The Arkansas Rice Producers’ Group board of directors elected Dow Brantley of England as Chairman at its mid-year business meeting in Brinkley, Arkansas.

As chairman of the rice producers’ organization, Brantley also serves as chairman of the Arkansas Rice Federation, the advocate for all segments of the state's rice industry. He replaces Gary Sebree, a rice farmer from Almyra. David Gairhan of Jonesboro was elected vice-chairman of the group.

Brantley is a third generation family farmer and a partner of Brantley Farming Company. He joined the family operation in 2000, producing rice, corn, cotton, and soybeans. Brantley is a 1998 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where he received a bachelor of science in agricultural, food and life sciences.

After graduation, he worked at the USDA in Washington, D.C., before returning to the family farm. Brantley is also active in the National Cotton Council, USA Rice Federation, Arkansas Ag Council, and Arkansas Farm Bureau.

“I look forward to working with the rice farmers of Arkansas to tackle the many issues facing us,” said Brantley. “As Producers’ Group Chairman I plan to focus on farmer profitability with a key emphasis on farm bill development, market expansion and reducing the regulatory red tape that faces us in Little Rock and Washington. The rice industry is vital to the economy of Arkansas and the members of the Arkansas Rice Federation are working hard to insure that we maintain our position as the top rice producing state in the nation.”

Brantley and his wife, Amy, have three daughters, Caroline (5), Virginia (3), and Ruth (11 months).