⋅ BY JOSH HANKINS ⋅
In a significant development for the rice industry, the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center (NERREC) recently celebrated its grand opening. The ceremony drew a host of dignitaries including Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, U.S. Congressman Rick Crawford, state legislators, research center stakeholders, and a large crowd of proud patrons of the impressive facility.
Dr. Tim Burcham, director of the NERREC, welcomed the group and gave praise and recognition to the center’s pioneers and visionaries with a brief history of how those industry leaders played their role in championing the progress of the center.
“Without a doubt, this project has been the most memorable and rewarding of my career,” said Burcham.
The mission of the NERREC is to discover and develop innovative, efficient rice production practices, using genetically diverse and adapted cultivars, to maximize net return for Arkansas rice producers, and to provide Extension-based education and outreach to the public on the value of Arkansas rice in a sustainable ecosystem.
The facility’s history began in August 2017 with a commitment from the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board, and the center was formally launched by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees in January 2019.
The large crowd was excited to see Governor Sanders who spoke on the importance of the rice industry in Arkansas.
“It is great to be here to help open our state’s newest agricultural research and Extension center,” Sanders said. “I want to thank Jim Whitaker and the entire Rice Research and Promotion Board for their work and the many other donors who helped make today possible.”
In addition to the research conducted, the NERREC education and outreach component aims to provide youth and adults across the state with an educational experience focused on Arkansas rice production and an opportunity to experience the different tastes, smells, and textures of rice varieties prepared in a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen.
“One of the things that make this facility so special is it isn’t just for research and education. It’s also for outreach, which is such a critical component in the success and future of agriculture in our state,” Sanders continued.
“One of my favorite parts of this facility is the teaching kitchen. We all know Arkansas is the number one rice-producing state in the country, but beyond that, we are big suppliers of broilers, catfish, soy, and corn. Arkansas should be able to cook with what we grow in our state, and this facility will teach people how to use the products that our farmers work so hard to produce.”
The program included updates from Congressman Rick Crawford, the research center is in his congressional district; remarks from current and former Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board members Jim Whitaker and Marvin Hare; Steve Cox on the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees; Dr. Deacue Fields III, vice president for agriculture of the U of A system; along with many of the naming sponsors.
The gathering concluded with facility tours, refreshments, and enthusiasm. The grand opening marked a moment when the vision of the industry’s forward-thinking leaders came to fruition, transforming an idea into a vital resource for farmers, the state, and the entire rice industry.