By Mary Hightowe
The July 31 field day at the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center will not only have two field tour circuits covering rice, soybeans and corn, but also indoor seminars on rice in beer, the Endangered Species Act and updates on agricultural policy and economics.
This year’s keynote speaker is Jennifer Hare James, a fourth-generation rice farmer from Jackson County. She manages the family farm and Delta Soy, a specialty soybean business, alongside her father, husband, and son. A graduate of the University of Arkansas, James was recognized as the outstanding alumni of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences in 2024.
The lunch program also includes updates from Deacue Fields, head of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Peter Bachmann, president and CEO of USA Rice Federation.