John Browning Alter

January 10, 1948 – August 8, 2022 

John B. Alter was one of those rice farmers who didn’t hesitate to speak his mind. He always spoke as if a thousand rice farmers were sitting over his shoulder and heard every word he had to say in a meeting. He was their guy, a one of a kind man, a real gentleman. He worked tirelessly for fair farm prices and equitable spending of the farmers’ check-off money. We are saddened by the news of the passing of John this week, ending his long battle with cancer. Growing up on the family rice farm that was founded in 1886, John lived a full life. His impressive and extensive accomplishments included his being named Rice Farmer of the Year in 2000. Appointments by Arkansas Governors Huckabee and Beebe to the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board reflected his talents whether in the field, in Little Rock, in Washington D.C., or in the international marketplace. He served tirelessly as a member of the board of directors of the US Rice Producers Association even while his health was declining. Our most sincere thoughts and prayers are with his family.