The 31^st Rice Leadership Development Program class was announced at the 2019 USA Rice Outlook Conference held recently in Little Rock, Ark.

The comprehensive program maintains a curriculum designed to develop and enhance the leadership qualities and characteristics of participants. "It is a two-year program consisting of four one-week sessions, during which participants have the opportunity to visit many of the country's rice-producing states," says Steve Linscombe, director, The Rice Foundation, who worked at the Louisiana State University Rice Research Center for 35 years.

Class participants will also visit a rice export facility in New Orleans, the Chicago Board of Trade, John Deere's Combine Harvest Works facility in East, Moline, Ill., and Washington, D.C. "We want to make each class aware of all aspects of the U.S. rice industry so they can relate information to others about our industry and increase their confidence in presenting it to the general public," Linscombe said.

The Leadership Class has enjoyed long-term sponsorship from the American Commodity Company, John Deere and RiceTec, Inc.

The 2019 Rice Leadership Development Program Class includes: Christine Wylie, Colusa, Calif.; Derek Sohnrey, Chico, Calif.; Elliot Maschmann, Oran, Mo.; Garrett Williams, Stuttgart, Ark.; Mallory Everett, McCrory, Ark.; Adam Shea, Little Rock, Ark., and Jason Waller, Mer Rouge, La.

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