Louisiana's Richard Named 'Rice Farmer of the Year'

By Don Molino, The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Radio Network

Louisiana rice farmer Christian Richard is Rice Farming magazine's "Rice Farmer of the Year."  Photo by Delta Farm Press

SAN ANTONIO, TX - Another Louisiana rice farmer has been named Rice Farmer of the Year by Rice Farming magazine. Christian Richard of Kaplan received that honor Monday during the USA Rice Outlook Conference.

"It's very humbling," said Richard. "It's humbling to be associated with such a great industry."

Richard said he initially thought someone was pulling a prank on him, until he arrived at the awards luncheon and saw his name on a huge sign on the ballroom door.

"First call I got I thought it was a big joke and come to find out I got my name on a big poster when we walked in the door," he said.

Last year, Evangeline Parish rice farmer Richard Fontenot was named the 2016 Rice Farmer of the Year.