Organic Rice Growing Market, Challenges, and Opportunities

Do you have an area of your farm that tends to be too wet for vegetables, fruit, or grain? Join Michael Schläppi, Professor of Biological Sciences at Marquette University and Farmer/Operator of Red Stone Rice LLC, who has been growing and experimenting with cold tolerant rice (Oryza sativa) at Fondy Farm for over 10 years. With the help of Fondy Farm manager Stephen Petro and Hmong growers who produce vegetables at Fondy and used to grow rice in Laos, Farmer Michael is now producing a marketable rice crop. From seed to transplant to harvest and post-harvest handling, Michael will describe the ins and outs of a rice growing system that has been adapted to the climate of Southeastern Wisconsin. Both mechanical and hand-scale techniques will be discussed, in addition to machinery used from beginning to end.

Tim Hemminger of Ancient Brands Milling will discuss markets for organic rice, along with the challenges and opportunities for this crop. Tim will talk about the opportunities for midwest farmers to be growing organic brown rice, and talk about the continued growth in value-added requests he has seen. The growth in retail space for organic brown rice has put pressure on Southern farmers, where most of the production pressure falls on Texas and Louisiana. Present supply chain challenges and exciting growth, especially with puffed rice and abundant consumer demand, present potential for rice as a value-added product in the Midwest.

Michael Schläppi is a Professor of Biological Sciences at Marquette University. Michael is also the Farmer and Operator of Red Stone Rice LLC, where he has been growing and experimenting with cold tolerant rice (Oryza sativa) at Fondy Farm for over 10 years.

Tim Hemminger of Ancient Brands Milling has worked in the supply chain arena for 16 years. As the Vice President of Supply Chain and a founding member of Ancient Brands Milling, Tim has identified and contracted a supply chain of raw materials by qualified growers around the world. In addition to supply chain functions, he helps oversee company-related operations involving planning and execution of strategic goals, business process analysis, improvement, and operational management of the organization.