Best Productionagriculture Podcasts (2024)

1
#96 On the Road with Asiha Grigsby 32:20

7h ago32:20

32:20

USA Rice's Asiha Grigsby is just back from three weeks on the road for the industry, home for a few days, and then off again to talk U.S.-grown rice. We were able to snag a few minutes between trips with Rice's Western Hemisphere Road Warrior to hear about her work promoting U.S. rice and how she fosters vital relationships with importers. With spe…

1
#95 Leadership Lessons 38:23

21d ago38:23

38:23

The U.S. rice industry keeps leadership fresh with regular rotations. At the 2024 USA Rice summer business meetings, Chair and Mississippi rice farmer Kirk Satterfield passed the gavel to Arkansas miller Keith Glover. And on the milling side of the house, Louisiana's Meryl Kennedy passed the Rice Millers' Association leadership to California's Rick…

1
#94 The 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show 1:01:40

1M ago1:01:40

1:01:40

Summer means field days and food shows. Lesley talks briefly about the Eagle Lake, TX Field Day, while Michael brought back interviews and samples from the Specialty Food Association’s 68th Annual Fancy Food Show that featured lots of U.S.-grown rice. He talked rice with people from Fancypants Baking Company, Olivia’s Croutons, Hillside Lane Farms,…

1
#93 Catching Up With Rice Research, the Farm Bill, and the USA Rice Intern 57:45

2M ago57:45

57:45

Dr. Steve Linscombe reports on the 2024 International Temperate Rice Conference he organized that brought researchers from around the world to New Orleans. Then Michael and Lesley talk with Jamison Cruce about the status of the 2024 Farm Bill, and round out the show with an exit interview of USA Rice intern Caroline Hardy, heading back to LSU to fi…

1
#92 Rice: It’s Not Just for Dinner 1:04:41

2M ago1:04:41

1:04:41

Michael and Lesley explore some non-table uses of rice from pet food to panko and from snacks to sake. They are joined by Rick Rhody and Rodrigo Batista from Farmers' Rice Cooperative and Exceedient Foods; farmer and marketing expert Ali Cox of Noble West; and Dallas Anthony and Robert Smith from Stabil Nutrition. They talk about the bright future …

1
#91 Being a MyPlate National Strategic Partner 35:40

3M ago35:40

35:40

USDA's MyPlate program is a vital public health program designed to help Americans eat healthy, balanced diets. Strategic Partners, like USA Rice, amplify important nutrition messages. USDA's Dr. Caree Cartwright and Yetunde Akingbemi join Michael, Lesley, and Cameron to talk new nutrition education. Also, does anyone remember Time for Timer? With …

1
#90 Rice Roots in South Carolina 54:52

3M ago54:52

54:52

In this episode, hosts Michael Klein, Lesley Dixon, and Dr. Steve Linscombe delve into rice farming in South Carolina, from the 1700s to today. They cover rice's role in shaping the character of the American South, the unique requirements of farming rice in an east coast tidal region, and the recent resurgence of Carolina Gold. Guests from White Ho…

1
#89 Taking a Victory Lap: Celebrating Successes in the Rice Industry 40:38

4M ago40:38

40:38

High performing people & organizations often don’t celebrate their victories before tackling the next project. We take a breath for this episode to focus on important successes in the industry that benefit us all. First, Adam Shea of Riceland Foods is back, and he’s brought Austin Brown to talk about their Carbon Ready Program that is saving water,…

1
#88 Addressing Grain Characteristic Concerns With FECARROZ 40:15

4M ago40:15

40:15

Latin America is an important destination for U.S.-grown rice, but consumers there have different expectations for their rice than U.S. consumers. In this episode, Michael & Lesley talk about this with Sarah Moran, Chief Operating Officer at USA Rice. Meanwhile, Asiha Grigsby sat down with Kamal Dieck, President of FECARROZ, the Central American Ri…

1
#87 Sake All Day 37:45

5M ago37:45

37:45

The Rice Stuff's most prolific recurring guest, Cameron Jacobs, tells Michael and Lesley all about his adventures at the American Craft Sake Fest in Hot Springs, AR. Turns out, sake brewed with U.S.-grown rice pairs well with almost everything. Plus: sumo wrestlers! With special guests: Weston Konishi, President, Sake Brewers Association of North A…

1
#86 Rice Pest Research 45:08

5M ago45:08

45:08

Humans aren't the only creatures who love to eat rice, which is why the work of entomologists like Dr. Blake Wilson of the LSU Ag Center and Dr. Lina Bernaola of Texas A&M Agrilife Research is so important. In this episode, USA Rice's Dr. Steve Linscombe sits down with these two experts to discuss unwelcome guests in rice fields, from stink bugs to…

1
#85 Can Rice Be Fancy? 50:52

6M ago50:52

50:52

Members of the Specialty Food Association (SFA) create high-end foods and drinks. Rice is often found as an ingredient, but why not take the spotlight? Michael went to SFA’s Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas last month to ask this question and sample fancy food. He's back to talk about his observations with Lesley and share an interview with California …

1
#84 USA Rice's Climate Smart Commodity Grants 26:27

6M ago26:27

26:27

In 2022, USDA announced Climate Smart Commodity grants, with the USA Rice - Ducks Unlimited - National Black Growers Council application receiving the highest score and $80 million. Throughout 2023, the details of the program were negotiated and sign ups are about to open. USA Rice's Director of Grower Relations and the Rice Stewardship Partnership…

1
#83 Ag Labor, Wages, and the H-2A Program 30:24

7M ago30:24

30:24

U.S. agriculture is facing a major labor shortage and increasingly relies on foreign workers to keep food on our tables. The government program designed to help is complex, confusing, and confounding in many aspects. Ag labor expert Kristi Boswell with Alston & Bird law firm conducted a session on the topic at the 2023 USA Rice Outlook Conference. …

1
#82 2023 USA Rice Outlook Conference Wrap Up 44:24

8M ago44:24

44:24

The 2023 USA Rice Outlook Conference took place in early December in Indian Wells, California. Rice industry members from around the world gathered to network and learn from dozens of speakers on as many important topics. Michael and Lesley talk highlights and play clips from several education sessions, though they only scratched the surface. With …

1
#81 The Importance and Success of Rice Trade Missions 50:30

9M ago50:30

50:30

With about half of the annual U.S. rice crop exported every year, maintaining & expanding overseas markets and finding new ones is a critical function for USA Rice. Reverse trade missions are an important tool for our export experts. One such expert, Ashia Grigsby, joins us to talk about a recently completed mission she led through the mid-South wi…

1
#80 The 86th International Rice Festival 1:16:26

9M ago1:16:26

1:16:26

Once again, Michael attended the International Rice Festival (IRF) in Crowley, Louisiana and lived to tell the tale. Lesley & Michael discuss the interviews he brought back with the 86th IRF Rice Queen and her sister, the 84th IRF Rice Queen (the Hardy Girls); the 2023 IRF Rice Farmers of the Year, Julie & Christian Richard; the Junior Farmer of th…

1
#79 Preview of the 2023 USA Rice Outlook Conference 40:01

10M ago40:01

40:01

The 2023 USA Rice Outlook Conference is fast approaching. The team talks about the many changes that have been made to improve the experience of attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors. Education sessions to improve your bottom line, speakers to tackle important issues, awards, and a golf tournament for The Rice Foundation...all against the beautiful b…

1
#78 Cornering India 47:17

11M ago47:17

47:17

India continues to unapologetically flaunt WTO obligations, and their On-again/Off-again rice export bans are wreaking havoc on global markets, prices, and with food insecure countries in Asia & Africa. Congress has taken steps to pressure the Biden Administration to force India to shape up. Joining the podcast to talk about it is our own Peter Bac…

1
#77 The Whole (Grain) Truth 39:27

11M ago39:27

39:27

USA Rice is a founding member of the Oldways Whole Grains Council, and in this episode, we check in with Kelly LeBlanc, VP of Nutrition for Oldways who shares results of a recent consumer survey her group conducted that looks into American understanding of nutrition, whole grains like brown rice, and the Whole Grain Stamp as a symbol of healthy eat…

1
#76 A Carolina Comeback for Rice 57:07

12M ago57:07

57:07

U.S. rice got its start more than 300 years ago in the coastal region of the Carolinas and many are once again growing the heirloom varieties that made the region the first rice capital of the U.S. First, Michael & Lesley talk with Craig Sasser, refuge manager at Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge that includes the Hasty Point Plantation and their s…

1
#75 A Walk on the Wild (Rice) Side 39:39

1y ago39:39

39:39

Maybe you know wild rice isn’t technically rice, but do you know where and how wild rice is grown? Processed? Do you know the top market for wild rice? Or what kind of special nutrition punch wild rice packs? Elise Oliver, Director of Operations and Research for the California Wild Rice Advisory Board joins Lesley and Cameron to answer those and ot…

1
#74 The Difficulties of Moving Rice by Rail 48:49

1y ago48:49

48:49

Rice is moved by road, rail, & water. Each mode of transport has advantages and drawbacks, but poor service is making rail a costly and frustrating option. Keith Glover, president & CEO of Producers Rice Mill, has been running point for the industry on holding Class 1 railroads accountable. He comes by to offer history and an update. Also, Michael …

1
#73 Consumer Habits and How to Interpret Them 52:02

1y ago52:02

52:02

Michael is back from the 2023 Fancy Food Show and the Rice Millers' Association Convention where he visited with experts to talk about consumer trends. First, he attended a session with Dwight Richmond, Director of Center Store at Town & Country Markets Inc, to hear his thoughts on how and why he buys for his stores. Then Michael sat down with Emil…

1
#72 From Seed to Sip with Anheuser-Busch 38:57

1y ago38:57

38:57

Anheuser-Busch is the largest user of U.S.-grown rice and they have a special relationship with farmers – especially in Arkansas. Lesley got out of the Texas heat to go up to Jonesboro and the 2nd Annual Discovery Farm Showcase where she met and interviewed rice farmer Eric Vaught, U of AR researcher Trent Roberts, a Budweiser Clydesdale, and A-B’s…

1
#71 The Ins and Outs of Organic Rice 39:07

1y ago39:07

39:07

We’re talking organic rice again. This time, Lesley shares interviews she conducted at a Texas rice event a few months ago. Bob Whitney with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Dr. Alvaro Durand-Murat at the University of Arkansas shared their thoughts and new exciting research they are undertaking in organic rice production. Then Michael …

1
#70 Is the WTO Relevant to the U.S. Rice Industry? 1:03:09

1y ago1:03:09

1:03:09

Rice is the most manipulated commodity in the world and U.S. rice exporters and farmers are at the mercy of governments that make no secret of their WTO violations. The industry would like the U.S. government to take a case against India to the WTO – but our two recent victories against China have had little impact – so is it worth it? Craig Thorn …

1
#69 DNA Markers and Rice Variety Development 1:01:31

1y ago1:01:31

1:01:31

All U.S. rice is GMO free. However the use of non-GMO DNA marker technologies has greatly improved the rice breeding process in recent years. Are these scientific breakthroughs making things easier for researchers? Are we on the path to The. Perfect. Variety? Leaders in the field from RiceTec and LSU join the podcast to talk about the technology an…

1
#68 2023 Farm Bill Update - Hearings 20:20

1+ y ago20:20

20:20

Congress is deep into hearings for the 2023 Farm Bill and USA Rice has been providing witnesses to both the House and the Senate. Our own Jamison Cruce, who helps our witnesses prepare, stops by to talk about two recent hearings - one of conservation and one on the commodity title - and explain what the rice industry is hoping to achieve in the new…

1
#67 Embedded With the Rice Leadership Development Class 41:48

1+ y ago41:48

41:48

The Rice Leadership Development Program is extremely exclusive, and each year 5 farmers and 2 rice industry reps start their 2-year journey. Neither Michael nor Lesley would come close to qualifying – but Lesley was able to play the “media card” and join the new class on the first leg of their trip through Texas. She reports on the experience, incl…

1
#66 School Nutrition, Rice, and Healthy Eating Habits 43:50

1+ y ago43:50

43:50

School nutrition has come a long way in recent decades and U.S.-grown rice plays an important part because it's affordable, nutritious, and widely accepted. Two members of USA Rice's K-12 Chef Advisory Board, Chef Jason Hull and RDN Bettina Applewhite, join the podcast to talk about feeding kids and instilling positive dietary habits with rice. Mic…

1
#65 Free Trade in Central America 27:09

1+ y ago27:09

27:09

The CAFTA-DR is the free trade agreement between the United States and Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. As with agreements of this type, tariffs have been heading lower and in 2023 we entered into a period of actual free trade for rice with the countries. USA Rice’s Peter Bachmann and Sarah Moran …

1
#64 Rice & the 2023 Farm Bill 38:32

1+ y ago38:32

38:32

The 2023 Farm Bill is expected to be a $1.7 trillion piece of legislation (that's "trillion" with a T). Less than 20 percent actually finds its way to U.S. farms so making the case why you need attention can be "do-or-die." Fresh off a Farmer Fly-in, USA Rice Senior Director Jamison Cruce joins us to talk about rice's legislative priorities for thi…

1
#63 Sitting Down With Sara Moulton 1:06:21

1+ y ago1:06:21

1:06:21

Celebrity Chef Sara Moulton’s path to TV stardom is fascinating. In this wide-ranging conversation she talks with Michael and Lesley about the journey, where home chefs go wrong, her favorite cooking utensils, meal kits, her new book “Sara Moulton’s Home Cooking 101,” and her current TV show, Sara’s Weeknight Meals, that actually brought her to ric…

1
#62 Catching Up With Texas and Arkansas 40:53

1+ y ago40:53

40:53

In January, Lesley and Michael attended rice events in Texas and Arkansas where the industry gathered to talk about the year ahead and other important issues. They took the opportunity to visit with meeting attendees about water, the Farm Bill, the crop outlook, and on-farm alternative energy. With special guests: Debbie Hoffpauir, Texas rice farme…

1
#61 Inside the Minds of Rice Consumers 37:21

1+ y ago37:21

37:21

Brands and industries around the world spend millions of dollars to understand what makes consumers tick. On this episode, Michael and Lesley talk to USA Rice's Cameron Jacobs about the latest consumer research he has that peels back protective layers to tell us, what consumers who eat rice are thinking about when they do. Plus there's this. With s…

1
#60 Farming Organic Rice 41:31

1+ y ago41:31

41:31

At the 2022 USA Rice Outlook Conference, Dr. Steve Linscombe moderated a panel on organic rice farming with three experienced growers from different parts of the country. They then sat down and recorded a conversation about the unique challenges organic rice farming presents on an already challenging crop. From soil type to yield, and from varietie…

1
#59 2022 USA Rice Outlook Conference Highlights 44:36

1+ y ago44:36

44:36

The 2022 USA Rice Outlook Conference was held in Austin, Texas from December 6-9. Michael and Lesley took their field recorders along and caught up with presenters, award winners, and others to talk about the exciting event. Be sure to check out the USA Rice YouTube page to see Cole's video and all the winning entries. With special guests: Milo Ham…

1
#58 Climate Change - Part Four of Five - Consumers 58:38

1+ y ago58:38

58:38

Our Climate Change series continues with a look at where consumers fit in to the discussion. Michael and Lesley are joined by Jordan Marlatt from intelligence decision company Morning Consult and scientist and writer Steve Savage. Marlatt discusses his company’s recently released Sustainability Survey and how the food and beverage sector scored wit…

1
#57 The 85th International Rice Festival 47:15

2y ago47:15

47:15

Each October, tens of thousands of people descend on Crowley, Louisiana to celebrate rice. There's music, a carnival, a cooking contest, multiple parades, rice threshing demonstrations, and of course, the competition for the title of International Rice Festival Queen. Michael was at the festival again and comes back with this report. With special g…

1
#56 Latin America, Haiti, and the United Kingdom 45:44

2y ago45:44

45:44

About 50 percent of rice grown in the U.S. is exported to 120 countries around the globe. The vast majority goes to consumers in the western hemisphere, so very appropriate that Asiha Grigsby, who oversees rice promotions in the region joined us to talk about her recent trip to Peru and the delegation of Central Americans she hosted in the mid-Sout…

1
#55 Senators and Statistics 56:59

2y ago56:59

56:59

U.S. Senator John Boozman, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and major U.S. rice supporter, joins the podcast to talk about challenges facing rice farmers, the looming Farm Bill, bipartisanship, educating people with no farm experience, and what percentage of Americans have never seen a cow. But first, Michael and Lesley sit down w…

1
#54 The Problem With Feral Hogs 42:49

2y ago42:49

42:49

Feral hogs are an invasive species that cause millions of dollars in damage to agriculture every year. Wildlife experts William Futch of USDA/APHIS and Glen Gentry of the LSU AgCenter join our own Steve Linscombe and Arkansas rice farmer Jim Whitaker to talk about this growing problem and how it is being dealt with, from traps and poison, to huntin…

1
#53 National Rice Month 2022 58:19

2y ago58:19

58:19

September is National Rice Month and Whole Grains Month, and this episode is jam packed. Louisiana’s Robbie Trahan, Mississippi’s Laura Jane Giaccaglia, and Arkansas’ Becky Barnes Campbell and Kelly Robbins share how our mighty grain is celebrated in their states. The Whole Grains Council’s Kelly LeBlanc joins to talk nutrition messaging, and our o…

1
#52 Leadership in the Rice Industry 45:08

2y ago45:08

45:08

Michael went on location to interview PJ Haynie (@PJHaynieIII), farmer and owner of the new Arkansas River Rice Mill in Pine Bluff, AR, and talked about representation, equity, and community in agriculture. Meanwhile, Dr. Steve Linscombe and Lesley discuss the ins and outs of the Rice Foundation Leadership Development Program and its role in creati…

1
#51 The Secret Life of Groceries 57:13

2y ago57:13

57:13

Today’s supermarkets have come a long way from their humble beginnings as General Stores. The grocery choices facing U.S. consumers are unparalleled and the system that delivers fresh and clean food to every corner of the country is nothing short of a modern miracle. Benjamin Lorr, author of “The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the Am…

1
#50 Ducks in Texas and Trends on the Internet 45:59

2y ago45:59

45:59

Deep in the dog days of summer, Michael and Lesley have done some rice travel, taking along their trusty field recorders. First, Lesley attended the Eagle Lake, TX field day where she caught up with Kirby Brown and other Ducks Unlimited experts to talk drought, water management, and wildlife. And in windy CA, Michael sat down with former Google exe…

1
#49 Koji Mold, Sake, and You 59:37

2y ago59:37

59:37

Lesley went on location for this episode to talk about koji, the official mold of Japan, with chef Jeremy Umansky (@TMGastronaut) who co-wrote "Koji Alchemy" and uses koji in his Jewish-style delicatessen in Ohio. She also went to Texas Sake Company (@txsakeco) in Austin to talk about their Lone Star State take on the popular Japanese drink. Lesley…

1
#48 Cuba: ¡dale, Vamos a La Isla! 37:07

2y ago37:07

37:07

Cuba was at one time the largest export market for U.S.-grown rice, but the Kennedy Administration’s embargo of The Island brought an end to that. And 60 years later, we’re still feeling the effects: a food crisis in Cuba and a reliable, close export market gone. This episode looks at the current situation with U.S.-Cuban trade. Special guests Paul…

1
#47 Innovations That Have Revolutionized the Rice Industry 1:11:33

2y ago1:11:33

1:11:33

Agriculture is at the intersection of science, determination, and good fortune – and innovation keeps everything moving forward. Two renowned rice scientists, Dr. Eric Webster and Dr. Steve Linscombe, join this episode to talk about important rice innovations. From the way rice is planted to the environmental impact of raising a crop, and even to h…

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