#85 Can Rice Be Fancy?

#85 Can Rice Be Fancy?

Author: USA Rice February 27, 2024 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 this question and sample fancy food. He's back to talk about his observations with Lesley and share an interview with California rice farmers (and show exhibitors) Tom and Carter Knowles of Chico Rice. He also visited with Laurie Demeritt, CEO of The Hartman Group about food trends and consumer desires. And SFA's Leana Salamah stops by to talk about the market and her organization.

With special guests:

Leana Salamah​​​​ SVP, Marketing & Communications, Specialty Food Association, Laurie Demeritt, CEO, The Hartman Group, Carter Knowles, Chico Rice, and Tom Knowles, Chico Rice

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
#29 The Importance of Research to the U.S. Rice Industry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:07
Research is vitally important to the rice industry – so much so farmers, millers, & merchants pay for it themselves. Dr. Steve Linscombe, who knows rice research better than anyone, sits down with some of the most respec…
#27 Taxes & The Ag Economy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:46
Ever since Ben Franklin remarked that "in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes," the government has been tinkering with the tax code and taxpayers have been trying to survive. A new study found proposed…
#26 Countries in Crisis: Haiti & Iraq [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:14
The top destination for U.S. milled rice is Haiti, where an assassinated president and civil unrest have led to some of the worst violence in decades, including the theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars of rice and o…
#24 Rice State Ag Officials Round Table [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:53
Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward and Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain join the podcast to talk about infrastructure, counterterrorism, the Farm Bill, WOTUS, climate change, Dic…
#23 Row Rice, Furrow Irrigation, and AWD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:12
Water efficiency is vital for farmers' bottom lines, the planet, and the rice industry's social license to operate. While not available to all growers, row rice offers many advantages. Dr. Steve Linscombe welcomes Dr. Ja…
#22 The Beerisode - Drinking Rice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:54
Anheuser-Busch is the #1 user of sustainably grown U.S. rice. They use rice in Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and even in new Bud Light Seltzers. Hellbender Brewing Co. brewmaster Ben Evans joins the podcast to ta…
#21 The Consequences of Maximum Residue Limits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:56
The European Union has announced a complete ban on propiconazole to go into effect in September 2021. Michael and Lesley examine the decision to arbitrarily remove this tool from the farmer's toolbox. USA Rice's Internat…
#20 Mental Health Awareness and Rural Communities [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:39
Farmers and people in rural communities operate under tremendous stress that may feel unbearable. Michael & Lesley talk with experts about stress, anxiety, depression, and preventing suicide. Psychiatrist and neuroscient…