#128 The 2026 Farm Policy Fly-in & Nathan Childs

#128 The 2026 Farm Policy Fly-in & Nathan Childs

Author: USA Rice February 17, 2026 Duration: 48:23

Michael Klein reports from a packed USA Rice Farm Policy Fly-In in D.C., where growers discussed rising input costs, trade pressures, emergency assistance, world rice stocks, planting intentions, and more. USA Rice members Paul T. Combs and Fred Zaunbrecher talked planting strategy and rice's reception on Capitol Hill. USDA senior leaders shared their thoughts on the ag economy, and then recently retired USDA ag economist Nathan Childs was honored and sat down to share his uncensored thoughts on applied economics, agriculture, the PIK years, market instability and how to counteract it, and learning from history.

With special guests:

  • Nathan Childs, USDA-ERS (Retired)
  • Paul T. Combs, Sunrise Land Company
  • Fred Zaunbrecher, Chair, USA Rice Farmers Board of Directors
  • Richard Fordyce, Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, USDA
  • Stephen Vaden, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, USDA

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
#42 All About Mexico [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:10
The United States and Mexico have a very special trade relationship – especially when it comes to U.S.-grown rice. In this episode, USA Rice Director of International Promotion Asiha Grigsby comes in to talk about the to…
#41 Global Trade Update [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:50
War in Europe, continuing supply chain and logistics challenges, climate change, economic pressures, an absentee trade agenda from the Biden Administration, and more are making it difficult to be optimistic about anythin…
#40 Healthy Eating with High Protein, Low Glycemic Index Rice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:26
People who need to control their blood sugar often give up rice. But thanks to a new variety with a low glycemic index, that may no longer be necessary. It's also high in protein & delicious. Developed at the LSU AgCente…
#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…

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