#126 Live from Outlook 2025: Rice Innovation in Food and Drink

#126 Live from Outlook 2025: Rice Innovation in Food and Drink

Author: USA Rice December 16, 2025 Duration: 35:59
The 2025 USA Rice Outlook Conference was a record-setting success. One widely-attended session on the FMC Stage was "Brewing and Beyond." Michael Klein was joined by food scientist Dr. Scott Lafontaine, Exceedient Foods' Derek Alarcon, and from J.T. Meleck Distillers Emily Meyers. From rice varieties and gel temps to flavor profiles and being a whiskey taster, the panel unpacked a lot of innovation.

Learn more at:
www.exceedientfoods.com 
www.food-science.uark.edu 
www.jtmeleck.com 
@jtmeleck2.0
 
With special guests:
Dr. Scott Lafontaine, University of Arkansas Center for Beverage Innovation and Derek Alarcon, Exceedient Foods, Farmers' Rice Cooperative, and Emily Meyers, J.T. Meleck Distillers
 
Hosted by:
Michael Klein

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: 100

The Rice Stuff
Podcast Episodes
#92 Rice: It's Not Just for Dinner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:41
Michael and Lesley explore some non-table uses of rice from pet food to panko and from snacks to sake. They are joined by Rick Rhody and Rodrigo Batista from Farmers' Rice Cooperative and Exceedient Foods; farmer and mar…
#91 Being a MyPlate National Strategic Partner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:40
USDA's MyPlate program is a vital public health program designed to help Americans eat healthy, balanced diets. Strategic Partners, like USA Rice, amplify important nutrition messages. USDA's Dr. Caree Cartwright and Yet…
#90 Rice Roots in South Carolina [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:52
In this episode, hosts Michael Klein, Lesley Dixon, and Dr. Steve Linscombe delve into rice farming in South Carolina, from the 1700s to today. They cover rice's role in shaping the character of the American South, the u…
#89 Taking a Victory Lap: Celebrating Successes in the Rice Industry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:38
High performing people & organizations often don't celebrate their victories before tackling the next project. We take a breath for this episode to focus on important successes in the industry that benefit us all. First,…
#88 Addressing Grain Characteristic Concerns With FECARROZ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:15
Latin America is an important destination for U.S.-grown rice, but consumers there have different expectations for their rice than U.S. consumers. In this episode, Michael & Lesley talk about this with Sarah Moran, Chief…
#87 Sake All Day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:45
The Rice Stuff's most prolific recurring guest, Cameron Jacobs, tells Michael and Lesley all about his adventures at the American Craft Sake Fest in Hot Springs, AR. Turns out, sake brewed with U.S.-grown rice pairs well…
#86 Rice Pest Research [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:08
Humans aren't the only creatures who love to eat rice, which is why the work of entomologists like Dr. Blake Wilson of the LSU Ag Center and Dr. Lina Bernaola of Texas A&M Agrilife Research is so important. In this episo…
#85 Can Rice Be Fancy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:52
Members of the Specialty Food Association (SFA) create high-end foods and drinks. Rice is often found as an ingredient, but why not take the spotlight? Michael went to SFA's Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas last month to ask…
#84 USA Rice's Climate Smart Commodity Grants [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:27
In 2022, USDA announced Climate Smart Commodity grants, with the USA Rice - Ducks Unlimited - National Black Growers Council application receiving the highest score and $80 million. Throughout 2023, the details of the pr…
#83 Ag Labor, Wages, and the H-2A Program [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:24
U.S. agriculture is facing a major labor shortage and increasingly relies on foreign workers to keep food on our tables. The government program designed to help is complex, confusing, and confounding in many aspects. Ag…