Timeline
Over the years much has changed. We are proud of the progress we’ve made and the advances we’ve seen in rice farming and harvesting equipment, but we will never forget where it all started.
The History Of
Missouri Rice
1910's
George Begley Jr.
George Begley, Jr. first grew rice near Dudley, MO in Stoddard County in 1910.
1960's
Rice production increases
Missouri rice production began in earnest in the 1960s.
1980's
Research Farm Established
By the 1980s rice production increased from 80,000 to 100,000 acres.
On October 3, 1984, the articles of incorporation for the Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council (MRRMC) were filed and signed by Mr. Davis Minton (Dexter, MO), Mr. Larry Riley (Bernie, MO), and Mr. M.O. “Sonny” Martin (Bernie, MO).
The Missouri Rice Research Farm was established in the mid-1980’s with the acquisition of 30 acres plus ten leased acres.
1990's
US Rice Producers Association
In 1997, the MRRMC became one of the founding members of the US Rice Producers Association. The USRPA is the only national rice producers organization comprised of producers, elected by producers and representing producers in all six rice-producing states.