#64 Rice & the 2023 Farm Bill

#64 Rice & the 2023 Farm Bill

Author: USA Rice March 14, 2023 Duration: 38:32

The 2023 Farm Bill is expected to be a $1.7 trillion piece of legislation (that's "trillion" with a T). Less than 20 percent actually finds its way to U.S. farms so making the case why you need attention can be "do-or-die." Fresh off a Farmer Fly-in, USA Rice Senior Director Jamison Cruce joins us to talk about rice's legislative priorities for this massive bill. Also, Michael sat down with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to talk rice farmer assistance and communicating about agriculture in general.

With special guests:

Jamison Cruce, Senior Director of Government Affairs, USA Rice, LG Raun, Texas Rice Farmer, and Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

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
#49 Koji Mold, Sake, and You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:37
Lesley went on location for this episode to talk about koji, the official mold of Japan, with chef Jeremy Umansky (@TMGastronaut) who co-wrote "Koji Alchemy" and uses koji in his Jewish-style delicatessen in Ohio. She al…
#48 Cuba: ¡dale, Vamos a La Isla! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:07
Cuba was at one time the largest export market for U.S.-grown rice, but the Kennedy Administration's embargo of The Island brought an end to that. And 60 years later, we're still feeling the effects: a food crisis in Cub…
#47 Innovations That Have Revolutionized the Rice Industry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:33
Agriculture is at the intersection of science, determination, and good fortune – and innovation keeps everything moving forward. Two renowned rice scientists, Dr. Eric Webster and Dr. Steve Linscombe, join this episode t…
#46 Farm Bill 2023 - An Early Look [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:42
The 2018 Farm Bill is expiring and work has begun on the 2023 Farm Bill that could well spend $1 trillion. Mississippi rice farmer and chair of the USA Rice Farm Policy Task Force Kirk Satterfield joins the podcast to ta…
#45 Imposters Among Us [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:05
Rice pretenders invaded supermarket shelves, establishing a beachhead with minced cauliflower. Now chickpeas, lentils, peas, and other assorted not rice things have joined in. If they didn't call themselves "rice" we wou…
#44 Rice Breeding for Latin America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:00
Combined, the countries of Latin America are the second largest export market for U.S. rice. Changes in consumer preference and U.S. quality (real and perceived) has put U.S. rice behind. But many are working hard to res…
#43 Climate Change – Part Three of Five – Policy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:36
Part 3 of our Climate Change series looks at climate policy. In this episode we're joined by Steve Dyokas, Senior Advisor in the State Department's Office of Global Change, to talk about the global AIM for Climate initia…
#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…