Rice Leadership Development Program Now Accepting Applications

By Steve Linscombe

USA Rice

The Rice Leadership Development Program gives future leaders a comprehensive understanding of the rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication skills. The program has been in existence for more than 30 years and most of the current leaders of the U.S. rice industry are alumni.

The deadline for application to the 2023-25 class is September 9, 2022.

Class members attend four one-week sessions over a two-year period that encompass studies of all aspects of the rice industry through firsthand observation. They also attend seminars and workshops designed to strengthen leadership skills.

Eligible applicants must be between the age of 25 and 45, and derive their primary livelihood as rice producers or from a rice industry-related profession or firm, including rice mills, rice product marketers, sales officials, suppliers, dryers, extension services, or research facilities. Participants from the industry-related category must serve the rice industry in their primary job responsibility.

Go here to apply for the program. For additional information, please contact Steve Linscombe, program director.

All applicants will receive notification on whether they have been selected as a finalist. All finalists must be available for personal interviews conducted by the Rice Leadership Selection Committee in conjunction with the USA Rice Outlook Conference in Austin, Texas, in early December 2022.

A special committee of rice industry and agribusiness leaders evaluate the finalists to determine who will make up the class. The 2023-2025 Rice Leadership Development Class will be announced at the Annual Awards Luncheon at the USA Rice Outlook Conference.

The Rice Leadership Development Program is funded by grants from John Deere Company, RiceTec, and the American Commodity Company. USA Rice develops and manages the program on behalf of The Rice Foundation.