Darryl E. Ray, director and founder of the Agricultural Policy Analysis Center will be the keynote speaker at the joint annual meeting of the Louisiana Rice Council (LARC) and Louisiana Rice Growers Association (LARGA) Jan. 28.

Ray, holder of the University of Tennessee’s Blasingame Chair of Excellence in Agricultural Policy, will discuss agriculture in a post-financial crisis era and the impact of the financial crisis on export markets along with other agricultural policy and trade issues.

LARC President Jimmy Hoppe and LARGA President Jeff Durand will provide updates on the activities of their organizations. The program will also include reports from the USA Rice Federation on issues and activities.

USA Rice VP International Promotion Jim Guinn will discuss international programs.

USA Rice President and CEO Betsy Ward will report on other activities and will present the annual financial report.

“This meeting provides an annual report to rice farmers on programs funded by the Louisiana rice promotion checkoff as well as timely information on other important issues,” said LARC President Jimmy Hoppe, a rice farmer from Iowa, La.

The meeting will be held at the International Rice Festival Building, 717 West Mill Street, Crowley, La. It will begin at 5 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m. Dinner will be served.