#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
#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…
#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…
#82 2023 USA Rice Outlook Conference Wrap Up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:24
The 2023 USA Rice Outlook Conference took place in early December in Indian Wells, California. Rice industry members from around the world gathered to network and learn from dozens of speakers on as many important topics…
#81 The Importance and Success of Rice Trade Missions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:30
With about half of the annual U.S. rice crop exported every year, maintaining & expanding overseas markets and finding new ones is a critical function for USA Rice. Reverse trade missions are an important tool for our ex…
#80 The 86th International Rice Festival [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:26
Once again, Michael attended the International Rice Festival (IRF) in Crowley, Louisiana and lived to tell the tale. Lesley & Michael discuss the interviews he brought back with the 86th IRF Rice Queen and her sister, th…