Session three of the Rice Leadership Development Program was held last week. Program participants learned about the similarities and differences between the California rice industry and the rest of the U.S. rice industry and compared the state's rice industry with its other agricultural industries.

The weeklong session included visits with processors, ingredient manufacturers, producers, regulators, researchers, water management and wildlife conservation organizations. Class members also participated in personal development training on how to manage board and committee meetings.

Producer members of the class are Brandon Bauman of Stuttgart, Ark.; Tom Butler of Robbins, Calif.; John Earles of Bunkie, La.; Kirk Satterfield of Benoit, Miss., and Josh Sheppard of Biggs, Calif. The industry-related members are Chad Duckworth of RiceTec, Inc. in Jonesboro, Ark., and Kyle Stovesand of AgHeritage Farm Credit Services in Stuttgart, Ark.

The Rice Leadership Development Program is sponsored by John Deere Co., RiceTec, Inc. and American Commodity Co. through a grant to the Rice Foundation and administered by the USA Rice Federation.