Missouri is one of the largest rice-producing states in the nation

Did you know that Missouri is one of the largest rice-producing states in the nation?

Missouri ranks 4th in the amount of acreage dedicated to rice growing behind Arkansas, California and Louisiana.

"If you travel much out of the bootheel at all and I tell someone I'm a rice farmer they are really surprised we grow rice here in Missouri."

The Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council (Missouri Rice Council) has voted to rejoin the USA Rice Federation, the national trade association and global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry.

Rance Daniels is a third-generation rice farmer from the Bootheel who is the current Chair of the Missouri Rice Council, the Vice Chair of the USA Rice Farmers Board, and has spent years building bridges between Missouri’s rice growers and the national industry.

He says 99% of the state's rice production happens on family farms in the southeast near Cape Girardeau.

"Yeah, it's primed for rice. Most of the bootheel used to be swamp before it was drained in the early 1900s so we have plentiful water. The bootheel is uniquely situated for rice production."

Daniels says farmers grow two types of rice in Missouri: long-grain and medium-grain.

"Long-grain rice is going to be rice like you have at your Mexican restaurant. They classify it by the length of the grain. And then your medium-grain is like a Rice Krispie cereal, Rice Krispie treats."

Daniels says his favorite rice dishes include red beans and rice and chicken and rice.