#89 Taking a Victory Lap: Celebrating Successes in the Rice Industry
Release Date: 04/24/2024
#111 The Federal Reserve Banking System and Rice
The Rice Stuff
What, how, and why does the Federal Reserve do what it does? Hosts Michael Klein and Deborah Willenborg dive into a lively, humorous, and insightful conversation with Matuschka Lindo Briggs of the Little Rock branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis to get to the bottom of it all. From the Fed's ag advisory council to the Beige Book, and from consumer confidence to what's going on in Kansas City, this episode makes the decisions behind monetary policy relatable and even fun. With special guest: Matuschka Lindo Briggs, senior vice president and regional executive of the Little Rock...
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#110 The ROI of Rice Checkoff
The Rice Stuff
The check off program is at times controversial, but do growers who pay into the program (and even those who don't) receive a good value for what they contribute? In this episode, Michael talks with Dr. Lanier Nalley, professor of ag economics at the University of Arkansas about his research into the ROI of the Arkansas check-off. Growers see orders of magnitude of return for every dollar - returns that are the stuff of legend. With special guest: Dr. Lawton Lanier Nalley, Professor & Director, Fryar Price Risk Management Center of Excellence, Graduate Program Coordinator Hosted by:...
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#109 E-commerce Evolution and the Future of Retail
The Rice Stuff
How has the digital revolution changed the way we shop? Hosts Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon explore shifts in consumer behavior, from online grocery orders to AI-powered shopping assistants. E-commerce marketing expert Eric Martindale joins to discuss the future of retail, how brands can thrive in this space, and why digital shelf space is the new battleground. Plus, listener mail proves people are tuning in! Don’t miss this deep dive into the evolving world of e-commerce. With special guest: Eric Martindale, CEO, Elite Commerce Group Hosted by: Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon
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#108 AI on the Menu: Reshaping the Food Industry With Andreas Duess
The Rice Stuff
How is AI transforming the food industry? Hosts Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon talk with Andreas Duess, CEO of 6 Seeds Consulting, about AI-driven data, virtual consumer panels, and predicting food trends. From the impact of Ozempic on grocery shopping to the viral rise of air fryers, this conversation reveals how AI can be a powerful business tool—when used correctly. Tune in to explore the future of food, marketing, and consumer insights! With special guest: Andreas Duess, CEO and Founder, 6 Seeds Consulting Hosted by: Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon
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#107 A Rice Retrospective
The Rice Stuff
What’s changed the most in rice farming over the past 50 years? Four life-long farmers from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and California discuss the game-changing innovations that have revolutionized everything from planting and harvesting to nitrogen use, marketing, and tractor tech. From GPS-guided combines to the rise of semi-dwarf rice varieties, hear how technology and research powered dramatic yield boosts. With special guests: Michael Rue, California rice farmer, Jackie Loewer, Louisiana rice farmer, Marvin Hare, Arkansas rice farmer, and L.G. Raun, Texas rice farmer Hosted by: Dr....
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#106 New Year, New Dietary Guidelines
The Rice Stuff
Cameron Jacobs, USA Rice's vice president of domestic promotion, makes his 2025 debut on The Rice Stuff to discuss rice's role in U.S. nutrition policy, the process of updating the government's dietary guidelines every five years, and how USA Rice advocates for rice to be recognized and recommended as an important part of a balanced and healthy diet. And what does "healthy" mean, by the way? What exactly IS a grain? Tune in to find out. With special guest: Cameron Jacobs, USA Rice VP of Domestic Promotion Hosted by: Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon
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#105 A Flurry of End of Year Activity in Congress
The Rice Stuff
Before Members of Congress could leave Washington at the end of 2024, there was a lot of business to attend to that directly impacted the rice industry (and the entire country). USA Rice's Jamison Cruce recounts the "mad dash" to the end that resulted in economic assistance for farmers, disaster aid, a Continuing Resolution, and another Farm Bill extension. That, plus how hard is yoga and how bad are Texas allergies? With special guest: Jamison Cruce, VP Government Affairs, USA Rice Hosted by: Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon
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#104 2024 National Rice Month Scholarship Video Contest Winner
The Rice Stuff
A highlight of the USA Rice Outlook Conference is meeting the many award winners who are celebrated throughout the event. In this episode, Michael and Lesley chat about the 2024 USA Rice Outlook Conference and in particular, Lesley's interview with the National Rice Month Video Scholarship winner, Helen Lan. Meet a rising young star so you can say, "I've known about Helen for years!" Check out and all the winners on the USA Rice YouTube Page. With special guest: Helen Lan, NRM Scholarship Grand Prize Winner Hosted by: Lesley Dixon and Michael Klein
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#103 The 87th International Rice Festival
The Rice Stuff
Lesley finally made it to International Rice Festival, and she recaps her whirlwind experience at one of Louisiana's biggest and longest-running celebrations of agriculture. Hearing her interviews with participants, organizers, and competition winners is the next best thing to attending the fest yourself--but really, you should attend the fest yourself. With special guests: Robbie Trahan, Falcon Rice Mill & Festival Sponsor, Josh Spell, Festival President, Alex Theall, Chef de Riz, Troy Fruge, Farmer of the Year, Alana Abshire, 87th Rice Festival Queen, Isabella Hardy, 86th Rice...
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#102 So You Want to Start a Rice Brand?
The Rice Stuff
Michael and Lesley explore brand creation, marketing, and loyalty with two USA Rice members who are blazing a path for their rice. Pam West of Texas Rice Milling, whose new brand is winning hearts and minds in Texas joins Sam Schneider whose is celebrating two years in markets all over the midwest and elsewhere. From how to name brands to reaching consumers and telling your story, Sam and Pam don't hold back, sharing their experiences. Plus, Michael and Lesley talk nutrition supplements, video equipment, and the age old question, "Is Pepsi okay?" With special guests: Pam West, Business...
info_outlineHigh 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, Adam Shea of Riceland Foods is back, and he’s brought Austin Brown to talk about their Carbon Ready Program that is saving water, reducing GHGs, and putting money in farmers’ pockets. Then Louisiana farmer Fred Zaunbrecher stops by to talk about his shift from diesel power to electricity for water pumping on his family farm. Yay us!
With special guests:
Adam Shea, Riceland Foods, Austin Brown, Riceland Foods, and Fred Zaunbrecher
Hosted by:
Michael Klein, Lesley Dixon, and Steve Linscombe