The "James Gang" Rides Again in Louisiana Rice Country
By Kane Webb, USA Rice
The USA Rice "James Boys" in action at the 96th annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention.
CROWLEY & NEW ORLEANS, LA -- The end of June has been busy in Louisiana rice country. As July approaches, so does the start of harvest, and it's also time for the annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention in New Orleans followed by several industry-related events, including the Louisiana State University (LSU) Ag Center Field Day in Crowley.
With last week's passing of the U.S. House version of the 2018 Farm Bill, and questions about what the Senate version will look like weighing on everyone's mind, Frank Leach and Jamison Cruce of the USA Rice government affairs team, began a five-day meeting tour to update growers on the legislation.
Starting with the 96th Annual Louisiana Farm Bureau - Rice Commodity meeting last Saturday morning, the two staffers took turns explaining details of the 2018 Farm Bill, and answering grower questions pertaining to the implications of the measures, for the group of more than seventy who attended.
Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Mike Strain followed the duo's report, and referred to them as Frank and Jesse James, for their on target report and the similarity of their names with those of the famous outlaw brothers from Missouri.
From that point on, "the James Boys," as they are now referred to here, continued with their ride through South Louisiana on Monday, visiting with rice growers from as far south as Sweetlake and north to Bunkie. They were rewarded for their efforts that evening with a meet and greet reception hosted by Lorraine and David Bertrand that included homemade cracklins, vegetables, and, jambalaya made with Louisiana-grown rice.
Horizon Ag Field Day
On Tuesday, Michael Klein, USA Rice vice president of communications and domestic promotion, joined the USA Rice team as they traveled south again to Vermillion Parish, and the Horizon Ag Field Day at Christian Richard's Farm, and another chance to talk with growers one-on-one on a wide range of topics.
Klein also attended the Louisiana Rice Promotion Board meeting in Crowley to provide updates on USA Rice's international and domestic promotion activities, including the highly anticipated upcoming Foodservice Farm and Mill tour in Rayne and Crowley later this summer.
The ride wrapped up Wednesday afternoon at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station Annual LSU Ag Center Field Day in Crowley. The group there heard a report on the latest developments in the U.S. Senate that had taken place that morning during the Field Day events.
"We owe Frank and Jamison a big 'thanks,' said Donald Berken, a rice farmer from Welsh, Louisiana, and chairman of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Rice Commodity Division. "With everything going on in Washington right now, we appreciate the fact that they took the time to come down here to give an update on up-to-the-minute developments on the Farm Bill, and answer questions about other critical issues currently facing the rice industry. We look forward to a return of "The James Boys" soon!"