The Rice Stuff

USA Rice's Eszter Somogyi joins the show today all the way from Hamburg, Germany to talk about the U.S. rice promotions she oversees from Accra to Zarqa and spots in between. She'll cover the varied customs of her customers, their rice preferences, and the one thing that unites them all whether they are in the UK, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, or someplace else. Michael and Lesley also talk about past tra...

Achieving sustainability goals is a group effort. The U.S. rice industry is fortunate to have a lot of great partners helping make their collective vision a reality. Representatives from Riceland Foods, Anheuser-Busch, and Indigo Ag join the podcast today to talk with Lydia about how they are working with rice industry leaders to make the world a better place. Join Adam Shea, Bill Jones, and Cody...

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, shop, and eat. It's also changed the way USA Rice promotes the rice industry. Director of Domestic Promotion Cameron Jacobs joins the podcast to talk about the great pandemic promotion pivot and the role U.S.-grown rice can play as the battered restaurant industry stages a comeback. Michael and Lesley also ask listeners to let them know about loca...

Rice fields are unique amongst row crops in that they sustain so much wildlife. From birds to invertebrates and now even fish – hundreds of species of critters call these working fields home. U.S. rice farmers know this and actually count on it, so they do everything they can to support it. Hosts Lydia Holmes and Dr. Steve Linscombe are joined by California rice farmer Leo LaGrande and Ducks Unlim...

At any given time upward of 50 countries are receiving vital food aid from the United States, and with experts describing today's global humanitarian crises as "biblical," now is the time to learn about food aid programs and how rice can help. USA Rice food aid consultant Rebecca Bratter joins the podcast to talk about global hotspots, COVID-19, the different types of aid, and how rice makes a big...

Roughly half of U.S.-grown rice is exported to 130 countries with most of it destined for a Western Hemisphere location – Mexico, Canada, Central America, or Haiti. USA Rice's international promotion gurus, Sarah Moran & Asiha Grigsby join the podcast to talk about their work, goals, & outcomes, as well as to explore opportunities & threats on the horizon. Michael and Lesley also look at rice dish...

Anyone in the U.S. rice industry will tell you they are proud of their industry's sustainability record and credentials. But for many consumers and customers, the proof is in the pudding. Meet the keepers and compilers of the proof points that guarantee when you "Think Sustainable" you should "Think U.S. rice." Dr. Steve Linscombe and Lydia Holmes join Michael and Lesley to talk about the industry...

Lesley visited The Voice of the Farmer Garden on the National Mall in Washington, DC to see if The Farm Journal Foundation will be able to grow rice steps away from the Capitol Building and the White House. It's not as unlikely as it might sound. Plus, Brandon Harder from Farmers' Rice Cooperative in Sacramento stopped by to talk about the importance of storytelling and why this podcast is on bran...

During each episode, your hosts Michael and Lesley will explore the world of U.S.-grown rice through the eyes of the people who know it best – farmers, millers, researchers, marketers, exporters and end-users. Whether it's amazing achievements in sustainability and conservation, exciting promotional strategies, or innovative technology, we'll get deep into the weeds to tell the story of U.S. Wheth...