The annual Rice Awards were presented on Dec. 7 in Little Rock, Arkansas.





Courtesy of USA Rice
New Rice Leadership Development Class Announced
Members of the 2025 Rice Leadership Development Class were announced recently during the annual Rice Awards Luncheon at this year’s USA Rice Outlook Conference. The class is comprised of seven rice industry professionals selected by a committee of agribusiness leaders.
“This is an excellent group that displays exceptional leadership potential,” said Rice Foundation Director Dr. Steve Linscombe. “They also represent a mix of southern and west coast individuals which always makes for good class dynamics.”
The new rice producer class members are Max Alves, Woodland, California; Lee Atwill, Little Rock, Arkansas; Wyatt Hardee, Gueydan, Louisiana; Logan Lemoine, Cheneyville, Louisiana; and Courteney Wall-Sisk, Paragould, Arkansas.
The new industry-related class members are Jeff Burns, Stuttgart, Arkansas; and Connor Webster, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The Rice Leadership Development Program gives young men and women a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication training. During a two-year period, class members attend four one-week sessions that are designed to strengthen their leadership skills.
John Deere Company, RiceTec, Inc., American Commodity Company, and Supreme Rice are sponsors of the Rice Leadership Development Program through a grant to The Rice Foundation, and USA Rice manages the program.