Northeast Arkansas Merchandiser and Clay County Courier, September 17 and 18, 2014

Arkansas leadsthe nation in

rice production!

September isNational Rice Month

Northeast Arkansas Merchandier and Clay County Courier, September 17 and 18, 2014 - Page 2

“Thank You”to all Area Rice Farmers

who help to feed the world.We support your efforts!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Goodman Drug• Free Delivery (insiDe City limits)

• ACCept most mAjor insurAnCe • ArkAnsAs & missouri meDiCAiD

1109 West mAin street • Corning

870-857-0551M-F 8:30 a.M.-5:30 p.M.; Sat. 9 a.M. - 1 p.M.

From the Field, to theMarket, to the Store!

We appreciatethe Rice Farmers!

1300 Creason Road

Corning870-857-3399

We salute the Rice FaRmeRs oF the aRea!

Watson oil Co.406 East First • Corning, AR

857-6366 • 857-3929

Thanks for

helpingto feed

our world.City of CorningMayors Office & City Hall

408 W. Main StreetCorning

870-857-6001

Thank You Area

Rice FarmersWe appreciate your hard work

and dedication.

Thank you to the

Area Rice Farmers who help feed the world.

The Cleaners408 W. Elm Street • Corning

Shop 870-857-6665 Cell 501-454-5077Charlene • Kim

The Rice Farmers of Americahold our future in their hands

BassConstruCtion, inC.

Tony Bryan

870-215-1872 870-215-3808

In support of farmers . . .From USA Rice Daily and USA Rice Federation

“In the days before the In-ternet, it was difficult to really know how the general public felt about any certain issue be-cause, except for the occasion-al letter to the editor, feedback from the public was scarce to non-existent.

It’s nearly impossible to read an article about the Farm Bill, farm spending or the farm safety net and not see a comment section pep-pered with questions revolv-ing around the issue of why farmers deserve some degree of taxpayer support. That is a fair question, and it deserves to be answered.

The reason why the govern-ment - both federal and state - has always been involved and should continue to be in-volved in the agriculture sector uniquely comes down to two simple words: food security.

There is a fundamental need for nations to have the capac-ity to feed their citizens and not rely on foreign powers, which can sometimes change their allegiance, to provide such basic necessities as food. If you doubt this statement, think about how uncomfort-able many Americans are with the thought of importing our energy needs.

For this reason, the roots of government involvement in U.S. agriculture are actually as old as the nation itself. Gov-ernment involvement began with the founding fathers of the nation and carries the fin-gerprints of other great Ameri-cans who followed.

In 1799, after years of colo-

nies and states granting tracts of land to citizens encouraging people to plant crops and begin commerce, George Washing-ton called for the establishment of the National Board of Agri-culture to collect information on the nation’s agricultural inventories. It was President Abraham Lincoln who estab-lished the USDA in 1862, a Department that has grown since then to include promot-ing agriculture trade, working to assure adequate and safe food and striving to end hunger in America and abroad.

But putting food security aside, there are still a number of things that set farming apart from other businesses.

First and foremost is agri-culture’s near-complete depen-dency on the weather. A crop represents a farmer’s source of income for a year, grown and cared for (an expensive endeavor) over the course of spring and summer, but can be completely ruined by one nasty hail storm in the fall. Take Iowa: in 2011, farmers saw historic flooding along the Missouri River, wiping out tens of thousands of acres of prime farmland. In 2012, the state suffered its worst drought in decades, triggering enor-mous financial losses.

You must also consider the economics of farming com-modities. In a nutshell, and as the saying goes, “farmers are price takers, not price mak-ers.” They produce a commod-ity that is sold to processors who turn it into the things we eat. Yes, some farmers can try

to distinguish their products from others, thus justifying a larger margin at sale, but the foundation of the food supply is staples like corn, wheat, soy-beans and rice. Additionally, prices for these commodities are set by the world supply and demand, not the local market, making their bottom lines very susceptible to the policies of other nations, which are gen-erally far more tilted toward their farmers and against U.S. farmers.

Over the last decade, gov-ernment involvement in agri-culture has slowly decreased and has turned from a direct as-sistance paradigm largely into crop insurance, which must be purchased by the individual farmer. Unlike programs of the past, when farmers sign up for crop insurance, they get a bill, not a check. And unlike programs of the past, farmers can only collect a crop insur-ance indemnity if they suffer a verifiable loss.

The government’s limited role and keen interest in agri-culture is and always has been necessitated by the fact that if our citizens do not have access to ample, affordable and safe food, the country cannot pros-per.

There’s a “thin green line” of only 210,000 full-time U.S. farms that produce more than 80 percent of our food and fi-ber. These farms are family en-terprises facing tight margins to feed more and more con-sumers. They are vital to our well-being and they deserve our support.

These students are spell-bound as Terry Walley points to many fuel connections and tells how each is used in distribution of fuel to the farm.

Billy Jones talks with students gathered around a Success Grain, Inc., spray rig on display at Central El-ementary School earlier this month.

Planting rice is a science(From USA Rice Federation)

American farmers consistently produce a dependable supply of the highest quality rice in the world. Long gone are the days of ox- and mule-drawn equipment in the marshes of South Carolina. Gone too is the reliance upon sea-sonal rains, as is still the case in many other rice-producing coun-tries. Rice farming in America has become a precise science, a

world of specialized equipment, lasers and computers.

Today, land planes scrape and shift the soil to level the land. Heavy equipment makes light work of building even fields that gently slope, enabling uniform flooding and controlled draining. Laser guidance systems deter-mine where water control levees will be placed. In early spring, acres of seeds are quickly planted to an exact depth by grain drills, or cast over dry or flooded fields by airplane.

Gravity guides fresh water, pumped from deep wells, nearby rivers, canals or reservoirs to provide a constant water depth on the field of two to three inch-es during the growing season. And, to ensure a consistent and healthy crop, fertilizers are even-ly applied from the air.

When the rice is mature, the water is drained from the fields. Sophisticated combines cut the rice, separating the grain from the stalk, and funnel it into trucks for transporting to dryers. At large commercial installations or small drying facilities on the farm, forced warm, dry air grad-ually removes moisture from the grain to a level suitable for stor-age. When sold, the rice will be transported to a rice mill.

Northeast Arkansas Merchandier and Clay County Courier, September 17 and 18, 2014 - Page 3

Hwy 67 west • Corning • 870-857-6682

Harvest Hours of operation

7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. monday-Friday; 7:00 a.m.-12:00 noon Saturday

emergenCy Hours: parts (aFter hourS) 573-717-6334 serviCe (aFter hourS) 870-450-1731

pleaSe leave a meSSage and we will call you back!

Augers Pumps

Jerome Sollis Jerry Sollis Alan Sollis 857-6594 857-3429 857-6441

We Salute the rice industry andour many Farm Friends in Clay County

Universal BUildersMetal Buildings are Our specialty!

310 N. Missouri AveNue

CorNiNg, ArkANsAs

857-3841

Mon.-Sat. 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun. 5:30 a.m.-2 p.m.Owner: Jo VanNada Manager: Amy Jordan

1615 W. Main • Corning • 857-6884

Thank you for helping to feed our world.

The Rice Farmers of Americahold our future in their hands

Tien Trading Co.F. B. Manatt

1011 N. Missouri Ave., Corning AR 870-857-3726

John Ethan Swint was among the first to stand behind the hand-painted mural with a cut-out for his face, as if he was driving a tractor and waving.

Fourth-graders are given a cup of delicious rice treat as part of their assemble at Central Elementary School.

Local farmers can make a differenceThanks to the help of lo-

cal farmers, over the past three years America’s Farmers Grow Communities has invested more than $13 million in rural Ameri-ca. Now in its fourth consecutive year, America’s Farmers Grow Communities will give farmers the opportunity to win a $2,500 donation for their favorite local nonprofit organizations.

Winning farmers have the opportunity to make a differ-ence in their own communities by enrolling and nominating a nonprofit organization of their choice. Over the past years, or-ganizations have used the fund-ing to purchase vital equipment, supplies and resources for the betterment of their community.

“Farmers have really stepped up to the plate since Grow Com-munities piloted in 2010 and have thoughtfully chosen thou-sands of deserving organizations to receive the $2,500 donation,” said Deborah Patterson, Mon-santo Fund president.

Each year in an effort to ex-pand the impact of Grow Com-munities throughout rural America, the Monsanto Fund evaluates new counties to be in-cluded in the program. Thanks to the addition of several new eligible counties this year, Grow Communities now reaches 1,300 counties across 39 states.

To make a difference in your community, register for a chance to donate to your favorite non-profit organization online at GrowCommunities.com. The deadline for eligible farmers to enter is November 30, 2013. In December, the Monsanto Fund will then select one winner at random in each eligible county, and announce winning farmers and recipient nonprofits in Janu-ary of next year.

Local winnersMonsanto has presented

checks to organizations and groups of this area on various occasions. These were presented to charities chosen by winning farmers.

In 2013, Angie and Larry Walker were winners with a total of $5,000 given by Mon-santo to the two recipients cho-sen by the Walkers: Knobel Fire Department and Peach Or-chard Fire Department received $2,500 each.

In 2011 Monsanto’s donation went to McDougal Fire Depart-ment, the organization chosen by winner Mark Williams who resides west of McDougal.

One year earlier, Steve Miller designated Knob Community Center to receive a $2,500 check for use on their projects. Miller farms between Boydsville and

Rector.

Again this yearNew to the “Grow Communi-

ties” program last year was the chance for community mem-bers to “plant” their ideas. Rural community members can visit the Grow Communities website and submit an idea or initia-tive in need of funding. Eligible farmers are able to review plant-ed ideas and consider them in their registrations.

Farmers have helped fund more than 5,200 nonprofit or-ganizations in rural America through America’s Farmers Grow Communities. Farmers and rural community members can now visit GrowCommuni-ties.com and register to win or submit an idea in need of fund-ing. This program is part of the Monsanto Fund’s overall effort to support rural communities.

For more information about this program and to view the of-ficial rules, please visit Grow-Communities.com.

The Monsanto Fund, the phil-anthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organi-zation dedicated to strengthen-ing the farm communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.

September rice promotions could earn scholarship awards

ments of the U.S. rice industry with a mission to promote and protect the interests of produc-ers, millers, merchants and allied businesses.

linary versatility of U.S. grown rice; 3) Economic importance of U.S. rice production and process-ing; 4) conservation and environ-mental benefits of the U.S. rice industry.

These activities must be con-ducted during September of this year.

For more information and a USA Rice Federation National Rice Month Scholarship Pro-gram entry form, visit the USA Rice Web site.

The USA Rice Federation is the global advocate for all seg-

High school seniors, Class of 2014-15, who include promo-tions for U.S.-grown rice in their back-to-school plans could earn up to $4,000 in the USA Rice Federation National Rice Month scholarship contest, sponsored by Dow AgroSciences.

To qualify, students must con-duct rice-themed promotions in their local communities during September and submit their en-try in early October 2014. The contest will take place in the six major rice-growing states of Arkansas, California, Louisi-ana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas.

Three scholarship prizes total-

ing $8,500 are available. The grand prize is a $4,000 scholar-ship and a trip for the winner and one chaperone to attend the USA Rice Outlook Conference in St. Louis, MO for the award presen-tation.

The second-place winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship and the third-place winner a $1,500 award.

Entries must be submitted by Oct. 11 and will be judged on creativity as well as effective-ness in promoting rice in the en-trants’ home states.

Other promotional activities may include 1) nutritional ben-efits of U.S. grown rice; 2) cu-

Northeast Arkansas Merchandier and Clay County Courier, September 17 and 18, 2014 - Page 4

2014 Rice HaRvest is undeRway!

It’s a great tIme of year

as the farmers reap rewards

of hard work.we are proud to be part

of your communIty!

Cate PharmaCy500 N. Missouri AveNue • CorNiNg

870-857-6766www.catepharmacy.com

Clay County Electric Co-op Corp.Your Local Energy Partner

www.claycountyelectric.com

Proudly serving our members with offices in

Corning - Pocahontas and Rector Like us on Facebook®

Your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative

Our heartfelt gratitude to the men and women who work to produce the food that feeds us all.

Salutingthe Rice induStRy

in clay county.J. Michael Vinson, cPa

521 Southwest Second StreetCorning • 870-857-6221

by Fred MartinCorning Central Elementary

fourth grade classrooms par-ticipated in special “September Rice Month” events with an assembly that was capped by

climbing onto harvesting equip-ment and enjoying a delicious rice dish.

Fourth grade instructor Lynn Bauschlicher arranged for guests to address the assembled group

in the school’s cafeteria.Les McCormic of Legacy

gave class members a history lesson on the origin of rice, how it came to the United States and it’s development into the most

important food in the world.He explained how many na-

tions depend on rice as the most reliable food on their menu, and how other nations produce much more rice than the United States to feed their population.

McCormic detailed how the John Deere equipment from Legacy is designed for rice har-vesting in the area and how it has improved over the years.

A video presentation showed students how farmers in Japan harvest with very small com-bines, equipment that covers just two or four-row each pass. This

was compared to the very large headers used by American farm-ers.

Legacy’s Blue Riggan ex-plained how much things had changed over the years as he compared prices from the 1970s to today. He also informed that each piece of equipment had im-proved greatly, making it easier and more efficient for today’s farming operations.

Later, Legacy personnel let the children examine the equip-ment on display and get the op-portunity to take turns sitting in-side a large combine.

Walley talks fuelTerry Walley of Watson Oil

talked about delivering fuel to the farm and how his truck, which is loaded with 2,500 gal-lons, has various kinds of fuel as required for different uses.

He also spent time answering questions, many of which re-quired one-word answers, except when he emphasized he had nev-er delivered fuel to China, even though China is one of the larg-est rice producers in the world.

Outside Walley showed the fuel truck and explained the fuel outlets used to transfer fuel to the farmers’ tanks.

Success Grain serves farmersGlenna Lane spoke briefly to

tell students of the services of-fered with spray-rigs from Suc-cess Grain, and how they covered a wide area, whenever farmers need them. She also stated that a large piece of farm equipment was just outside the cafeteria and could be seen and examined as students moved outside to get a close look at pieces on display.

She explained that Billy Jones would be able to show the equip-ment’s features and tell exactly how it works.

Rice dishNo assembly of fourth-graders

could be complete without some-thing delicious to eat. Students eagerly lined-up for a treat from Julie B’s of Corning that was made from a rice-based recipe.

Central 4th graders seerice equipment/videos/food

Les McCormic explains how rice harvesting varies from one country to another and how present day equip-ment set the pace for efficiency.

Fuel for tractors, trucks and combines is delivered to the farm, says Terry Walley of Watson Oil Company.

Glenna Lane talks about equipment used by Suc-cess Grain, Inc. while serving farmers.

Northeast Arkansas Merchandier and Clay County Courier, September 17 and 18, 2014 - Page 5

We Salute the Rice induStRyWe are proud to be a part of it!!

Soybeans, Wheat & Rice Seed3162 Highway 90Knobel, AR 72435

870-259-3231 or1-800-270-0340

Many of our residents have been associated with farming all their lives. We join them in saluting all farmers during National Rice Month . . .

We appreciate your hard work!

Corning Therapy & Living Center“Serving Others ~ Meeting Needs”

831 N. Missouri Avenue • Corning870-857-3100 • aburdin@reliancehealthcare.com

You’ll find it at carquest

auto parts stores

MidwestAuto PArts

301 West FirstCorning, AR • 857-3084

Thank you to allthe dedicated farmers!

Rick Davidson and June Brown stand beside the Davidson Farms truck loaded with rice, the first to arrive at Riceland in Corning this year.

Rice harvest begins . . . 1994When Riceland Foods of

Corning received word that three farmers planned to cut rice last Wednesday, they wait-ed to see who would drive to the scales first. Rick Davidson, after being nudged as the first truck in line last year, repeated

the feat of August 24, 1992, as he delivered this year’s first rice load to Riceland on Au-gust 24, 1994.

Planted on April 8, David-son’s 1,000-bushel load of Mil-lie variety was delivered with a moisture content of 19.6 percent.

It was harvested from the David-son Farm in Butler county, Mis-souri, located on the state line.

Before Davidson could pose for a picture, Billy Gilbee drove up with 500 to 600 bushels of Millie variety from the Morrisett Farms near McDougal.

Angie Edwards of Farm Bureau mingles with fourth grade students as they feel rice bran being shown during Central Elementary’s special assembly in early September.

Nikki Stadler and Amy Jordan of Parkview Restaurant are serving beef tips and rice to fourth grade stu-dents during a special “rice” assembly in Central Elementary School. While all children enjoyed the food, several said they had never eaten rice this way.

At the front of a fourth grade classroom, Danielle Francis talks about a special Arkansas AG Reader Rice magazine from Farm Bureau.

During a special assembly of fourth graders, students get the opportunity to touch and feel the rice plant as one was placed on each table at Central Elementary cafeteria.

USA Rice Federation serves America’srice farmers

The USA Rice Federation is the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry with a mis-sion to promote and protect the in-terests of producers, millers, mer-chants and allied businesses.

This representative organiza-tion works on behalf of the U.S. rice industry.

This organization is made up of the USA Rice Producers’ Group, the USA Rice Millers’ Associa-tion, the USA Rice Council and the USA Rice Merchants’ Asso-ciation. Each organization has a distinct identity and mission, over-seen by its own board of directors.

But when the membership sits down at the federation table, they come together as USA Rice. It is the place where they discuss, and sometimes debate, the critical is-sues that can make or break a vi-able U.S. rice industry.

USA Rice Federation rep-resents a commitment to con-sensus-building, to equipping the U.S. rice industry with the strength of a united voice.

This group is also the mecha-nism through which a full-scope program of work is carried out on behalf of the rice industry, funded by producers, millers and allied members through the member organizations. Each segment of the membership brings more than financial support to USA Rice. A wealth of varied experience and expertise enriches the representa-tive committee system.

Programs for domestic and in-ternational rice promotion, gov-ernment affairs, communications and member services are all op-erated with guidance from com-mittees composed of producers, millers and representatives from allied industries, who advise the board of directors. The board provides direction to the USA Rice staff, which implements programs and policies.

Northeast Arkansas Merchandier and Clay County Courier, September 17 and 18, 2014 - Page 6

Randy Covert - McDougal - 870-259-3266 Dave Harrell - St. Francis - 870-598-3201Luke Hollis - Piggott - 870-598-7902 Chad Donner - Mounds - 870-522-3305Matt Mauldin - LeGrand - 573-785-0916 Steve McChristian - Piggott - 870-598-2225Tony Lucius - Paragould - 870-215-0901 Joe Collins - Paragould - 870-215-0901

Wade Smart - Pollard - 870-544-2616Gary Dobbins - General Manager - 870-598-2225

Clay County Courier810 North Missouri Avenue • Corning, Arkansas • 857-3531

We support Clay County Rice Farmers!

We commend your hard work and dedication.

Billy D. Russom, D.D.S., P.A.Hospital Drive • Corning, Arkansas

870-857-3557

CongratulationsRice Producers on

another succesful year!

Harold’s BBQ & Catering1201 West Main Street - Corning

870-857-6166 or 857-2223400 West Fourth Street • Corning

“Congratulations to ALL Farmers”

West ClayAbStrACt & title CoMPANy

NatioNal Rice MoNthWe support the Rice Farmers and

appreciate your business!

310 South Washington • Corning • 857-6416

Les McCormic has everyone’s attention as he directs students interested in climbing about a John Deere combine and sitting in the driver’s seat.

Hwy 67 NorthCorning • 857-3756

We salute the Rice Farmersof the area

for all your hard work!

From the office of

Joe JettHouse of RepResentatives

State of Arkansas • District 79

rice is the most popular grain worldwide, feeding over half of the population. And over half of all the rice produced in the United States is harvested right here in Arkansas.

out of Arkansas’s 75 coun-ties, 50 of them contain rice fields. Since September is Na-tional rice Month, we would like to take this opportunity to tell you about how this tiny grain contributes a giant por-tion to our economy. this is also a good time to remind Arkansans about the health benefits that nutritionists have continued to discover in recent years and the positive environ-mental impacts we see from rice production.

Arkansas rice farmers and millers contribute more than $6 billion to the state’s economy annually and account for over 25,000 jobs, which are crucial to rural communities.

Arkansas grows rice on ap-proximately 1.3 million acres each year. With 44% of the na-tion’s rice farmers living in Ar-kansas, rice is the state’s sec-ond highest value commodity and the top agricultural export.

one half cup of rice costs ap-proximately 10 cents per serv-ing, so it is no wonder we are seeing an increase in demand.

in fact, Americans have dou-bled their consumption over the last 30 years.

that increase in consump-tion has lead to several studies on the dietary patterns of rice eaters. research shows rice eaters tend to make healthier choices than non-rice eaters.

those who consume at least a quarter-cup of rice per day tend to have a higher intakes of vegetables, fiber, iron and po-tassium, with lower intakes of total fat and saturated fat.

our state benefits from rice production in a multitude of ways. in Arkansas, managed rice fields and natural wetlands provide an important winter-ing area for North America’s waterbirds. the unique habi-tat is why Arkansas is known as the “duck-hunting” capitol of the world. the cost of re-placing existing rice habitat with managed natural wetlands would be more than $3.5 bil-lion.

rice farmers have also made significant efforts toward pro-tecting our natural resources. An industry study shows that over a 20-year period rice farmers have reduced water us-age by 32% and they have cut their energy usage in half.

We encourage you to pur-

chase locally grown rice. Just look for the Grown-in-the-USA label when shopping at your lo-cal grocery store.

Walk Your Way to Fitness

there is new help for all of the couch potatoes in America who think exercise involves too much time and energy. there is an easy way to get yourself moving and in shape - walking!

USA rice Council has put together a brochure that is full of good tips on how to keep yourself healthy.

Walking is fast becoming one of the most popular forms of exercise today. in fact, walk-ing at a brisk pace of 3.5 to 4.0 mph, about a 15-minute mile, burns almost as many calories as running at a moderate pace and results in the same health benefits with less stress on the knees. All you need to do is walk 30 minutes a day, and you don’t even have to get your workout all in one session.

Many experts agree that walking is the easiest, most convenient and safest aerobic exercise for most people. it can reduce body fat, firm figures, strengthen hearts and bring countless health benefits.”

rice is fat, sodium and cho-lesterol-free, so it is a perfect food for those trying to get in shape or stay there. it is also non-allergenic and gluten-free for those with special dietary needs. rice also contains com-plex carbohydrates to give you the energy to exercise.

Walking and rice go hand in hand and are a good way to get you on the road to a healthy lifestyle.

Arkansas Rice Depotfights hunger in state

Arkansas rice Depot’s “Food For Kids” program distributes food throughout Arkansas and Corning School District is a part-ner in this food distribution pro-gram.

each year, over 32,000 Arkan-sas school children are served as the Food For Kids program makes food available to take home. Statistics show that more than 145,000 Arkansas families face hunger every day and Ar-kansas rice Depot responds to this need with its statewide net-work of more than 250 church and community food pantries and more than 150 schools, distribut-ing almost four million pounds of food yearly.

the Arkansas rice Depot pro-vides new backpacks and “kid-friendly” ready-to-eat food to participating schools at no cost to the school.

through a principal-appoint-ed program coordinator, the food is distributed to students who display educational, physi-cal, or emotional problems at school due to hunger at home.

Arkansas rice Depot also pro-vides food and infant items for pregnant teens, teen moms and their babies to relieve some of the burden these young women face and increase the likeli-hood that they will finish high school.

Since all children’s hunger needs are not the same, some students may need food sent home in a backpack each night. others may only need food sent home on Friday for the week-end.

Quick facts about Arkansas rice Depot

• The Arkansas Rice Depot was formed in 1982 to combat hunger in Arkansas;

• The Rice Depot distributes over 8 million pounds of food and supplies a year;

• At the end of 2012, Arkansas rice Depot fed over 17% of the entire population of the state;

• With a small staff, more than 98% of budget is spent on pur-

chasing and distributing food to people living in poverty;

• Serves 900 hunger relief pro-grams in the state - the only faith based, statewide food bank net-work;

• Arkansas Rice Depot’s mis-sion is to find Sensible Solutions to Hunger in Arkansas.

Arkansas poverty facts• 18% of population live below

the Federal Poverty Average;• The 4th poorest state, 503,000

Arkansans live in poverty. More than 25% of those living in pov-erty are children;

• In fact, Arkansas has more hungry children than any other state in America;

• The average income of a Food For Seniors recipient is $79/month, after rent and utili-ties are paid;

• Food For Kids was the origi-nal backpack program. it was started in 1994 and adapted by organizations in 40 states nation-wide.

Arkansas rice Depot was es-tablished in little rock in the 1980s to feed hungry Arkansans and today it continues as a Chris-tian and humanitarian commit-ment.

Northeast Arkansas Merchandier and Clay County Courier, September 17 and 18, 2014 - Page 7

We Say “ThankS” To all our area rice FarmerS

at the heart of a GrowinG america

Marilyn, Trina, Brandon and

PaTrick lenderMan, Branch Manager

600 W. Elm • Corning

857-3541We appreciate serving you!

Farm Credit Midsouth

We Salute the

Rice Industry!

Wishing all Clay County farmers

a very successful harvest!

Clay County Farm Bureau 2504 West Main • Corning

870-857-6788221 South Thornton • Piggott

870-598-2824

September iS NatioNal rice moNth~ ~ ~ ~

We salute the hard working men and women of the farming industry.

Your efforts keep the world fed and we thank you.

May God Bless You!

Jim’s Tire & AuTo service500 W. Elm, Corning • 857-6266

Jim & Lynn vanNada & crew

Thank youto the area Rice Farmers.

410 N. Missouri • Corning

857-6000Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Monday-FridayLike us on Facebook

Coleman named 2014-15 Miss Arkansas RiceMadison Coleman of Brinkley

(Monroe County) was named 2014-15 Miss Arkansas Rice on Saturday at the Brinkley Conven-tion Center. Coleman will be a senior at Lee Academy in Mari-anna this fall. She is the daughter of Shannon Coleman of Brinkley.

Josie Brown of Wynne (Cross County) was first runner-up, and second runner-up was Anna Thrash of Conway (Faulkner County). Other county winners participating in the state finals were Lizzy Bronson of DeWitt (Arkansas County), Brittany Ro-edel of Jonesboro (Craighead County) and Gennie Bariola of Carlisle (Lonoke County).

The goal of the Miss Arkan-sas Rice program is to encourage interest in rice promotion and to publicize the importance of

the Arkansas rice industry to the state’s economy. Contestants were judged on their promotion activi-ties and knowledge of the rice in-dustry. They also cooked a rice dish at the competition on which they were judged. Madison’s rec-ipe was “Chocolate Rice Parfait.”

The Arkansas Rice Council sponsors the annual contest in cooperation with Arkansas Farm Bureau and the Arkansas Coop-erative Extension Service.

Arkansas’ rice industry sup-ports 2,500 rice farms, employs more than 35,000 Arkansans and contributes over $4 billion annu-ally to the state’s economy.

Arkansas Farm Bureau is a non-profit, private advocacy organiza-tion of more than 190,000 families throughout the state working to improve farm and rural life. Madison Coleman

by Fred MartinIn an effort to help fourth

grade students at Central El-ementary School understand the local rice industry, Riceland District Manager D.J. Herzog addressed a special assembly commemorating September as Rice Month.

He explained that Riceland has six facilities in the area, all

dedicated to serving farmers.Students listened as he shared

fact that rice came to Arkansas in 1904 and Arkansas is one of only six states producing rice. He informed that Arkansas pro-duces nearly one-half of all rice harvested in the United States.

“Of the 10,000 rice farmers in America, 4,500 of these are in Arkansas,” Herzog said.

Riceland’s D.J. Herzog shows students different containers of rice as he discusses how rice is delivered to Riceland and eventually moved to processors.

Herzog talks rice at CentralHerzog told the group that

each probably began this early life eating a rice product of one kind or another. He said so many youngsters start on rice cereal because it is less allergenic than certain other foods

A video from U.S.A. Rice Fed-eration was shown explaining all aspects of the rice industry.

This was followed by Herzog passing around containers of rice including brown rice, rough rice, rice bran, rice hulls, long grain and medium grain white rice.

His ended his presentation with a question and answer ses-sion and distribution of a packet containing more information and a Rice Krispie treat.

Food from ParkviewTopping-off the assembly,

Amy Jordan was assisted by Nikki Stadler in scooping beef tips and rice for each child, com-pliments of Parkview Restaurant.

From one very large pot, beef tips and rice were served to more than 75 children. Rice Trivia . . .

1. Which state produces the most rice? a. Louisiana b. Texas c. California d. Arkansas

2. Rice expands to ___times its original weight during cooking. a. 2 b. 3 c. 4 d. 5

3. The average American eats ___pounds of rice each year. a. 15 b. 35 c. 26 d. 40

4. According to the USDA’s Food Group Pyramid, we should eat ______ servings per day from rice, bread, cereal and pasta groups? a. 5 b. 2-3 c. 6-11 d. 3-4

5. _____was the first state to produce rice. a. Virginia B. South Carolina c. Georgia d. Texas

6. Rice is a good source of which of the following nutrients: a. Niacin b. Thiamin c. Iron d. All of these

7. Most of the rice we con-sume in the U.S. is raised in: a. China b. Japan c. Thailand d. America

8. Rice is often used in: a. beer b. dog food c. baby food d. all of these

9. Rice has: a. no fat b. no so-dium c. no cholesterol d. all of these

10. Uncooked white rice can be stored on the shelf: a. indefinitely b. three months c. six months d. one year

Answers1. d--Arkansas is the leading

rice producing state, followed by California, Louisiana, Texas, Mis-sissippi, Missouri and Florida.

2. b--During cooking, rice absorbs the liquid in which it is cooked, and expands to three times its original weight.

3. c--The average American eats about 26 pounds of rice per year.

4. c--According to the USDA Food Guide Pyramid, we should eat 6-11 servings per day from the rice, bread, cereal and pasta group.

5. b--Rice production in America began quite by acci-dents when a storm-battered ship sailing from Madagascar limped into the Charleston, South Caro-

lina harbor. The ship’s captain made a gift of a small quantity of “Golde Seede Rice” (named for its color) to a local planter.

6. d--Brown rice and enriched white rice supply five percent of the U.S. Recommended Dai-ly Allowances of thiamin and niacin, and 3.75 percent of the USRDA of iron.

7. d--Ninety percent of the rice consumed in the United States is raised in America.

8. d--Rice is used in beer, dog food, baby food, breakfast ce-reals, snacks, frozen foods and sauces, among other food items.

9. d--Rice is healthful for what it contains as well as what it does not contain. Rice has no cholesterol, fat or sodium.

10. a--A natural convenience food, uncooked rice can be stored indefinitely on the shelf in a tightly sealed container. Brown rice has a shelf life of six months (refrigerator storage is recommended for longer shelf life).

Farmers produce more ricewith less acreage, water usage

Arkansas ranksat the top in ricein United States

Besides ranking Number One in rice among rice-producing states, it also is listed in the top 20 nationally in 18 commodities.

The following was taken from a program circulated at a recent Farm Bureau meeting listing Ar-kansas’ ranking in the following:

• #1 in rice;

• #2 in cotton

• #2 in cottonseed

• #2 in broilers

• #3 in catfish

• #3 in turkeys

• #4 in timber production

• #8 in eggs

• #8 in grain sorghum

• #10 in pecans

• #11 in soybeans

• #11 in fresh tomatoes

• #11 in farm receipts

• #13 in grapes

• #13 in beef cattle

• #16 in cattle and calves

• #16 in peaches

• #16 in watermelons

• #20 in hogs and pigs

USA Rice continually works with different industry sectors to reduce the carbon footprint for rice and detail the contribution rice farms make to wildlife habi-tat and biodiversity. Results from USA Rice’s recent benchmarking study show that rice farmers are producing more with fewer re-sources.

A study commissioned by The Rice Foundation and released three years ago by the USA Rice Federa-tion shows that U.S. rice production has become increasingly efficient on a national level over a 20-year period.

The first-of-its kind study, U.S. Rice Resource Efficiency and Sus-tainability Metrics, was conducted by IHS Global Insight and exam-ines rice production’s impact since 1987 in five key areas: land use, soil loss, water and energy use, and climate change. Among the study’s major findings:

• 21 percent decrease in land re-quired to produce each 100 pounds of rice and an 821,000 acre reduc-tion in land used for production in 2009 compared to 20 years ago;

• 43 percent decrease in soil loss since 1987;

• 33 percent reduction in water used to produce each 100 pounds of rice, saving nearly 24 million

gallons of water in 2010 versus two decades ago;

• 52 percent reduction in energy used to produce 100 pounds of rice over a 20-year period;

• 29 percent reduction in soil methane per 100 pounds of rice over a 20-year period.

“The study is an important first look at the sustainability of U.S. rice production and provides a benchmark for the industry,” USA Rice Federation Sustainability Task Force Chairman Jennifer James said. James, a rice grower from Ar-kansas, believes the ongoing chal-lenge for the rice industry will be to continue to produce more rice that is both sustainable and profitable for rice farmers in order to feed a grow-ing global population.

Noting the positive contribution that rice makes to wildlife and bio-diversity, the study encourages fu-ture research in this and other areas such as water management and how farm management practices influ-ence soil emissions.

The report concludes that the U.S. rice industry is moving toward meeting increasing demand while achieving a reduced environmental impact per hundred pounds of rice produced.

Reprinted from USA Rice Fed-eration.

Northeast Arkansas Merchandier and Clay County Courier, September 17 and 18, 2014 - Page 8

520 West Second • Corning, AR • 857-BANK1700 Old County Road • Pocahontas, AR • 892-BANK

We salute and appreciate the Rice Farmers of this area

for a job well done.

Member FDIC

We Salute the Rice FaRmeR

Northeast Arkansas Seed

Keep up the Good WoRK!

Farm Service, inc.CORNING 857-6921 • LYNN • HOXIE • KNOBEL 259-3248 • POCaHONtas

FS/I

Saluting our dedicated

farmerS!

Corning Chamber of Commerce 1621 W. Main, Corning • 857-3874

“Thanks to area Rice Farmersfor all you do!”

BlackBuilding center

409 Vine Street • Corning • 870-857-6876

Lynn Masterson & Becky Brownfiel

“Wishing All Clay County Farmers a successful Harvest!”

870-631-1852

Electric Beach& Sissy Bug Boutique

Lynn Masterson, Rose Scott and Shelia Price

870-631-1852

Phone & Fax 400 W. 4th St., Suite B870-857-0255 Corning

We appreciate the Farmers!

About a decade ago . . .Rice farmers totally involved with Harvest Festival were getting ready for the October event when this photo was shot several years ago. Eugene Bauschlicher, Louis Ahrent, Martin Ahrent, Edwin Ahrent and Matthew Ahrent are in a rice field preparing a shock to eventually be taken to Harvest Festival for a dem-onstration on threshing.

Thomas Jefferson believed that the best government was that which was closest to the people. Abraham Lincoln cre-ated the forerunner of USDA, what he called “the People’s Department.”

Following this tradition, the US Department of Agriculture relies on the local leadership of farmers who are elected to the Farm Service Agency’s County Committee System. The com-mittee system was put in place by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1933 with the enactment of the Agricultural Adjustment Act.

Today, these locally led com-mittees are USDA’s regional empowered decision makers and are the backbone of the federal government’s efforts to sustain American agriculture.

Clay County FSA County Committee members are as fol-lows: Judy Schimming, Peach Orchard; Jody Simmons, Rec-tor; Dane Coomer, Piggott.

The importance of the county committee system stems from a simple concept that local farm-ers know their communities and their business, and how best to make national programs work locally. Committee mem-bers know what issues are fac-ing farmers in their area, and since they are elected by their peers, are themselves active farmers.

The FSA County Commit-tees set rental rates for the Con-servation Reserve Program. The committee helps sustain the local farming community by determining eligibility for loans for FSA programs, such

as the beginning farmer pro-gram and the guaranteed oper-ating loan program. The county committees approve crop loans by reviewing individual cases, and decide the applicability of other commodity programs like the non-insured crop disaster assistance program.

The county committee su-pervises the operations of the county office, including the hiring of personnel that deliver FSA’s programs. During a di-saster, the county committee is responsible for administering FSA’s programs. It’s the coun-ty committee that helps resolve the issues. Committees serve a key role in USDA’s check and balance appeals system.

The county committee is core to USDA’s success at the local level. Through the county committee system, the local farmer is the critical link in implementing national agricul-tural policy. The county com-mittee also serves as the USDA Secretary’s “eyes and ears” in each county, so that USDA knows the particular needs of local farmers and can respond accordingly to local condi-tions. County committees act on behalf of the Department to partner with other local groups to make a difference in their communities. By participating in local working groups, they help prioritize and solve envi-ronmental issues like non-point source run-off through the En-vironmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Farm Option Program. In short, the county committee system places much of the control of

the Department’s assistance to farmers in their own hands.

In Clay County, FSA can be reached at 857-3016 or 598-2287.

USDA prides itself in that no other federal department involves people at the local level to the extent that USDA does through the farmer-elected county committee system. By bringing people in at the local level, Farm Service Agency is the most effective voice for agriculture. The county com-mittee system reflects the needs of the community and the understanding of how to make national programs work in America’s rural towns and communities.

United States Department of AgricultureFarm Service Agency

County Committee System, backbone of the USDA

Arkansas State researcherleads crop phenotyping study

life cycle. This data helps re-searchers analyze various forms of plant stress, such as drought, salinity, insects and disease.

“The Scanalyzer HTS at A-State was the first instrument of this kind to be owned by a public university in the USA. Before us only large plant biotech compa-nies had access to this technol-ogy,” Lorence explained. “With our partners in Missouri, we will carry out four sub-projects that will serve as test beds, in which we will develop new tools and ap-proaches to study plant stress.”

ASTA announced recently it has been awarded a $3 million NSF grant to conduct the re-search as part of a larger multi-state award with Missouri. A-State’s portion will be about $1.36 million.

“Students of all levels from

undergrads to post-doctoral re-searchers will participate in this process,” she continued. “In addition some of our students will have the opportunity to do summer internships at the com-panies that are leaders in this field including LemnaTec, the manufacturer of the Scanalyzer system in Germany, and Pioneer in the U.S.A.”

Over a three-year period, the funds will support creation of a state-of-the-art bioimaging con-sortium that “ . . . will enable re-searchers to adapt food, fiber, and fuel crops to meet the challenges of a changing climate and a grow-ing world population,” according to the project summary.

Dr. Andrew Sustich, vice pro-vost for research and graduate studies at Arkansas State, said, “The project will provide impor-

A federally-funded research project that will lead to a new system for analyzing factors that inhibit plant growth is getting underway at Arkansas State Uni-versity.

Dr. Argelia Lorence, associate professor of chemistry and phys-ics, is co-principal investigator for the research, which is part of the ASSET Initiative project of the Arkansas Science and Tech-nology Authority (ASTA).

She will be using a scientific technique called “high-through-put phenotyping” or phenomics, which is the process of using bioimaging technologies to ana-lyze how various stress factors affect plants and to help identify genetic characteristics that make plants more tolerant to those stresses.

At the Arkansas Biosciences Institute on the A-State campus, Lorence is in charge of the Plant Phenotyping Facility. In plant phenotyping, she uses a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded platform called Scanalyzer HTS.

This powerful system uses visible, fluorescent, and near-infrared cameras and specialized software to measure the size, ar-chitecture, in-plant chlorophyll fluorescence, and water content of large numbers of plants or plant parts in a non-destructive fashion. This allows multiple measurements to be taken of the same plants during their entire

tant information on how plants react to environmental stress, including changing climate. This will help to insure that Arkansas remains a leading agricultural state, and that our students who are trained in her laboratory will be leaders in this vital area.”

Six statesproduce rice

When it comes to producing one of the world’s most important foods, no one does it better than the U.S. rice industry.

Six states, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and California, produce enough high-quality rice to feed America and millions of people around the world.

The U.S. rice industry is unique in its ability to produce all types of rice, long, medium and short grain, as well as aromatic and specialty varieties.

Environment advantagesMany species of birds, mam-

mals, amphibians and reptiles take advantage of the wetland habitat created by rice farmers, making rice a unique agricultural crop.

Rice fields provide food re-sources that were lost when natu-ral marsh and other wetlands were drained during settlement. Lying along critical flyways, winter-flooded rice fields provide vital resting and foraging habitat for mi-gratory and wintering waterfowl.

Northeast Arkansas Merchandier and Clay County Courier, September 17 and 18, 2014 - Page 9

We’re doing our share to provide the world with Rice!

Rice farming is a family affair for the Taylors as everyone gets involved. Pictured above are, Blake, Bruce, Bentley and Noah.

“Rice farming, a family tradition”.

In 2014 the Taylor family continues total involve-ment in planting, watering and harvesting rice.

Red Taylor Ford410 West Second Street • Corning • 857-3516

Saluting the Rice Industry

Success 276-5222 • Reyno 769-2666 • Corning 857-6666

Best Wishes toArea Rice Farmers

We appreciate the Rice Farmers

of Clay County andthe surrounding area.

Becky & Co.“Plexus AmbAssAdor - We hAve Plexus slim Products in stock”

301 N. Missouri, Suite 10 • Corning • 870-857-6837

Ballard's Body Shop6057 Hwy. 67 North, Corning Mike & Chris 857-6065

Congratulationsto the

Clay County Rice Farmers

Participants in Central Elementary’s September Rice Month commemoration are, from left, Heather Price, Terry Walley, Blue Riggan, Cliff Gifford, Kathy Riggan, Cody McGrew, Glenna Lane, Les McCormic and Billy Jones.

First rice of 2004 . . .From the Thielemier Farm in Randolph County comes the first load of rice to Riceland-Corning. Monday afternoon, August 30 Mike Thielemier, pictured at left, arrived with around 600 bushels of Wells variety as the 2004 rice harvest began in the area. Thielemier delivered Grade One with a moisture contest of 20.7. He said this rice came from a 65-acre field and more will soon be ready. He commented how much earlier the rice was planted (April 5) in comparison to last year and how harvest was actually one week later than usual, which could be attributed to cooler weather. Thielemier was assisted at the dryer by Jack Bledsoe, right.

2014 rice harvest begins August 25by Fred Martin

The first load of rice was nearly on pace with the past, arriving at Riceland Monday, August 25, de-livered by Steve Fox Farms.

Driver Johnny Fry arrived in early afternoon with an 1150-bushel load of Clearfield 111 with 21.5 percent moisture. Fry was accompanied by several from Fox Farms including Sandra Fox, Lana Gleghorn, Matt Wright and Matt Holt.

Over the years rice is normally harvested in the Corning area be-tween August 20 and 24, so 2014 was just one day behind.

This year’s rice came from the Pardue Farms at Thorn Grove where the 40-acre field was plant-ed on March 25, 2014.

In 2013, rice harvest was more than one week later, arriving on September 2, delivered by Chuck Taylor of Lafe, farming the Karen Parks Farm, south of Corning.

Over the past 20 years, rice has been delivered to Riceland in Corning anywhere from August 12 to September 2.

• 2013, Sept 2, Chuck Taylor of Lafe, farming the Karen Parks Farm, south of Corning delivered RiceTec’s Clearfield(r) XP4534 with a moisture content of 20.5

percent.• 2012, August 14, Bryan

Thielemier delivered 1,100 bush-els of RiceTec X729 measuring 20.3 percent moisture;

• 2011, August 22, Martin Ahrent and Sons brought in the first load. It was 1100 bushes of Clearfield XL745 measuring 19.1 percent moisture.

• 2010, August 12, R&A Thielemier Farms of Pocahontas delivered the first load at 17.8 per-cent moisture.

• 2009, August 26 Townsend Farms unloaded 1,000 bushels of X723 with 18.9 percent moisture;

• 2008, Sept 1, T&C Farms, Knobel, delivered RiceTec 730 with moisture of 19.2 percent.

• 2007, August 20, S&S Farms, Lafe, harvested a field of Rice-Tec’s XP723 near Hooker with moisture content of 17.4 percent.

• 2006, August 23, Lepold Brothers Farm, Naylor cut the first load of Clearfield CXL8 with a moisture contest of 17.8 percent

• 2005, August 24, Farrell Young Farms delivered Wells va-riety at 18.3 percent moisture;

• 2004, August 30, Wells vari-ety, Richard Thielemier Farms, Pocahontas. Moisture content, 20.7 percent;

• 2003, August 25, Wells va-

riety was harvested from Farrell Young Farm. The first load of 1,200 bushels of rice measured 18.2 percent moisture;

• 2002, August 20, 1,000 bush-els of Drew variety from Farrell Young Farm, North of Corning. Moisture content, 18.8 percent;

• 2001, August 20, 900 bush-els of Drew variety from Farrell Young Farm at 20.4 percent mois-ture;

• 2000, August 21, 800 bushels Lagrue arrived from Thielemier Farms, Pocahontas and measured 12 percent moisture;

• 1999, August 23, Jefferson variety from Lepold Farm, Naylor contained 27 percent moisture;

• 1998, August 26, Cypress va-riety arrived from Farrell Young Farm at 19.2 percent moisture;

• 1997, September 1, Alan vari-ety was delivered from Fox Farms with 18.0 percent moisture;

• 1996, August 28, Alan variety was harvested from Scheer Broth-ers Farm, Lafe, at 18.6 percent moisture;

• 1995, August 16, 400 bush-els of Alan variety from Charles Morrisett Farm contained 18.8 percent;

• 1994, August 24, Millie vari-ety arrived from Rick Davidson Farm.

National Rice Month celebration underway during September in U.S

100% domestically-grown rice. For more information about the

benefits of rice and recipes, visit www.usarice.com.

During September, America is marking the 25th year of National Rice Month (NRM). Sponsored by the USA Rice Federation, NRM celebrates the rice harvest and helps increase awareness of U.S.-grown rice, which contributes $34 billion in economic activity in America and provides 128,000 jobs annually.

Initiated by an act of Congress in 1991, NRM honors the contri-bution of the U.S. rice industry to America’s economy. USA Rice conducts several programs na-tionwide, including setting rice displays in grocery stores, do-nating rice to food banks in rice-growing communities, providing scholarships, conducting recipe demonstrations, consumer con-tests, and more. Eighty-five per-cent of the rice consumed in the United States is grown here and the average American consumes 25 pounds of rice per year.

At only 10 cents per serving, enriched white and whole grain brown rice are low in calories, sodium- cholesterol- and gluten-free, have only a trace of fat with no trans fat or saturated fats. Rice is the healthy partner on the plate, pairing well with beans, seafood, lean protein, vegetables, and fruits.

During September, USA Rice is encouraging consumers to try new rice recipes weekly and post their comments and recipes on USA Rice’s Facebook page. Consumers who complete a brief survey will be entered to win an American Express gift card or an Aroma rice cooker.

The USA Rice Federation is the global advocate for the U.S. rice industry, conducting pro-grams to inform consumers about domestically-grown rice. U.S. farmers produce an abundance of short, medium and long grain rice, as well as organic and specialty rices including jasmine, basmati, Arborio, red aromatic and black japonica, among others. Farmers in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas grow some 20 billion pounds of rice each year according to the highest quality standards. Look for the U.S. rice industry’s “Grown in the U.S.” logo on packages of

2015 Rice Leadership Development ProgramThe Rice Foundation is accepting

applications for the 2015 Rice Lead-ership Development Program.

Rice producers or industry-related professionals between the ages of 25 and 45 are eligible to apply for the pro-gram. The application deadline is Oct. 5. The Rice Leadership Development Program provides a comprehensive understanding of the rice industry, with an emphasis on personal devel-opment and communication skills. During a two-year period, class mem-bers attend four one-week sessions designed to strengthen leadership skills through studies of all aspects of the rice industry.

The class is comprised of five rice producers and two industry-related professionals chosen by a

committee of agribusiness leaders. The committee evaluates the ap-plications of all candidates, reviews letters of recommendation and con-ducts personal interviews with the finalists.

Interviews will be conducted at the USA Rice Outlook Conference in St. Louis, MO, in December.

The program is sponsored by John Deere Company, RiceTec, Inc. and American Commodity Company through the Rice Founda-tion and managed by the USA Rice Federation.

For additional information on the Rice Leadership Development Pro-gram or an application form, go to www.usarice.com and click on the 2015 Rice Leadership icon.

Northeast Arkansas Merchandier and Clay County Courier, September 17 and 18, 2014 - Page 10

Special shirts for Rice Month . . .As Central Elementary students study September as Rice Month, each received a colorful shirt from Rice-land and wore them last week as they assembled on the school’s front steps for a photo-op. From left, front, Ashlee Hoylman, Luke Arnold, MaKenzie Wheetley and Jaxon McGrew. Back Olivia Ahrent and Zan-der Elgin.

Wishing allClay County Farmersan abundant harvest!

Ermert Funeral Home, Inc.1000 Elm • Corning, Arkansas • 857-3596

M. F. Block Insurance Inc.431 S.W. 2nd Street, Corning

870-857-3222

SALUTINGall our area Rice FarmersThanks, for a job well done!

Rice, as ancient as the flatlandsRice, throughout history, has

been one of man’s most impor-tant foods. Today, this unique grain helps sustain two-thirds of the world’s population, yet, little is known about the origins of rice cultivation. Archaeologi-cal evidence suggests rice has been feeding mankind for more than 5,000 years. The first doc-umented account is found in a decree on rice planting au-thored by a Chinese emperor about 2,800 B.C. From China to ancient Greece, from Persia to the Nile Delta, rice migrated across the continents, even-tually finding its way to the Western Hemisphere.

Enterprising colonists were the first to cultivate rice in America. It began quite by ac-cident when a storm-battered ship sailing from Madagascar limped into the Charleston South Carolina harbor. The ship’s captain made a gift of a small quantity of “Golde Sedde Rice” (named for its color) to a local planter.

The highly fertile, flat soil of the Carolinas and Georgia plan-tations proved ideal for rice pro-duction. A few hundred acres re-quired from 100 to 300 laborers to prepare the soil, plant, harvest and thresh the rice.

By 1726, the Port of Charles-ton was exporting about 4,500 metric tons of “Carolina Golde”, which later became the standard of high-quality rice through-out the world. When America gained independence 50 years later, rice had become one of her major agricultural businesses.

Then came the War Between the States and an end to the plan-tation era. This together with the ravages of hurricanes, and com-petition from other crops, moved rice westward. The sprawling plantations of the Gulf Coast, parceled out to soldiers return-ing from the war, became a new home to rice crops. Still, high la-bor costs kept the industry from expanding. Not until mecha-

nized farming methods came into use would the Gulf Coast rice industry become viable.

Machine Age changes produc-tion

In 1884, the Machine Age was beginning to affect every aspect of American life. It was the year an Iowa wheat farmer pointed out that the broad prairie land of Southwestern Louisiana and Southeastern Texas had solid soils which could hold up heavy equipment like the machines used for the production of wheat in Iowa.

A revolution of mechaniza-tion followed, establishing what are today’s major Southern rice growing states: Arkansas, Loui-siana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas.

The 1849 gold rush brought people from all nations to Cali-fornia. Among them were an es-timated 40,000 Chinese, whose staple food was rice. To feed the immigrants, rice production became a necessity. Farmers in the Sacramento Valley found rice would adapt well to heavy clay soil conditions that were largely unsuited to other crops. By 1920, California was a major rice-producing state.

CultivationAmerican farmers consistent-

ly produce a dependable supply of the highest quality rice in the world.

Long gone are the days of ox and mule-drawn equipment in the marshes of South Carolina. Gone too is the reliance upon seasonal rains, as is still the case in many other rice-produc-ing countries. Rice farming in America has become a precise science, a world of specialized equipment, lasers and comput-ers.

Today, land planes scrape and shift the soil to level the land. Heavy equipment makes light work of building even fields that gently slope, enabling uniform

flooding and controlled drain-ing. Laser guidance systems determine where water control levees will be placed.

Farming EcologyRice farmers put to good use

soils that may otherwise be un-suitable for farming. Heavy clay soils that hold water, a difficult environment for some crops, are perfectly suited for rice.

After harvest, the fields are covered with a carpet of rice straw, a seemingly useless resi-due. Today researchers are find-ing new uses for straw. Creating the proper conditions for rice straw decomposition, the winter flooding of rice fields has be-come a vital sanctuary and food source to migratory waterfowl and other wildlife. Rice grow-ers are cooperating with conser-vation groups and government agencies to farm in ways that compensate for the loss of natu-ral foods, no longer found in sufficient quantities to sustain healthy waterfowl populations. The abundant supply of rice, in-sects and roots provided by the rice fields is proving to enhance these populations.

Types of riceLong Grain Rice - long, slen-

der kernel, four times longer than it is wide. Cooked grains are separate, light and fluffy.

Medium Grain Rice-kernel is two to three times longer than it is wide. Cooked grains are moist, tender and slightly clingy.

Short Grain Rice- kernel is al-most round. Cooked grains cling together.

Aromatic Rice - brown or white rice with a natural aroma and flavor similar to that of roasted nuts or popcorn. The U.S. grows different types of ar-omatic rice. Some cook dry and separate and some cook moist and tender.

Sweet Rice - an opaque white grain. Cooked grains are very sticky.

FormsRough (Paddy) Rice - ker-

nels still within the hull. Before rice can be packaged or cooked, the out hull or husk must be re-moved.

Brown Rice - kernels of rice from which only the hull has been removed. Brown rice may be eaten as is or milled into reg-ular-milled white rice. Cooked brown rice has a slightly chewy texture and nut-like flavor. The light brown color of brown rice is caused by the presence of bran layers which are rich in minerals and vitamins, especially the B-complex group.

Parboiled Rice - rough rice that has gone through a steam-pressure process before milling. This procedure gelatinizes the starch in the grain, and ensures a firmer, more separate grain. Par-boiled rice is favored by many consumers.

rice and detail the contribution rice farms make to wildlife habi-tat and biodiversity. Results from USA Rice’s recent benchmark-ing study show that rice farmers are producing more with fewer resources.

A study commissioned by The Rice Foundation and re-leased three years ago by the USA Rice Federation shows that U.S. rice production has become increasingly efficient on a national level over a 20-year period.

The first-of-its kind study, U.S. Rice Resource Efficiency and Sustainability Metrics, was conducted by IHS Global Insight and examines rice production’s impact since 1987 in five key ar-eas: land use, soil loss, water and energy use, and climate change. Among the study’s major find-ings:

• 21 percent decrease in land required to produce each 100 pounds of rice and an 821,000 acre reduction in land used for production in 2009 compared to

20 years ago;• 43 percent decrease in soil

loss since 1987;• 33 percent reduction in water

used to produce each 100 pounds of rice, saving nearly 24 million gallons of water in 2010 versus two decades ago;

• 52 percent reduction in en-ergy used to produce 100 pounds of rice over a 20-year period;

• 29 percent reduction in soil methane per 100 pounds of rice over a 20-year period.

“The study is an important first look at the sustainability of U.S. rice production and provides a benchmark for the industry,” USA Rice Federation Sustain-ability Task Force Chairman Jen-nifer James said. James, a rice grower from Arkansas, believes the ongoing challenge for the rice industry will be to continue to produce more rice that is both sustainable and profitable for rice farmers in order to feed a grow-ing global population.

Noting the positive contribu-tion that rice makes to wildlife and biodiversity, the study en-courages future research in this and other areas such as water management and how farm man-agement practices influence soil emissions.

The report concludes that the U.S. rice industry is moving to-ward meeting increasing demand while achieving a reduced envi-ronmental impact per hundred pounds of rice produced.

Reprinted from USA Rice Fed-eration.

Farmers produce more ricewith less acreage, water usage

USA Rice continually works with different industry sectors to reduce the carbon footprint for