National Black Growers Council Annual Meeting Tackles Uncertainty
USA Rice
NEW ORLEANS, LA – About 300 black row crop farmers participated in the 2025 National Black Growers Council (NBGC) Annual Meeting here last week for two-and-a-half days of meetings, education, fellowship, and networking under the theme “Cultivating Connections, Strengthening Legacies,” and rice and the Rice Leadership Development Program were well represented throughout.
Leadership Class of 2014 alumni AJ Sabine served as event host and emcee, “keeping the trains running on time.” He first turned the General Session over to NBGC Executive Director Dr. Dawn Mellion and NBGC President and Leadership Class of 2023 alumni PJ Haynie for welcomes and policy updates.
More than nine-and-a-half hours of deep dive discussions followed over two days, including “Understanding Farm Finances” with former and current Farm Credit representatives; “Pivoting During Times of Uncertainty;” “Diversification Strategies and Trends,” moderated by NBGC Board Member and class of 2023 alumna Christi Bland Miller; and more.
State and federal officials sent personal recorded greetings, including Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain and Congressman Troy Carter (D-LA). Other sessions focused on innovation, precision agriculture, and resilience; navigating Heirs Property issues; and an engaging session on managing mental health with Ms. Kelly Bertrand from the Metropolitan Human Services District of New Orleans.
The “Policy and Forecasting Panel” with Arkansas rice farmer Dr. Dewayne Goldmon; Eloris Speight, director of the National Policy Research Center; and Dr. Ron Rainey, VP of University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, created a buzz when they shared estimated crop payment figures in the Farmer Bridge Assistance program that had been announced earlier in the week.
“These exact amounts are still subject to change,” Goldmon said, “but rice, cotton, and peanuts, with the highest costs of production, should be at the top of the list.”
Networking breaks and meals afforded attendees time to visit the many exhibitors and a formal Awards Banquet & Masquerade Gala set a fun and lively tone.
“Attending the Council’s Annual Meeting was a valuable chance to listen, learn, and engage directly with producers about the challenges and opportunities facing rice today,” said Josh Hankins, USA Rice director of grower relations. “USA Rice appreciates the Council’s leadership and the open dialogue that helps strengthen our industry.”