A look at the history of rice in Texas and the Texas Rice Council’s founding role in the US Rice Producers Association. The Texas Rice Council was one of the original associations to form the US Rice Producers Association in 1997.

Overview

The Texas Rice Council is made up of Texas rice farmers whose mission is to promote Texas rice in all its forms. Rice is grown in the eastern part of Texas, but because of urban development and increasing water costs, rice acreage has decreased significantly over the years.

History

1685 – After a storm at sea, a ship from Madagascar limped into Charleston harbor to receive repairs. As a way of offering thanks to the colonists, the ship’s captain, John Thurber, made a gift of a small quantity of “Golden Seed Rice” to a local planter Dr. Henry Woodward. Slaves from Sierra Leon and other countries on the western coast of Africa taught their American owners how to farm rice using the African methods. By 1695 production of rice had spread rapidly and by 1695 was being used to pay taxes and as rent payments to British proprietors. 

1863 – 1892 – The first major rice farmer in Texas was David French in Beaumont, but commercial production only developed when:

• The Southern Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1883 and was acquired by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1885.
• Cheap land became available on the coastal prairies.
• Modern rice mills were introduced.
• Improved mechanized equipment could be obtained.

1886 – Edgar Carruthers, Louis Bordages, and Dan Wingate produced the first large commercial crop on a 200-acre farm near Beaumont and shipped it by rail to New Orleans for milling. 

1891 – Joseph F. Broussard established the first rice irrigation and canal system in Beaumont 

1892 – Joseph F. Broussard added a rice mill in Beaumont

Resources

– Ag centers, FSA for the state
https://pathtotheplate.tamu.edu/youth/food/rice
https://today.tamu.edu/2021/12/17/enlarging-the-global-rice-supply/
– Crop Survey (tamu.edu)
– Texas Rice Council
– Texas Rice Producers
– Texas Rice Producers Legislative Group
– Texas Rice Research Foundation
– Texas Rice Improvement Association
– Texas Rice Industry Coalition for the Environment (R.I.C.E.)
– Texas Resources
– Texas Department of Agriculture
– Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
– Texas Agricultural Extension Service
– Texas A&M Rice Production Handbook
– Texas Legislature Online
– Texas House & Senate Committees, including Agriculture
– 2012 Texas Rice Production Guidelines

Elected Texas Rice Council Board Members

Members At-Large

• Tommy Turner
• Dennis DeLaughter