#100 Turning 100!

#100 Turning 100!

Author: USA Rice October 8, 2024 Duration: 36:13

In this landmark 100th episode of the podcast, hosts Lesley and Michael reflect on their podcasting journey, the many guests they've talked with, and gloat a little over all the world class TV shows that never made it to 100 episodes. Arkansas rice farmer and The Rice Stuff Instigator Jennifer James stops by to share her thoughts, and then the talk turns to the USA Rice Outlook Conference with a preview of some of the exciting programming that will fill the four stages for more than 20 hours! Registration prices go up on October 18, so sign up today at www.usarice.com/outlook.

With special guest:

Jennifer James, Arkansas Rice Farmer

Hosted by:

Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon


Digging into the complex and surprisingly fascinating world of a single grain, The Rice Stuff is a conversation about more than just agriculture. Hosts Michael and Lesley serve as guides, pulling back the curtain on the entire journey of U.S.-grown rice, from the soil in the fields to its place on global tables. They achieve this by stepping aside to let the real experts speak: the farmers making daily decisions under the sun, the scientists in labs developing resilient varieties, the millers ensuring quality, and the marketers navigating international trade. Each episode of this podcast feels like a field visit or a behind-the-scenes meeting, uncovering narratives that intersect science, business, and environmental stewardship. You’ll hear about tangible conservation efforts that protect water and land, the economic strategies that connect American farms to overseas markets, and the technological innovations quietly transforming a traditional industry. It’s a detailed portrait of a staple food, revealing the dedication and ingenuity embedded in every bag. While those within the agriculture sector will find deep, relevant insights, the stories are told with a clarity that welcomes anyone curious about where their food comes from and the intricate systems that produce it. Tune in for genuine conversations that go beyond the surface, offering a new appreciation for the people and processes behind U.S. rice.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 130

The Rice Stuff
Podcast Episodes
#39 India: The 20 Million Metric Ton Tiger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:37
India has become the largest exporter of rice in the world and by their own admission, they are not playing by the rules of fair trade. In this episode, USA Rice Chair and CEO of Supreme Rice Mill Bobby Hanks, USA Rice V…
#38 Value of University Extension Programs to the U.S. Rice Industry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:33
Ag extension offices and the specialists housed in them are among the most valuable assets any farmer can have. Tracing their roots back to clubs formed shortly after the American Revolution, today they use cutting-edge…
#37 Aromatic Rice Imports: Threat or Opportunity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:51
Rice imports into the U.S. have been rising for years, driven primarily by jasmine from Thailand and basmati from India. Both premium varieties are grown in the U.S., but have the imports captured consumers' imaginations…
#36 Export Headaches: Shipping, Labor, a Rigged System, and More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:41
As if rice doesn't have enough problems, this export-dependent crop is dealing with unprecedented shipping and logistical woes. From ocean freighters gaming a system they created, to truck weights and limited working hou…
#35 2021 Rice Award Winners [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:38
We celebrate excellence with Josefine Sedler, the Grand Prize Winner of the National Rice Month Video Scholarship Contest, sponsored by American Commodity Company. We talk with the winners of the Rice Awards presented at…
#34 U.S. Rice Goes to School [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:01
School nutrition programs rely on U.S.-grown rice for a lot of reasons – versatility, shelf stability, wholesomeness, and perhaps most important, student acceptance! Chef Brenda Wattles, RDN, programs as much rice as she…
#33 Climate Change - Part Two of Five - Agronomy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:09
Part 2 of our Climate Change series looks at agronomy and climate. In this episode we're joined by Arkansas rice farmer Jim Whitaker and USDA Research Agronomist Dr. Arlene Adviento-Borbe to share their vast knowledge on…
#32 The 84th International Rice Festival [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:24
Every October, tens of thousands of people converge on Crowley, Louisiana to celebrate rice at the International Rice Festival. Michael traveled to the 84th festival to take it all in – parades, music, the crowning of th…
#31 Sitting Down with Chef Hari Cameron [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:12
James Beard nominated chef and restaurateur Hari Cameron, a great friend to U.S.-grown rice, joins the podcast to talk about restaurants, how he got into cooking, what he considers when he's developing a recipe, what the…
#30 Climate Change - Part One of Five - The Science [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:26
We're doing a multi-episode deep dive into climate change. For this episode we're joined by meteorologist, journalist, and author Bob Henson who will explain the science of climate change. We'll talk about climate versus…