2018
RICE AWARDS Horizon Ag, Rice Farming and USA Rice are proud to bring you the recipients of the 2018 Rice Awards. The program highlights three honorees for their contributions to the success of the U.S. rice industry through the Rice Farmer of the Year, the Rice Industry Award and the Rice Lifetime Achievement Award.
Melvin ‘Skip’ Hula Jr. RICE FARMER OF THE YEAR AWARD
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PHOTOS BY CARROLL SMITH
an 80-foot land leveler that farmers use to help row irrigate elvin “Skip” Hula Jr. is a fourth-generation rice more efficiently, especially on hillside ground. His latest invenproducer from Hazen, Arkansas. He vividly retion is a self-contained rice drainer that eliminates the physical members the excitement of riding in the truck labor involved in draining a rice field. Hula has also built his with his dad while taking the last load of grain own combine parts that extend the life of the machine six to to the dryer late in the evening during harvest. He fell in love seven times more than that of a factory combine. with growing rice as a youngster and knew farming was the Because the Hula-Sabbatini Farm is located within the life for which he was destined. Grand Prairie “critical water area,” Hula looks for ways to ir“When I was 14 years old, daddy gave me my first rice field rigate more efficiently. In a support letter submitted on Hula’s to water,” Hula says. “I quickly learned short cuts weren’t the behalf, Prairie County CEA-Staff best way to do things.” Chair Brent Griffin says, “Skip After graduating high school has used and continues to use U.S. and declining numerous academic Department of Agriculture/Corps and athletic college scholarships, of Engineers financial programs he joined the family operation in to construct on-farm surface wa1976, started farming some ground ter impoundments either through on his own in 1978, and bought EQIP or the White River Irrigaout his father in 1979. Today, Hula tion District. This has allowed for grows 1,500 acres of rice and 1,800 construction of several ‘pit’ ditchacres of soybeans in partnership es and above-ground reservoirs with his nephew, Joe Sabbatini, in to capture and re-capture water Prairie County, Arkansas. during the growing season. This year, at the suggestion of his “Once harvest is complete, Skip crop consultant, Virgil Moore, he and Joe repair existing rice levees planted PVL01 — the first Provisia to capture winter rains to provide Rice variety released by Horizon wildlife habitat for migrating ducks Ag — in a couple of fields where and geese. During the early spring, red rice had built up herbicide rethe remaining water is drained and sistance. The fields had been in rice pumped back into above-ground for multiple years because deer ate Melvin “Skip” Hula Jr. and his wife, Cathy, reside in reservoirs in preparation for spring the soybeans. Hazen, Arkansas. and summer irrigation.” “Provisia herbicide did a great Hula also designed a method for measuring gallons per job of controlling red rice and pigweed,” Hula says. “Having a minute for each hole size in collapsible poly tubing to match different herbicide mode of action will help keep rice farming the flow rate for row length. He created a cinching program sustainable.” to control water flow rates. Hula believes one of the keys to Many describe Hula as having the mind of an engineer farming success is innovative technology, such as auto-steer and the heart of a farmer. He constantly thinks outside of the and GPS that is installed on all of his equipment. He also uses box for new ways to make farming more efficient, not just for a sophisticated drone system that includes a DJI Inspire 1 to himself, but for the farming community as a whole. Hula has monitor his fields. He says the drone, which can fly up to 55 engineered and built several implements that he uses himself mph if necessary, saves a lot of time and physical manpower. and sells to other farmers. In 1980, he created Hula ManufacOn a personal note, Cole Plafcan, with AgHeritage Farm turing Inc. as a better way to produce them. Credit Services, describes Hula as a “man’s man, genuine and The first one he designed is called the Levee Hog because he kind. He is a good farmer and a man of high character, integwas tired of the levees washing out on the hillside farms where rity, family and faith.” he planted rice. The Levee Hog, which works in all types of In recognition of his innovative production practices, ensoil, is pulled behind a tractor and squeezes the levee together vironmental stewardship and commitment to the U.S. rice while pulling it. The next implement he created is known as the industry, it is a pleasure to name Melvin “Skip” Hula Jr. the Gate-A-Minute — a machine used to put in levee gates in dry 2018 Rice Farmer of the Year. and muddy ground without using a shovel. Hula also designed
Melvin ‘Skip’ Hula Jr. Hazen, Arkansas
• Hula-Sabbatini Farms grows 3,300 acres of rice and soybeans in Prairie County, Arkansas • Received the Century Farm designation in 2014 that acknowledges continuous family farm ownership in Arkansas for at least 100 years • Began Hula Manufacturing Inc. in 1980 • Strong supporter of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service • Participates in the Rice DD50 Program, Flag the Technology Program, UA soil testing lab, UA plant disease clinic, UA weed resistance monitoring, on-farm UA small plot research, and use of Extension publications MP44, MP144 and MP154 • Served on the DeValls Bluff School District Board of Education • Member of the Hazen First United Methodist Church where he has served as trustee chairman and currently serves on the Finance Committee • Married to wife, Cathy. Two daughters: Megan Hula and Christin Hula Bryant (husband, Tim). One granddaughter: Maggie Bryant
Earl J. Garber RICE INDUSTRY AWARD
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PHOTOS BY BRUCE SCHULTZ
arl Garber was raised on a family dairy farm in ciation of Conservation Districts beginning in 2013. The Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. His father, Walter Louisiana farmer and crop consultant says his interest in Garber, bought the property right after World War conservation was influenced by his father’s love of the land II and started his own operation. He and his wife, and serving as founding chairman of the Lafayette Soil and Eula Bodin Garber, instilled a lifelong sense of responsiWater Conservation District in the mid-1960s. bility and a strong work ethic in their five children from a “Conservation of land and water is something I was very young age. raised with, and my agronomy degree lends itself to that “My father would never interfere with our education, but same concept,” Garber says. in the afternoon after school, we all had to be there to milk Wayne Hensgens, Sanders district sales manager, says cows and work on the farm,” Garber says. Garber consistently strives for excellence in every task he In the mid-1970s, the family began to look for an opportakes on, and environmentally safe and profitable agricultunity to sell the dairy herd and establish a grain farm. They ture has always been his focus. decided to move to Acadia Parish where they grew their first “As a full-time farmer involved in food production, my soybean crop on the new farm in 1978. Garber joined his strategy was to come up with good management practices, father and brother in that build a system to impleoperation in 1979, with an ment them and make sure agronomy degree from the we were profitable in the University of Southwestern end,” Garber says. “I took Louisiana in Lafayette and that philosophy of environfive years as a soil scientist mentally safe and profitable and soil conservationist unagriculture with me when I der his belt. went out for 16 years to asOver the years, the famisist other farmers.” ly added rice and sweet poLouisiana rice farmtatoes to their crop lineup er David F. LaCour says and vertically integrated Garber has been his crop the operation by building consultant since 2002. a sweet potato marketing “One of the qualities I office and packing facility. most admire in Earl is his Earl Garber and his wife, Janis, reside in Basile, Louisiana. “When I left full-time keen awareness of the urfarming after 23 years to pursue other interests, we were gency a farmer faces when it comes to crop health and conmarketing 60 percent of the Louisiana sweet potato crop,” sistency,” LaCour says. “He has always shown concern with Garber says. how crops are progressing and, due to his farming backIn 2002, he dusted off his diploma, became a certified ground, really understands what it takes to be successful. crop adviser with the American Society of Agronomy and I have witnessed his dedication to this industry, as many went to work as a crop consultant and field service manof his days were spent working from sun up to sun down. ager for G&H Seed Co., which later became Sanders in “Earl attempts to help farmers discover and implement Crowley, Louisiana. In 2006, Garber completed the Louthe newest technology by bringing recently released prodisiana Crop Consultant Certification and still holds both ucts to the farm to conduct field trials. His dedication has designations today. helped so many farmers in our area grow more profitable “In looking back, the accomplishment I find most satiscrops and achieve a higher level of efficiency while also befying is shifting careers and developing myself as a support ing mindful of environmental concerns and sustainability. person to the agriculture industry,” he says. “I enjoyed being His recommendations are invariably made from the farmable to assist other farmers and growing my involvement er’s perspective, and I never doubt they are made with my with conservation and my community.” best interests at heart.” Garber has been a supervisor on the local Acadia Soil As a tribute to his dedication, perseverance and experiand Water Conservation District board for 38 years and ence, it is a privilege to name Earl Garber as the recipient served a two-year term as president of the National Assoof the 2018 Rice Industry Award.
Earl J. Garber Basile, Louisiana
• B.S., Agronomy, University of Southwestern Louisiana • Past president of the National Association of Conservation Districts • Supervisor of the Acadia Soil and Water Conservation District • Member of the American Society of Agronomy, Louisiana Farm Bureau, Right of Way Association, National Soil Health Institute and Bayou des Cannes-Nezpique Drainage District • Alternate board member of the Louisiana State Soil and Water Conservation Commission • Past member of the U.S. Environmental Agency’s Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Committee • Recipient of the Louisiana Association of Conservation District’s President’s Award and Guy Claire Award, the Louisiana Concurrent Resolution Recognition from the Louisiana State Senate, and The Fertilizer Institute’s 4R Nutrient Stewardship Advocate Award • Married to wife, Janis. Three children: Kirk Garber (wife, Karen), Ashley LeBlanc (husband, Alan) and Brandon Garber. Three grandchildren: Claire Guillory, Emma LeBlanc and Oran LeBlanc
Marvin Hare Jr. RICE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
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PHOTOS BY CARROLL SMITH
arvin Hare Jr., a third-generation farmer from “Helping to direct research that benefits Arkansas rice Newport, Arkansas, just completed his 52nd farmers has been one of the most satisfying experiences in crop. Th rough the years, he has worked tiremy career,” he says. “Another achievement that ranks high lessly to diversify, grow and improve his opon my list is serving as chairman of the USA Rice Founeration; serve the U.S. rice industry; and promote valuable dation, which works to fund research for all six rice-prorice research on both the local and national level. ducing states. Currently, the foundation’s corporate memToday, Hare farms 6,000 acres of mostly long-grain bers make voluntary contributions to support activities. rice, soybeans and corn with his daughter and son-inWe also are working to secure research grants and other law, Jennifer and Greg James. The family also continues private and public donations to supplement our revenue.” to grow, clean and export natto soybeans to Japan. Hare In a support letter submitted by several University of developed this specialty crop — which commands a preArkansas Division of Agriculture personnel on Hare’s mium price — in the early 1980s to help overcome the behalf, Drs. Mark Cochran, Rick Roeder and Rick Cartadversity of the farm crisis. All of the crops are dried and wright say Hare “recognizes the value of independent stored in on-farm grain evaluations of new bins. technologies and the Hare has always role of demonstration been a fi rm believer in plots to the decisions producing more grain that farmers make to with fewer inputs and adopt new practices protecting natural reand technologies. He sources. To conserve has been so active with water, he began fi lling our teams we often in the above-ground cathink of him as a renals that moved water search partner. across his farm in the “His visionary sup1970s. He then installed port of the University underground pipe and of Arkansas Division began precision levelof Agriculture variing his rice fields. Aletal development has though the farm located Marvin Hare Jr. and his wife, Lynne, reside in Newport, Arkansas. helped Arkansas rice between the White and farmers continually inCache River basins is not in a critical groundwater area, crease rice yields, which recent studies have shown resultHare built a 6-acre reservoir that holds 20 million gallons ed in more than $1 billion in additional rice farm gate of water and two tailwater recovery systems that service revenues between 1983 and 2016.” 1,095 acres of rice and soybeans. When asked to “look into his crystal ball,” Hare preAlways the visionary, Hare recognized the synergy dicts “the future of U.S. rice will be bright and exciting. among rice fields, duck habitat and the joy of family being For example, we are working to increase the domestogether during duck hunts. Th is motivated him to adopt tic market for rice, and researchers are developing betpractices on the farm to improve habitat conservation. ter varieties, finding more efficient ways to irrigate and His operation now includes annually flooding more than fine-tuning conservation practices. And the technology 1,800 acres to serve as rest and feeding areas for thouwe have today is mind-boggling.” sands of migratory birds on their trip to and from the CaWhile spending time with his family and tilling the nadian prairies. land they have owned for more than 100 years, this ArHare is a long-time advocate for the University of Arkansas producer, innovator, research advocate, businesskansas Division of Agriculture Research and Extension man and leader has garnered the respect of the entire U.S. and has been a member of the Arkansas Rice Research rice industry. and Promotion Board for the past 20 years. He also served It is an honor to name Marvin Hare Jr. as the recipient as board chairman in 2015. of the 2018 Rice Lifetime Achievement Award.
Marvin Hare Jr. Newport, Arkansas
• B.S., Agriculture, University of Arkansas • Started Hare Planting Co. Inc. in 1972. Farms about 6,000 acres of rice, soybeans and corn • Past chairman, USA Rice Foundation • Past chairman and member of the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board • Serves on the Arkansas Rice Farmers Board of Directors • Member, Arkansas Rice Council • 2017 Arkansas Conservationist of the Year • Cooperated with Ducks Unlimited in the Arkansas Rice Project in the 1990s • Married to wife, Lynne. Two children: Marvin “Trey” Hare III (wife, Candy) and Jennifer James (husband, Greg). Stepson: Lance Connor. Stepdaughter: Kathryn Connor. Grandchildren: Hannah Hare White (husband, Brandon), Christopher Hare and Dylan James.
Horizon Ag would like to recognize past Rice Awards recipients.
2018
RICE AWARDS
1992
Dennis Leonards
1993
Jacko Garrett Jr.
Rice Farmer of the Year: Gibb Steele Rice Industry Award: Chuck Wilson Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: John Denison
1994
2007
Nolen Canon
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orizon Ag is honored to partner with Rice Farming magazine on the 2018 Rice Awards and to welcome the industry to beautiful San Diego for the 2018 USA Rice Outlook Conference. As Andy Williams first sang many years ago, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” This time of year is wonderful largely because we are compelled to give. We have recently given thanks, and we now prepare to give gifts. Rice farming and the entire rice industry face challenges every year. This year, the fires in California and the weather extremes in the South have been part of the challenges we’ve encountered. Additionally, it is no secret that the overall farm economy is hurting while the nonfarm economy has experienced record highs. Next year will bring a new set of challenges. However, as is the case every year, the rice industry still moves forward. Here at the 2018 USA Rice Outlook Conference, we take advantage of the opportunity to give of ourselves to a great industry that is much larger than any sole individual. As an industry, we give of ourselves and our respective businesses to advance U.S. rice both here and abroad to secure the future for farmers today and for the generations that follow. With this year’s awards, we look forward to once again acknowledging individuals who have truly made a difference by their hard work, persistence and devotion. Those recognized for their outstanding achievements will receive: The Rice Industry Award, which honors the person who has proven to be innovative in his or her role in this industry. The Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes the person who has dedicated his or her life to the viability of the U.S. rice industry. The Rice Farmer of the Year Award, which is given to a farmer who has shown determination, innovation or dedication to growing the crop. The 2018 Rice Industry Award winners can stand proudly with the award winners who have gone before them and, on behalf of Horizon Ag, we sincerely congratulate each one. Finally, we appreciate the rice farmers who continue to allow Horizon Ag to be successful by trusting in and supporting our brand and our Clearfield® and Provisia® rice varieties. At the end of the day, Horizon Ag partners with farmers to ensure they have the tools, technology and support to be more profitable. Because when rice farmers succeed, our industry succeeds with them. Zig Ziglar said, “Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” Horizon Ag is grateful for our great industry and looks forward to continuing to partner to help our industry reach new heights. Tim Walker Horizon Ag General Manager
©2018 Horizon Ag, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
2006
1995
Duane Gaither
1996
Leroy & Chris Isbell
1997
Charles Berry John Denison Paul Haidusek Errol Lounsberry Charley Mathews Jr. Patrick Mullen Fred Tanner
1998
Tommy Andrus Don Bransford Larry Devillier Jr. Dennis Robison Gary Sebree Linda Zaunbrecher
1999
Ken Collins James “Jimmy” Hoppe Charles Parker Johnson Abbott Myers Lowell George “L.G.” Raun Jr. Martin Walt Jr.
2000
John B. Alter R. Ernest Girouard Jr. Bill Griffith Ken Minton Michael Rue J.D. “Des” Woods
2001
Rice Farmer of the Year: Clarence Berken Rice Industry Award: Dr. Joe Street Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Steve Linscombe
2008
Rice Farmer of the Year: Milton LaMalfa Rice Industry Award: John Cummings Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Martin Ahrent
2009
Rice Farmer of the Year: Curtis Berry Rice Industry Award: John E. Broussard Jr. Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Carl Wayne Brothers
2010
Rice Farmer of the Year: Greg, C.J. and Jeff Durand Rice Industry Award: Dr. Richard J. Norman Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Elaine T. Champagne
2011
Rice Farmer of the Year: Mark Wimpy Rice Industry Award: Dr. Rick Cartwright Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Jacko Garrett Jr.
2012
Rice Farmer of the Year: Jim Whitaker Rice Industry Award: Dr. Donald Groth Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Jim Erdman
2013
Rice Farmer of the Year: Larry and Candice Davis, Bolivar County, Miss. Rice Industry Award: Jack William Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: David LaCour
Rice Farmer of the Year: Joe Aguzzi Rice Industry Award: Dr. Eric Webster Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Elton Kennedy
2002
Rice Farmer of the Year: Tommy Ray Oliver Rice Industry Award: Howard Cormier, Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Leland L. Carle
Rice Farmer of the Year: Fred Zaunbrecher Rice Industry Award: Dr. Kent McKenzie Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Marvin Baden
2003
2015
2014
Rice Farmer of the Year: David Monroe Smith Jr. Rice Industry Award: Dr. Johnny Saichuk Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Lundberg Brothers
Rice Farmer of the Year: Jerry Hoskyn Rice Industry Award: Keith Fontenot Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Jimmy Hoppe
2004
Rice Farmer of the Year: Dane Hebert Rice Industry Award: Dr. M.O. “Mo” Way Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Joseph Musick
Rice Farmer of the Year: Richard Fontenot Rice Industry Award: Dr. Steve Linscombe Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Gary Sebree
2005
2017
Rice Farmer of the Year: John Greer Rice Industry Award: Charles “Eddie” Eskew Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Donald Bransford
2016
Rice Farmer of the Year: Christian Richard Rice Industry Award: Dr. Xueyan Sha Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Chuck Wilson