Dr. Manoch Kongchum of Thailand was named the 2026 Rice Researcher of the Year, and Mark Pousson of Welsh, Louisiana was named the Rice Farmer of the year at the 29th Annual National Conservation Systems Cotton & Rice Conference, which is held in conjunction with the Southern Soybean & Corn, Delta State Irrigation and Southern Precision Ag Conferences. All these are under the sponsorship banner of Mid America Farm Publications, AgWiki.com, Cotton Incorporated and the U.S. Rice Producers.
This conference has the reputation as being the number one place where all producers can learn the latest production methods and techniques being utilized by the leading ag producers, researchers and the ag industry in the United States.
The conference is fast becoming the leading source for Certified Crop Consultants to earn Continuing Education Credits (CEU’s). The conference was approved for over 60 hours of CEU’s by the Certified Crop Advisors Association.
Academic Co-Sponsors are: University of Arkansas, Mississippi State University, University of Missouri, University of Tennessee, LSU AgCenter, Auburn University and Texas A&M. Technical Partners are USDA-ARS centers in Oxford, MS, Stoneville, MS and Auburn, AL.
Dr. Kongchum studied at Khon Kaen University, in Kong Kaen, Thailand in the early part of his career. He received his B.S. & in M.S. in Agriculture (Soil Sciences) from there in 1983 and 1986.
After graduation, he spent twelve years as a soil scientist at the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Philippines. There he worked in collaboration with the Thailand Rice Research Institute, working to reduce poverty and hunger by advancing rice science, farming practices and food systems in Asia and Africa.
He came to the United States in 2001 and settled at Louisiana State University. While working full time, he also earned a second M.S. in Environmental Sciences and a Ph. D in Agronomy from LSU in 2005. He has devoted his professional career to the LSU Ag Center, working at the Coastal Wetland Soils Characterization Laboratory and Callegari Environmental Center and the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station, serving as an instructor, laboratory manager and research agronomist. In 2021, he was promoted to the position of Associate Professor of Research at LSU. Kongchum spent time at the LSU campus in Baton Rouge, before moving to the LSU AgCenter site in Crowley, Louisiana.
Kongchum is widely regarded as an expert in greenhouse gas emissions from rice fields and rice water management. He is also considered to be an expert in the study of rice fertility and agronomy research. He oversees the management of more than 4,000 small plots across LSU’s research locations, adding to his reputation as an exceptional organizer.
According to Dustin Harrell, Director of the California Rice Experiment Station in Biggs, California, “Dr. Kongchum is an accomplished, humble and highly dedicated scientist. His work has had a meaningful impact on rice research and production in Louisiana and beyond.”
Dr. Ronnie Levy of the LSU AgCenter says that “Dr. Manoch Kongchum is an exceptional researcher, a dedicated colleague and a valuable asset to rice producers and the rice industry.”
Pousson is a 1987 graduate of McNeese State University. He is a fourth generation southwest Louisiana farmer.
Since 2012, Pousson has managed the South Louisiana Rail Facility & Mill LLC in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He was one of a group of farmers that established the storage unit that ships rice departing from the Port of Lake Charles, to primarily Mexico and Honduras, but also to numerous countries in Central & South America.
Pousson is also the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Rice Producers Association. He makes several trips to the U.S. Capitol each year to confer with Louisiana’s Congressional delegation about agricultural policy as it relates to rice producers.
He also developed the USRPA Farmer Exchange Program, which was designed to connect rice producers across the United States.
Mark was nominated for the honor by Mollie Buckler, the Executive Director of the U.S. Rice Producers.
Buckler praised Pousson for his devotion to the cause of rice production. “Mark’s commitment to the U.S. rice industry and his fellow rice producer is unmatched. Over the years I’ve watched him consistently advocate for and advance the U.S. rice industry, often thinking outside of the box to get things done. As a dedicated board member of the US Rice Producers Association, he brings valuable insight and a steady voice to the table. I’ve come to consider him a trusted mentor whose guidance has shaped my own perspective and growth within the industry.
His leadership has brought people together in moments when collaboration was essential, and he never hesitates to put in the extra effort when the industry needs it most. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he exemplifies what it means to be a great husband, father, and grandfather. Mark’s vision, paired with his relentless work ethic, continues to make a lasting impact on the future of U.S. rice,” according to Buckler.
Pousson is praised for his innovative work in developing the SLRF and guiding its success while facing and overcoming the numerous challenges the facility has dealt with during its existence. In 2020, after hurricanes devastated much of southwest Louisiana’s on-farm storage, Pousson led SLRF in its partnership with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture to construct new storage capacity, helping farmers recover and continue their operations.
Industry observers note Pousson’s influence extends beyond southwest Louisiana. The SLRF is credited with strengthening the U.S. Rice Industry by expanding its markets. According to Buckler and many in the rice industry, Mark Pousson’s vision, dedication and leadership has undeniably strengthened today’s U.S. Rice Industry.
Pousson resides with his wife Jo Lynn and children Madalyn, Marcus, Thomas and Gabe in Welsh, Louisiana. ∆