Florida Joins USA Rice Farmers

ARLINGTON, VA – Florida rice farmers have officially joined the USA Rice Farmers, the leading national organization representing all U.S. rice farmers.
 
During the 2022 USA Rice Outlook Conference, the USA Rice Farmers Board of Directors approved the Sunshine State’s admittance as an associate member state, the first step in the process of joining the organization.  During the USA Rice business meetings held earlier this month, the USA Rice Farmers approved changes that would allow for four non-voting seats on the Board and the ability for Florida farmers to serve on the organization’s committees.  Florida is the first associate member to join the USA Rice Farmers.
 
“We are excited to bring Florida into the fold and we welcome them to the USA Rice Farmers organization,” said Curtis Berry, a Mississippi rice farmer and chair of the USA Rice Farmers.  “With the addition of Florida, we continue to expand our reach to ensure American rice farmers’ policy priorities are heard in Washington, DC, and across the country from a single voice.”
 
Florida produces approximately 25,000 acres of rice each year near Belle Glade, south of Lake Okeechobee.  This rice is processed by Sem-Chi Rice Mill, a longstanding member of the USA Rice Millers’ Association.
 
“Florida rice farmers are thrilled to become an associate member of the USA Rice Farmers and we look forward to working with the organization on all fronts,” said Daniel Cavazos, a member of the 2022-24 Rice Leadership Development Class who serves as the director of rice and organic farming for Florida Crystals Corporation.  “As a part of this leading group, we know that much good work will continue to be done supporting the U.S. rice farmer.”
 
USA Rice Farmers is one of three charter members of the USA Rice Federation, and is composed entirely of rice farmers from Arkansas, California, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas.  This representative body ensures a forum for policy development on issues that affect rice farmers, and a voice for rice farmers to advance and implement activities to address those issues.