The Rice Stuff

Arkansas farmers Joe Mencer and Jeff Rutledge stopped by the studio for a frank conversation with hosts Michael Klein and Caroline Slack about the need for a final Farm Bill and the pressing issues like soaring fertilizer costs, market manipulation, and the overall stress in the agricultural economy that are pushing many out of farming. Then Michael and Caroline visit with Steve Lerch, author of "Innovate: Igniting a Culture of Curiosity and Perpetual Improvement."

Buy Steve's book

With special guests:

• Joe Mencer, Arkansas farmer
• Jeff Rutledge, Arkansas farmer
• Steve Lerch, author

Hosted by:
Michael Klein and Caroline Slack

How is AI reshaping agriculture, and are farmers truly ready to embrace it? In this episode, we dive into the skepticism surrounding AI's role in farming, exploring its real-world applications and limitations. From enhancing crop management to aiding in equipment repairs, AI promises efficiency but raises concerns about data privacy, the potential for job displacement, and a rise in non-expert experts. Join us as we unpack insights from farmers, researchers, equipment manufacturers, and tech experts to unveil the future of AI in the agricultural sector.

With special guests:

• Adam Famoso, LSU AgCenter
• Whitney Brim-DeForest, UC Davis
• Christian Richard, Louisiana Rice Farmer
• Leo LaGrande, California Rice Farmer
• Jackson Baca, John Deere
• Steve Lerch, Author
• HAL 9000, Fictional Supercomputer
• Ian Malcolm, Fictional Mathematician

Hosted by:
Michael Klein and Caroline Slack

How do weeds impact rice production, and what can be done to manage them effectively? In this episode of the Rice Stuff Podcast, expert weed scientists discuss the challenges of weed control in rice farming, including the complexities of herbicides and the rise of resistant weed species. They share insights on innovative techniques and the role of flooding in weed management. Dive into the science behind rice cultivation and learn how modern strategies are evolving to tackle these persistent agricultural challenges.

With special guests:

• Jason Bond of the Mississippi State Delta Research and Extension Center
• Sam Rustom, assistant professor and extension rice specialist at Texas A&M
• Conner Webster, extension rice weed specialist for the LSU AgCenter
• Jason Norsworthy of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture

Hosted by:
Steve Linscombe

We're going to look at rice industry careers in this frank and heartfelt discussion. We'll meet two new USA Rice staff: Caroline Slack who is joining the communications and content team and will be your co-host going forward and Mollie Buckler, who brings her experience from a rival organization to grower relations and Asia market access. We also celebrate the long ag engineering career of Dr. Tim Burcham, who is retiring as the director of the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center. Everyone talks about their journeys, their inspirations, and what they learned along the way. All that, and a tribute to USA Rice's Deborah Willenborg who also retired this year.

With special guests:
Mollie Buckler, USA Rice and Dr. Tim Burcham, Northeast Rice Research & Extension Center

Hosted by:
Michael Klein and Caroline Slack

How do we bridge the gap between agriculture and the food on our plates? In this lively episode, Michael Klein and Deborah Willenborg sit down with Jerry Hagstrom, a seasoned ag journalist, at a bustling Georgetown restaurant. They delve into the evolution of agricultural journalism, the challenges of covering Congress, and Jerry's unique insights on food's role in agriculture. Discover how personal experiences shape journalism and the surprising connections between farmers and chefs. Tune in for an engaging meal of stories!

www.hagstromreport.com 
www.naaj.net/naaj-hillgren-scholarship 

With special guest:
Jerry Hagstom, The Hagstrom Report & National Journal
 
Hosted by:
Michael Klein and Deborah Willenborg

Join hosts Michael Klein and Morgan Crafton as they recount their trip to the 2026 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. They share interviews with Pei Wu of Mochi Foods who is using all California Rice, the passionate team from Riceland Foods, Steve Hilsdon of Della Rice who is all about unique partnerships, and Michael talks trends and strategy with industry expert Kevin Gross of Kinetic12. All that, plus interesting Coke flavors, flying pretzels, and more.

With special guests:

• Pei Wu, CEO & Founder, Mochi Foods
• Kevin Gross, Senior Partner, Kinetic12
• Hayley Pittman Smith, National Sales Director, Riceland Foods
• Lynsey Russell, Director of Food Service Sales, Riceland Foods
• Stephen Hilsdon, Owner, Della Rice

Hosted by:
Michael Klein and Morgan Crafton

The rough rice futures contract is a little understood device intended to provide price discovery and risk management. From humble beginnings in New Orleans, the rough rice contract grew into a vitally important tool that has helped the U.S. rice industry compete in the global market. Michael Klein went back to the very beginning to talk with Jerry Morris who was at the table when the contract was just a concept and still trades today. Brian King explains how the contract is used, Fred Seamon talks the basics of futures, and Randy McNeil shares how the rice merchants fit in.

With special guests:

• Jerry Morris
• Randy McNeil, President, Poinsett Rice & Grain
• Brian King, Owner, K & T Agri
• Fred Seamon, Executive Director, Agricultural Markets, CME Group

Hosted by:
Michael Klein

USA Rice's Cameron Jacobs joins Michael Klein to talk about last year's U.S. jasmine rice promotion campaign. They discuss the reasoning behind the outreach, target development, creative creation, tactics, methodology, and results. Plus Cameron shares some breaking news and offers a peek at future promotions. And given the timing, they take a look back at the 2026 NCAA March Madness campaign, that for Michael was much less successful than the jasmine campaign.

With special guest:
Cameron Jacobs, VP Domestic Promotion & March Madness Pool Commissioner, USA Rice
 
Hosted by:
Michael Klein

Michael went to Anaheim, California for one of the largest and most influential food shows in the country. He stalked the aisles finding new products and old friends, caught up with several USA Rice members who were there to rep U.S.-grown rice, and walked more than 45,000 steps for the pod. Listen in to learn about new rice uses, new companies, rice innovation, and more.

• www.batchfoods.co
• www.kevinsnaturalfoods.com
• www.dainty.ca
• www.dellarice.com
• www.nextgenfoods.com
• www.exceedientfoods.com
• www.lundberg.com
• www.chefbobo.com
• www.oliviascroutons.com
• www.raisedglutenfree.com 

With special guests:

• Bryce Lundberg, VP of Agriculture, Lundberg Family Farms
• Brita Lundberg, Communications Manager, Lundberg Family Farms
• Meryl Kennedy, CEO, 4Sisters Rice
• Steve Choi, Director of R&D, Chef Bobo Brand
• Michael Bosworth, CEO, Next Generation Foods
• Rick Rhody, CEO, Expedient Foods and Farmers' Rice Cooperative
• Charley Mathews, Jr., Chair, Farmers' Rice Cooperative
• Aidan Anvaripour, Founder, Batch Foods
• Chiedu Okeke, Director of Procurement, Kevin's Natural Foods
• Eric Martindale, Founder, Elite Commerce Group
• Jeff Clarke, VP of Sales, Specialty Rice, Inc.
• James Maitland, CEO, Dainty Foods and Dainty Foods US

Hosted by:
Michael Klein

Steve Linscombe has assembled rice breeding experts to talk about U.S. grain quality and what they are doing to improve it. From fissuring and milling yields to farm gate value and consumer preferences, join us for this important discussion.

With special guests:
Dr. Maria Montiel, Rice Breeder, HorizonAg, Dr. Tim Walker, CEO, HorizonAg, and Dr. Adam Famoso, Professor, LSU AgCenter

Hosted by:
Steve Linscombe and Michael Klein