Seven new members of the 2016/18 Rice Leadership Development Program class were named during the annual Rice Awards Luncheon at the 2015 USA Rice Outlook Conference. This year’s conference was held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The USA Rice Outlook Conference is where the U.S. rice industry meets, bringing together rice farmers, millers, merchants, and representatives of allied businesses from all rice-producing states and beyond for information and interaction, and featuring a trade show devoted to rice-related farm equipment, technology, products and services.

The class is comprised of five rice producers and two industry-related professionals selected by a committee of agribusiness leaders.

“The rice industry enjoys strong leadership, and has a bright future. This program plays a critical role thanks to the intensive training and the high caliber participants,” said Rice Foundation Chairman Todd Burich.

The new rice-producer class members are Michael Bosworth, Olivehurst, Calif; Imran Khan, Chico, Calif; Allen McLain, Abbeville, Louisiana; Sidney Robnett, Stuttgart, Ark; and Brandon Truax, Gillett, Ark. The new industry-related class members are Sunny Bottoms with Horizon Ag, of Dumas, Ark., and Kristopher Riggs with Anheuser-Busch, of Jonesboro, Ark.

The Rice Leadership Development Program gives young men and women a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication training. During a two-year period, class members attend four one-week sessions that are designed to strengthen their leadership skills.

John Deere Company, RiceTec, Inc., and American Commodity Company are sponsors of the Rice Leadership Development Program through a grant to The Rice Foundation. The USA Rice Federation manages the program.

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