From left: Rice Farming Editor Vicky Boyd, Horizon Ag's Tim Walker, Jimmy Hoppe, and USA Rice Chairman Dow Brantley.
Apr 22, 2016
ARLINGTON, VA -- USA Rice, in conjunction with Horizon Ag and Rice Farming magazine, is seeking nominations for the 2016 Rice Awards to recognize rice leaders who exemplify dedication, determination, and innovation to the industry.
The Rice Awards honor outstanding industry leaders from three distinct categories: Rice Farmer of the Year, Rice Industry Award, and the Rice Lifetime Achievement Award. To nominate a candidate for one of these prestigious awards, complete the application form by June 15 and follow the submission instructions listed there.
The award recipients will be recognized at the USA Rice Outlook Conference in Memphis, December 7-9, 2016, where an official presentation will be made at the annual awards luncheon. They will also be featured in a special insert of the December issue of Rice Farming.
"It's always so gratifying to have the opportunity to recognize individuals who have given so much of their lives to bettering the rice industry,” said Lia Guthrie, publisher of Rice Farming. “We look forward to presenting these awards once again with our partners, Horizon Ag, and USA Rice."
The recipients of last year’s Rice Awards were Rice Farmer of the Year, Jerry Hoskyn, of Stuttgart, Arkansas; Rice Industry Award, Keith Fontenot, LSU AgCenter county agent, Evangeline Parish, Louisiana; and Rice Lifetime Achievement Award, Jimmy Hoppe, Fenton, Louisiana.
Hoppe, whose rice farm in southwest Louisiana is a model of sustainability and conservation, accepted his award at last year’s conference in New Orleans, and said, “It’s overwhelming and humbling to have been chosen, and it’s been a pleasure to serve in this industry.”