#118 Checking in on the Western Hemisphere

The 2025 USA Rice Outlook Conference was a record-setting success. One widely-attended session on the FMC Stage was "Brewing and Beyond." Michael Klein was joined by food scientist Dr. Scott Lafontaine, Exceedient Foods' Derek Alarcon, and from J.T. Meleck Distillers Emily Meyers. From rice varieties and gel temps to flavor profiles and being a whiskey taster, the panel unpacked a lot of innovation. Learn more at: www.exceedientfoods.com  www.food-science.uark.edu  www.jtmeleck.com  @jtmeleck2.0   With special guests: Dr. Scott Lafontaine, University of Arkansas Center for Beverage Innovation and Derek Alarcon, Exceedient Foods, Farmers' Rice Cooperative, and Emily Meyers, J.T. Meleck Distillers   Hosted by: Michael Klein

Crafting a global marketing strategy for U.S.-grown rice is a heavy lift. Hosts Michael Klein and first-time co-host Cameron Jacobs dive into international marketing with Corey Hayes and Liz Deets, co-founders of Get Back Here Dog, the full service agency working with USA Rice. They discuss creating a global digital playbook everyone can draw from no matter the market and how authenticity, strategy and a love of rice fuel their creative approach. With special guests: Liz Deets, Co-founder, Get Back Here Dog and Corey Hayes, Co-founder, Get Back Here Dog Hosted by: Michael Klein and Cameron Jacobs

Michael Klein was back in Crowley, Louisiana for the 88th International Rice Festival and has returned with interviews with the Chef De Riz, the Rice Farmer of the Year, the 87th and 88th International Rice Festival Queens, and guest judges and USA Rice members Kirk and Bridget Satterfield and Jim and Lesli Whitaker. Deborah Willenborg sits in the cohost chair with recollections of past festivals. With special guests: Katherine Richard, 2025 Chef de Riz Eric Unkle, 2025 Rice Farmer of the Year Alana Abshire, 87th International Rice Festival Queen Ansley Dawson, 88th International Rice Festival Queen Kirk Satterfield, Mississippi Rice Farmer Bridget Satterfield Jim Whitaker, Arkansas Rice Farmer Lesli Whitaker   Hosted by: Michael Klein and Deborah Willenborg

USA Rice's Chain Engagement Program brings U.S.-grown rice concepts and information to restaurant operators of all sizes. It also brings culinary and marketing teams to farms and mills to make deeper connections. In October 2025, USA Rice brought a team from the Salad Collective, operators of Mad Greens, Snappy Salads, and Tokyo Joe's, to California during harvest. Their schedule was packed, touring Farmers' Rice Cooperative, Christine Wylie's seed operation, and Charley Mathews Jr's dryer and farm, as well as seeing wildlife and water management up close. Michael was on the tour and sat down with Cameron Jacobs to talk about the concepts as well as tour participants. With special guests: Chef Jeff DiSanto, Director of Culinary, Salad Collective, Dawn Whittenburg, Director of Marketing, Tokyo Joe's, and Cameron Jacobs, VP of Domestic Promotion, USA Rice Hosted by: Michael Klein and Deborah Willenborg

The 2025 National Association of State Departments of Agriculture held their annual meeting in Northwest Arkansas. The event brought ag commissioners and secretaries from all 50 states and several territories, as well as delegations from major trading partners, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for several days of policy meetings, networking, and more. Michael caught up with Louisiana's Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain and Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture and event host Wes Ward for on the spot reports. With special guests: Dr. Mike Strain, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry and Wes Ward, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Hosted by: Micheal Klein

How are Texas rice farmers battling an insect that's devastating their crops? In this urgent episode, experts detail the impact of the invasive rice delphacid and its link to a major plant virus. Get insights from farmers, researchers and entomologists on current challenges, control methods, and why this pest is a growing threat across the Southern U.S. Don't miss this revealing look at rice farming under siege. With special guests: Dr. Lina Bernaola, Entomologist, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Dr. Sam Rustom, Weed Scientist, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Cliff Mock, Texas rice farmer & crop consultant Hosted by: Steve Linscombe and Michael Klein

It's the most wonderful time of year: National Rice Month! This year is the 35th Anniversary and co-hosts Michael Klein and Asiha Grigsby are joined by USA Rice's Cameron Jacobs and Deborah Willenborg to talk all things NRM. From newsletters, influencers, and the 10th annual NRM Video Scholarship contest, to restaurant partners Fuzzy's Taco Shop and Rock N Roll Sushi, and shelf talkers in 1,000 supermarkets, it will be difficult to avoid NRM messaging! Plus, cook offs, massive rice donations, and a sneak peek of the all new U.S. jasmine ad campaign. Dig in and Think Rice! www.thinkrice.com/jasmine www.reelricecontest.com www.youtube.com/@TheUsaRiceFederation With special guests: Cameron Jacobs, USA Rice and Deborah Willenborg, USA Rice Hosted by: Michael Klein and Asiha Grigsby

Host Michael Klein sits down with USA Rice Chair and Producers Rice Mill CEO Keith Glover to discuss trade, tariffs, export trends, market disruption, sustainability, and more. From reciprocal tariff policies to freight rail performance, Glover covers the challenges and opportunities confronting the U.S. rice industry. With special guest: Keith Glover, President & CEO Producers Rice Mill, Chair USA Rice Hosted by: Michael Klein

Aisha Grigsby takes Michael on a tour of the rice export markets she manages for USA Rice. It's a deep dive into dynamic marketing strategies in Mexico, Central America, South America, Haiti, and Canada. She talks about VR games, chef influencers, consumer preferences, data insights and more. With special guest: Asiha Grigsby, USA Rice Hosted by: Michael Klein

Michael welcomes USA Rice's Jake Westlin back to explain why agriculture is excited about H.R. 1, aka Budget Reconciliation aka The Big Beautiful Bill. From more realistic reference prices and increased support for trade promotion to farm financials and conservation programs, Jake explains it all. He even gets Michael to (kind of) understand crop insurance and base acres. With special guest: Jake Westlin, Vice President of Government Affairs, USA Rice Hosted by: Michael Klein