Mississippi’s 259 rice-producing farms rank the state No. 5 nationally in rice production, a fact highlighted in September when Mississippians are urged to “Think Rice.”
They also are invited to celebrate rice and bring awareness to this important row crop at the Annual Delta Rice Tasting Luncheon in Cleveland. The event will be held Sept. 20 at the Delta State University Wyatt Gymnasium.
Tickets are $5 in advance at the Mississippi State University Extension Service office in Bolivar County or at the door.
The event is sponsored by MSU Extension and Delta Rice Promotions Inc. Call 662-843-8371 for more information about tickets.
This year marks the 29th annual celebration of Mississippi Rice Month. National Rice Month is a commemoration initiated by Congress to recognize the contribution the U.S. rice industry makes to the national economy.
Within Mississippi, rice had a $117 million value of production in 2018 on a yield of more than 10 million hundredweights — 1 billion pounds — of rice produced. Bolivar County leads the state in rice production, which makes it a logical place to host the annual rice events.