Randy Jemison Knows Local Rice

NEW ORLEANS, LA - The local food movement is growing at a rapid rate

throughout the country and New Orleans is staking its claim as a pace setter. The New Orleans local food eating population, or "Locavores" as they are called, is on the rise and in its fourth year the New Orleans "Eat Local Challenge" (ELC) has set a goal to register one thousand participants to eat only locally-sourced foods during June.

USA Rice Annual Report Wins Excellence in Publishing Award

ARLINGTON, VA - The 26^th Annual APEX Awards for Publication Excellence have been announced, and the USA Rice Federation's annual report, "Viability," has been named a winner.

The APEX awards are a highly competitive business communications contest sponsored by the editors of Writer's Web Watch and the Writing that Works Archives.

"APEX 2014 awards were based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the success of the entry-in the opinion of the judges-in achieving overall communications effectiveness and excellence," the contest sponsors said in a release. "Each year, the quality of entries increases. Overall, this year's entries displayed an extraordinary level of quality. The APEX judges saw only the most promising publications that professional communicators could enter. From them, they had the truly difficult task of selecting the award-winning entries."

Worth another look

This year's contest included more than 2,000 entries across 11 major categories and 122 subcategories. There were 82 entries in the annual report category with the nonprofit grand awards given to New York Methodist Hospital's "Report to the Community" and The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi of Baton Rouge's "2012 Phi Kappa Phi Annual Report: Mission in Action."

"Being recognized by writing and design professionals from amongst so many high level entrants is very gratifying," said Deborah Willenborg, USA Rice's manager of marketing and communication who shepherded "Viability" from initial concept through to finished product.

"Viability" not only serves as an annual report to the members of the USA Rice Federation, highlighting the organization's major recent accomplishments, but it also tells the story of the U.S. rice industry, including sustainability efforts and industry trends. You can access the award-winning publication online, or contact USA Rice's communications team to receive hard copies.

Around Washington

IRS Targets 'Passive' Landowners DTN Progressive Farmer

About 27 million acres of farmland are under Conservation Reserve Program contracts now, a significant portion of which are owned by non-farmers and other passive investors who IRS believes should be subject to the 15.3% self-employment tax.

Around the Country

International Businesses Break Ground in West Sacramento CA Public Radio

Shinmei chose West Sacramento because of its proximity to rice growers and because of California's demand for gluten-free food. 

Opinion:  Help Us Protect Our Beautiful Colorado River The Statesman

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is under tremendous political pressure to change the water management plan in a way that could spell the end of rice industry - and therefore eliminate the need for irrigation releases.

Quackmail:  Why You Shouldn't Fall for the Internet's Newest Fool, the Food Babe Forbes

That the media should give The Food Babe a free pass as an expert or as a credible consumer watchdog is especially troubling when you look at some of her other claims, as recorded by the doctors at Science-Based Medicine. 

Around the World

Thailand's Costly Rice Scheme is Officially Dead, Junta Says Wall Street Journal

Thai army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, who seized power May 22, officially confirmed last Friday that there are no plans to revive the multibillion-dollar subsidy program ending speculation about the future of a program that cost Thailand its crown as the world's largest rice exporter and was a significant factor in the previous government's downfall.

Health and Nutrition

Gluten-Free Eating is Here to Stay New York Times

More than a quarter of Americans say they are cutting down on gluten or eliminating it entirely and  some researchers predict the market for gluten-free products will hit $15.6 billion by 2016.