New FAS Trade Specialist Oversees Millions for Rice Promotions

 
Guatemala promotion, woman wearing red apron holds brochures stands in front of Piensa en Arroz sign
FAS funds U.S. rice marketing programs around the globe
Jan 19, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC -- USA Rice has a close relationship with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, from enhancing Farm Service Agency conservation programs to working collaboratively with Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) cooperator programs.  A key component in this relationship is the FAS international trade specialist, who reviews rice’s annual Unified Export Strategy and evaluates the effectiveness of current marketing activities.  

Beginning this month, Curtis McCoy is the new FAS trade specialist for rice.  McCoy started at FAS in 2017 and has a strong background in international agricultural programming, including developing, implementing, and overseeing sustainable livelihoods initiatives.

“Curtis hit the ground running by participating in the eight-hour meeting last week to discuss USA Rice’s planned 2022 promotional programs,” said Steve Vargas, chair of the USA Rice International Promotion Committee.  

For 2022, USA Rice was awarded more than $5.5 million (see USA Rice Daily, November 22, 2021) to promote brands sourcing U.S. rice worldwide, develop robust social media marketing programs, and facilitate interactions between buyers and sellers of U.S. rice.

The FAS Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) programs have strengthened and broadened U.S. rice exports by enabling marketing programs to be established in nearly two dozen overseas markets.  

“We’ve been really lucky with our previous marketing specialists who have helped refine and improve our programs, and have no doubt that Curtis will continue that trend,” said Vargas.