Louisiana's Randy Jemison Announces Retirement from USA Rice

Louisiana's Randy Jemison is retiring from his position with USA Rice.

By Carey Martin, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation

Louisiana's Randy Jemison is retiring from his position with USA Rice at the end of July 2017. Jemison joined the USA Rice staff on October 1, 2001, establishing their first Louisiana-based office. 

In a letter to USA Rice membership, President and CEO Betsy Ward praised Jemison for his 16 years of service to the organization.

"Hiring Randy made perfect sense because he brought a background in rice farming, which provided a firsthand appreciation for the day-to-day concerns of rice producers, and had done work as an insurance underwriter for USDA-FCIC," said Ward.  "Not only does Randy serve a critical role for USA Rice but he also provides administrative services to all the Louisiana based rice organizations and represents USA Rice at state grower meetings and other industry and public events."

In 2004 Jemison was recognized by Senator Mary Landrieu for his work in the rice industry.  In her letter to him, Landrieu thanked Jemison for his "“tireless contributions to the rice industry, the countless hours of work you invest for our growers, and your dedication to the Federation and to the state are admirable.  I commend you on your efforts and sincerely thank you for the tremendous work that you continue to do.”

Jemison’s continued contributions to the U.S. rice industry were again recognized when he was named the International Rice Festival Honoree in 2012 during the annual festival held in Crowley.

"We, at USA Rice, will miss Randy not only for the breadth of his experience and willingness to share his knowledge, but his tireless dedication to the U.S. rice industry and the state of Louisiana," said Ward. 

Click here to see Randy's sense of humor in action at the 2016 Mid-South Farm and Gin Show.