STUTTGART, AR -- The Rice Foundation is accepting applications for the 2015 Rice Leadership Development Program.  Rice producers or industry-related professionals between the ages of 25 and 45 are eligible to apply for the program. The application deadline is October 4.

The Rice Leadership Development Program provides a comprehensive understanding of the rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication skills.  During a two-year period, class members attend four one-week sessions d

esigned to strengthen leadership skills through studies of all aspects of the rice industry.

The class is comprised of five rice producers and two industry-related professionals chosen by a committee of agribusiness leaders.  The committee evaluates the applications of all candidates, reviews letters of recommendation and conducts personal interviews with the finalists. Interviews will be conducted at the USA Rice Outlook Conference in Little Rock, AR, in December.

The program is sponsored by John Deere Company, RiceTec, Inc., and American Commodity Company through the Rice Foundation and managed by the USA Rice Federation.

Additional information on the Rice Leadership Development Program and an application form can be found on the USA Rice website.

Contact:  Chuck Wilson, (870) 673-7541

Now focusing on stopping rice?

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA -- Concern over growing imports has prompted the National Association of Manufacturers of Rice Sector (ANINSA) here to send a petition to the Ministry of Economics, Industry and Commerce (MEIC), urging them to activate a safeguard for milled rice.  The safeguard would halt imports of milled rice for 200 days, forcing the industry to buy local rice.  

This has been an ongoing concern for Conarroz (Costa Rican National Rice Corporation).  In January 2014, Dr. Gloria Abraham, Costa Rica's Minister of Agriculture, stated that "Conarroz has complained in recent months that private entrepreneurs from Argentina and Uruguay imported 15,710 metric tons of rice in 2013, 279% more than in 2012, which has affected purchases from local producers."

MEIC will analyze the request and data to determine if safeguards are warranted.

Costa Rica is typically one of the top 20 export destinations for U.S. rice, though it is a 90% paddy rice market, that would not be directly impacted by these measures. During the first five months of this year, U.S. exports to Costa Rica are up 21 percent over the same period last year.  USA Rice will be following this safeguard issue closely.

Contact: Sarah Moran (703) 236-1457 

Around the U.S.

USDA deploys a zealot - The Hill

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has selected "green" food activist Angie Tagtow as executive director of the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP). As CNPP boss Tagtow will oversee the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC).

USDA Reminds Farmers of 2014 Farm Bill Conservation Compliance Changes - USDA Press Release

Prices for long-grain rice, which makes up 85 percent of Louisiana's rice crop, are projected to drop this year according to one expert.

California drought: 'Water cops' being hired by Bay Area agencies to root out water waste - San Jose Mercury News

Cracking down on wasteful water users.

Around the World

Thai Rice Harvest Seen Dropping on Drought, Subsidy Lapse - Bloomberg

Rice production in Thailand will probably shrink to a five-year low as drought hurts yields and farmers curb planting after the end of a subsidy program

The TPP and Japanese Agriculture - The Diplomat

Japan's behavior at the twelve-nation Ottawa meeting last week led New Zealand to suggest that Japan should be eliminated from the TPP if it does not open its markets to more farm imports.

On the Lighter Side

Fluffy. Tasty. Tricky. - The New York Times

An article about difficulties cooking rice and a video of a method. Unfortunately not enough emphasis on U.S.-grown.

In Praise of the Trusty Rice Cooker - The New York Times

100 percent of the time rice cookers work 100 percent of the time.