From the Regional Manager

I-40 Corridor

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As winter settles in across the I-40 corridor, Riceland facilities are focused on preparation and planning ahead of the 2026 crop year. With harvest wrapped up and grain movement slowing, winter provides a critical window for elevator maintenance, capital improvements, and operational reviews to improve service and efficiency for our member-owners.

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Across the region, teams are performing preventative maintenance on dryers, conveyors, and handling systems while also reviewing storage strategies following a season that reflected shifting acreage and marketing patterns. Rice acres remained under pressure in parts of the corridor, while soybeans continued to play a larger role in overall volume, reinforcing the need for flexibility in handling and logistics.

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Winter is also a time to evaluate safety programs, train employees, and coordinate with growers ahead of spring planting. Open communication remains a priority as Riceland prepares for changing conditions in the coming year.

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Planning today helps ensure a smoother, more efficient harvest tomorrow

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Drew Widener

Regional Manager, I-40 Corridor

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NEA & SEMO

Hello from NEA and SEMO. The 2025 Harvest season is behind us, and even though it was a smaller crop, it did have its share of challenges. But all of our plants made it through without any major hiccups. It is always our goal to give you a very high level of service. We aim to get you dumped and back to the field as fast and safely as possible, while also taking great measures to maintain the quality of your rice and soybeans. 

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This time of year, we are busy working on capital projects, repair projects, and maintenance of all of our plants. We are cleaning and maintaining all equipment, much like all of you are doing out on your farms. We are also working to maintain the quality of your rice and soybeans until we ship them to the mill or crush plant. 

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I’d like to announce a few personnel changes made prior to the 2025 Harvest. David Burkheart is now the Corning Plant Manager. He will continue to oversee Knobel as well.

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James Ray was promoted to Foreman at the Knobel plant. He was previously in maintenance at Knobel. Chandler Curtis (not pictured) is our Foreman at Corning.

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Clay Prance is our Manager Trainee for the district. Each of these gentlemen has done a great 

job and is an asset to our team. We would like to congratulate them on their new positions and 

look forward to seeing what they bring to our team in the future

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I know this year has been a tough one for all of you. We appreciate all of you and are here to help in any way we can. We hope you have a very safe and successful planting season. And we hope to see you at our membership meetings in February and March. These meetings are very informative about what is going on in your cooperative. We look forward to seeing you there for good information, good food, and good fellowship.

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Jack Morris

Regional Manager, NEA/SEMO

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South Arkansas

As we prepare for the 2026 Harvest, we are excited to see all our faithful patrons again. As your new Regional Manager for the South, I plan to reach out and hear any concerns you may have. Together, we will find a solution to help us move forward.

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Our goal this year is to keep our members happy and do what we can to ensure a successful and productive harvest. I plan to focus on implementing a smooth process from beginning to end. Starting at the Sample house to the unloading of your crop. Our staff is well-trained and ready to assist you with any need. I know harvest can be unpredictable, but we are prepared for 

whatever it may bring.

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All in all, I would like to increase production and efficiency so that you, our patrons, will have a great season. The Riceland team is working hard every day to ensure you have a pleasant and memorable experience.

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Our aim is to ensure that our Riceland members receive the highest return as we help serve you to the best of our ability.

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Jesse Tosh

Regional Manager, South Arkansas

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North Central Arkansas

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I think we have all heard the phrase, “Every harvest is different.” I don’t think anyone would argue that statement applies to both you, our valued member, and us, your team at Riceland Foods.

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Well, that statement certainly was true again regarding the 2025 harvest. Anyone I’d talk to would, time and time again, remark, for multiple reasons, about how different a harvest it was. As different as it may have felt, one thing isn’t different, and that’s our commitment to you. It may have been a smaller crop, but we handled each bushel with the same sense of importance and urgency. Our approach did not change. The lines may have been shorter, but we still dumped them as quickly as we could and returned them to your fields. A smaller crop doesn’t mean we are any less committed to your operations and success. 

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I hope you saw that play out at our various sample offices and scales. I hope you saw the same friendly faces you have come to know and expect. At the end of the day, we are all in this together. Your success is most definitely our success.

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So, what now? Like you, just because harvest has concluded and the holidays are behind us, that doesn’t mean the work stops. Just like every year, we use this time to tidy up the facilities, we go through the seemingly endless equipment to ensure that it’s ready to go next year, we look back at what was good and bad about our harvest operations and what we can do to make it a better experience for you, we look at our safety practices to see what works and what doesn’t, we are constantly monitoring your grain, shipping it to various mill sites. The list goes on and on. Harvest may look different year to year, but our commitment to you doesn’t. It stays the same no matter what.

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As always, myself, the managers and bookkeepers of your North Central District are always a visit or phone call away, so please never hesitate to reach out if you need us, or just stop by to visit and catch up! I know I speak for all of us when I say, we always love it when you stop in. So hopefully we’ll see you soon!

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Rob Wilson

Regional Manager, North Central Arkansas

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Jonesboro

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As many of you know, last year I became the Regional Manager of the Jonesboro Grain Drier. I previously managed the Weiner location from 2021-2025 and have been with Riceland since 2012. Matt Verser was promoted to Plant Manager.

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At the Jonesboro Grain Drier, we are currently shipping the 2025 rice crop and continue to receive 2025 dry rice. Current year soybeans have been shipped from the Jonesboro facility for processing.

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We received the Green rice crop with minimal breakdowns due to the vigilant efforts of the grain drier crew.

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Maintenance and servicing of the equipment is an ongoing effort to prepare for efficient delivery of the 2026 crop. In the coming months, we hope for great weather to facilitate an excellent planting season as we prepare our facility for harvest. 

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Ruth Chaudron joined our main office team last year. She has been with the Hickory Ridge Riceland location since 2018. Olivia Bridgeman and Ruth stand ready to assist you with any needs during the 2026 season. As always, please feel free to contact Matt or myself with any questions or concerns.

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Jon Murray

Regional Manager, South Arkansas