The Rice Stuff

Crafting a global marketing strategy for U.S.-grown rice is a heavy lift. Hosts Michael Klein and first-time co-host Cameron Jacobs dive into international marketing with Corey Hayes and Liz Deets, co-founders of Get Back Here Dog, the full service agency working with USA Rice. They discuss creating a global digital playbook everyone can draw from no matter the market and how authenticity, strategy and a love of rice fuel their creative approach. With special guests: Liz Deets, Co-founder, Get Back Here Dog and Corey Hayes, Co-founder, Get Back Here Dog Hosted by: Michael Klein and Cameron Jacobs

Michael Klein was back in Crowley, Louisiana for the 88th International Rice Festival and has returned with interviews with the Chef De Riz, the Rice Farmer of the Year, the 87th and 88th International Rice Festival Queens, and guest judges and USA Rice members Kirk and Bridget Satterfield and Jim and Lesli Whitaker. Deborah Willenborg sits in the cohost chair with recollections of past festivals. With special guests: Katherine Richard, 2025 Chef de Riz Eric Unkle, 2025 Rice Farmer of the Year Alana Abshire, 87th International Rice Festival Queen Ansley Dawson, 88th International Rice Festival Queen Kirk Satterfield, Mississippi Rice Farmer Bridget Satterfield Jim Whitaker, Arkansas Rice Farmer Lesli Whitaker   Hosted by: Michael Klein and Deborah Willenborg

USA Rice's Chain Engagement Program brings U.S.-grown rice concepts and information to restaurant operators of all sizes. It also brings culinary and marketing teams to farms and mills to make deeper connections. In October 2025, USA Rice brought a team from the Salad Collective, operators of Mad Greens, Snappy Salads, and Tokyo Joe's, to California during harvest. Their schedule was packed, touring Farmers' Rice Cooperative, Christine Wylie's seed operation, and Charley Mathews Jr's dryer and farm, as well as seeing wildlife and water management up close. Michael was on the tour and sat down with Cameron Jacobs to talk about the concepts as well as tour participants. With special guests: Chef Jeff DiSanto, Director of Culinary, Salad Collective, Dawn Whittenburg, Director of Marketing, Tokyo Joe's, and Cameron Jacobs, VP of Domestic Promotion, USA Rice Hosted by: Michael Klein and Deborah Willenborg

The 2025 National Association of State Departments of Agriculture held their annual meeting in Northwest Arkansas. The event brought ag commissioners and secretaries from all 50 states and several territories, as well as delegations from major trading partners, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for several days of policy meetings, networking, and more. Michael caught up with Louisiana's Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain and Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture and event host Wes Ward for on the spot reports. With special guests: Dr. Mike Strain, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry and Wes Ward, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Hosted by: Micheal Klein

How are Texas rice farmers battling an insect that's devastating their crops? In this urgent episode, experts detail the impact of the invasive rice delphacid and its link to a major plant virus. Get insights from farmers, researchers and entomologists on current challenges, control methods, and why this pest is a growing threat across the Southern U.S. Don't miss this revealing look at rice farming under siege. With special guests: Dr. Lina Bernaola, Entomologist, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Dr. Sam Rustom, Weed Scientist, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Cliff Mock, Texas rice farmer & crop consultant Hosted by: Steve Linscombe and Michael Klein

It's the most wonderful time of year: National Rice Month! This year is the 35th Anniversary and co-hosts Michael Klein and Asiha Grigsby are joined by USA Rice's Cameron Jacobs and Deborah Willenborg to talk all things NRM. From newsletters, influencers, and the 10th annual NRM Video Scholarship contest, to restaurant partners Fuzzy's Taco Shop and Rock N Roll Sushi, and shelf talkers in 1,000 supermarkets, it will be difficult to avoid NRM messaging! Plus, cook offs, massive rice donations, and a sneak peek of the all new U.S. jasmine ad campaign. Dig in and Think Rice! www.thinkrice.com/jasmine www.reelricecontest.com www.youtube.com/@TheUsaRiceFederation With special guests: Cameron Jacobs, USA Rice and Deborah Willenborg, USA Rice Hosted by: Michael Klein and Asiha Grigsby

Host Michael Klein sits down with USA Rice Chair and Producers Rice Mill CEO Keith Glover to discuss trade, tariffs, export trends, market disruption, sustainability, and more. From reciprocal tariff policies to freight rail performance, Glover covers the challenges and opportunities confronting the U.S. rice industry. With special guest: Keith Glover, President & CEO Producers Rice Mill, Chair USA Rice Hosted by: Michael Klein

Aisha Grigsby takes Michael on a tour of the rice export markets she manages for USA Rice. It's a deep dive into dynamic marketing strategies in Mexico, Central America, South America, Haiti, and Canada. She talks about VR games, chef influencers, consumer preferences, data insights and more. With special guest: Asiha Grigsby, USA Rice Hosted by: Michael Klein

Michael welcomes USA Rice's Jake Westlin back to explain why agriculture is excited about H.R. 1, aka Budget Reconciliation aka The Big Beautiful Bill. From more realistic reference prices and increased support for trade promotion to farm financials and conservation programs, Jake explains it all. He even gets Michael to (kind of) understand crop insurance and base acres. With special guest: Jake Westlin, Vice President of Government Affairs, USA Rice Hosted by: Michael Klein

Michael Klein and Sarah Moran talk about their recent trip to rice field days in Louisiana. This episode features interviews with Drs. Ronnie Levy and Adam Famoso from the LSU AgCenter; Dr. Tim Walker from Horizon Ag; and Dr. Brian Ottis from RiceTec. Plus, a special winged guest and Sarah went to the Waffle House! With special guests: Dr. Adam Famoso, LSU AgCenter, Dr. Ronnie Levy, LSU AgCenter, Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag, and Dr. Brian Ottis, RiceTec Hosted by: Michael Klein and Sarah Moran

Michael Klein invites Shelby Young to ride shotgun and talk a bit about the 125th RMA Convention and their wild return trip. Then, meet new USA Rice VP Jake Westlin as he shares insights from the Senate, wheat world, and his first impressions of rice country. Don't miss this lively behind-the-scenes episode! With special guest: Jake Westlin, VP Government Affairs, USA Rice Hosted by: Michael Klein and Shelby Young

Michael is just back from eating his way across the 2025 National Restaurant Show in Chicago where he visited with members and investigated foodservice trends. Past show attendee Katie Maher stops by the studio to grill Michael about the show, and they listen to an interview from the show floor with Blaine Stewart of Heritage Rice Company. With special guest: Blaine Stewart, Heritage Rice Company Hosted by: Michael Klein and Katie Maher

Retired rice breeder extraordinaire Steve Linscombe talks with Randy Ouzts from Nutrien, Tim Walker of HorizonAg, and Brian Ottis of RiceTec about the challenges of seed production, breeding methods, hybrid vs. pure line development, determining seeding rates, and how weather and technology shape the seed supply. Discover the cutting-edge practices and decisions that fuel the rice industry from the ground up. https://www.horizonseed.com https://nutrienagsolutions.com https://ricetec.com With special guests: Brian Ottis, Director of U.S. Marketing and Product Management, RiceTec, Tim Walker, CEO, Horizon Ag, and Randy Ouzts, U.S. Rice Manager, Nutrien Ag Solutions Hosted by: Steve Linscombe and Michael Klein

Dr. Angelia Seyfferth, Professor of Biogeochemistry and Plant-Soil Interactions, shares her journey from humble beginnings to having a lab with her name on it at one of the most prestigious research universities in the country. She talks about her innovative study of arsenic uptake in rice, the trouble of salt water intrusion, and growing rice where it isn't typically found. Michael asks her about the challenges and rewards of academia, mentorship, gender representation in STEM, and more. https://seyfferthlab.org www.denin.udel.edu/salted-earth/ With special guest: Dr. Angelia Seyfferth, Professor & Associate Dean of Research, University of Delaware Hosted by: Michael Klein

What, how, and why does the Federal Reserve do what it does? Hosts Michael Klein and Deborah Willenborg dive into a lively, humorous, and insightful conversation with Matuschka Lindo Briggs of the Little Rock branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis to get to the bottom of it all. From the Fed's ag advisory council to the Beige Book, and from consumer confidence to what's going on in Kansas City, this episode makes the decisions behind monetary policy relatable and even fun. With special guest: Matuschka Lindo Briggs, senior vice president and regional executive of the Little Rock Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Hosted by: Michael Klein and Deborah Willenborg

The check off program is at times controversial, but do growers who pay into the program (and even those who don't) receive a good value for what they contribute? In this episode, Michael talks with Dr. Lanier Nalley, professor of ag economics at the University of Arkansas about his research into the ROI of the Arkansas check-off. Growers see orders of magnitude of return for every dollar - returns that are the stuff of legend. With special guest: Dr. Lawton Lanier Nalley, Professor & Director, Fryar Price Risk Management Center of Excellence, Graduate Program Coordinator Hosted by: Michael Klein

How has the digital revolution changed the way we shop? Hosts Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon explore shifts in consumer behavior, from online grocery orders to AI-powered shopping assistants. E-commerce marketing expert Eric Martindale joins to discuss the future of retail, how brands can thrive in this space, and why digital shelf space is the new battleground. Plus, listener mail proves people are tuning in! Don't miss this deep dive into the evolving world of e-commerce. www.elitecommercegroup.com www.linkedin.com/in/eric-martindale-amazonagency/ With special guest: Eric Martindale, CEO, Elite Commerce Group Hosted by: Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon

How is AI transforming the food industry? Hosts Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon talk with Andreas Duess, CEO of 6 Seeds Consulting, about AI-driven data, virtual consumer panels, and predicting food trends. From the impact of Ozempic on grocery shopping to the viral rise of air fryers, this conversation reveals how AI can be a powerful business tool—when used correctly. Tune in to explore the future of food, marketing, and consumer insights! https://6seedsconsulting.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreasduess With special guest: Andreas Duess, CEO and Founder, 6 Seeds Consulting Hosted by: Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon

What's changed the most in rice farming over the past 50 years? Four life-long farmers from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and California discuss the game-changing innovations that have revolutionized everything from planting and harvesting to nitrogen use, marketing, and tractor tech. From GPS-guided combines to the rise of semi-dwarf rice varieties, hear how technology and research powered dramatic yield boosts. With special guests: Michael Rue, California rice farmer, Jackie Loewer, Louisiana rice farmer, Marvin Hare, Arkansas rice farmer, and L.G. Raun, Texas rice farmer Hosted by: Dr. Steve Linscombe and Lesley Dixon

Cameron Jacobs, USA Rice's vice president of domestic promotion, makes his 2025 debut on The Rice Stuff to discuss rice's role in U.S. nutrition policy, the process of updating the government's dietary guidelines every five years, and how USA Rice advocates for rice to be recognized and recommended as an important part of a balanced and healthy diet. And what does "healthy" mean, by the way? What exactly IS a grain? Tune in to find out. With special guest: Cameron Jacobs, USA Rice VP of Domestic Promotion Hosted by: Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon