2012 Arkansas Rice Expo: Keeping Rice Market Engine Running
By: Josh Berry
Updated: September 14, 2012
Worldwide competition, the drought and a struggling economy were all concerns brought forward Friday (8/3) by life-long rice farmers and politicians.
They came together at the 2012 Rice Expo in Stuttgart Friday morning.
The industry is trying to make sure and discuss how rice production can stay a viable economic engine in the state.
The 2012 Rice Expo in Stuttgart showcased the research completed in the last year and the culmination of all progress in the last quarter century.
Even Governor Mike Beebe addressed the crowd, emphasizing the need to protect state agriculture legislatively.
"Arkansas leads the nation in rice production so it's particularly important to do what we can to support the rice industry," Gov. Beebe said.
One of the ways this event hopes to do that is by highlighting the cooperation and relationship between education and research and its application in the field.
This year more than ever has been one of the busiest for rice farmers.
Arkansas Rice Federation Chairman, Dow Brantley said, "Yeah we are juggling alot of things -- the farm bill, the drought, very hot summer, early harvest. It's been exciting but a very costly year."
It wasn't all business though, events like archery, recipe contests and tractor derby's gave everyone something to enjoy.
They came together at the 2012 Rice Expo in Stuttgart Friday morning.
The industry is trying to make sure and discuss how rice production can stay a viable economic engine in the state.
The 2012 Rice Expo in Stuttgart showcased the research completed in the last year and the culmination of all progress in the last quarter century.
Even Governor Mike Beebe addressed the crowd, emphasizing the need to protect state agriculture legislatively.
"Arkansas leads the nation in rice production so it's particularly important to do what we can to support the rice industry," Gov. Beebe said.
One of the ways this event hopes to do that is by highlighting the cooperation and relationship between education and research and its application in the field.
This year more than ever has been one of the busiest for rice farmers.
Arkansas Rice Federation Chairman, Dow Brantley said, "Yeah we are juggling alot of things -- the farm bill, the drought, very hot summer, early harvest. It's been exciting but a very costly year."
It wasn't all business though, events like archery, recipe contests and tractor derby's gave everyone something to enjoy.
