Crafting a global marketing strategy for U.S.-grown rice is a heavy lift. Hosts Michael Klein and first-time co-host Cameron Jacobs dive into international marketing with Corey Hayes and Liz Deets, co-founders of Get Back Here Dog, the full service agency working with USA Rice. They discuss creating a global digital playbook everyone can draw from no matter the market and how authenticity, strategy and a love of rice fuel their creative approach.

With special guests:

Liz Deets, Co-founder, Get Back Here Dog and Corey Hayes, Co-founder, Get Back Here Dog

Hosted by:

Michael Klein and Cameron Jacobs

Michael Klein was back in Crowley, Louisiana for the 88th International Rice Festival and has returned with interviews with the Chef De Riz, the Rice Farmer of the Year, the 87th and 88th International Rice Festival Queens, and guest judges and USA Rice members Kirk and Bridget Satterfield and Jim and Lesli Whitaker. Deborah Willenborg sits in the cohost chair with recollections of past festivals.

With special guests:

• Katherine Richard, 2025 Chef de Riz
• Eric Unkle, 2025 Rice Farmer of the Year
• Alana Abshire, 87th International Rice Festival Queen
• Ansley Dawson, 88th International Rice Festival Queen
• Kirk Satterfield, Mississippi Rice Farmer
• Bridget Satterfield
• Jim Whitaker, Arkansas Rice Farmer
• Lesli Whitaker

Hosted by:

Michael Klein and Deborah Willenborg

USA Rice's Chain Engagement Program brings U.S.-grown rice concepts and information to restaurant operators of all sizes. It also brings culinary and marketing teams to farms and mills to make deeper connections. In October 2025, USA Rice brought a team from the Salad Collective, operators of Mad Greens, Snappy Salads, and Tokyo Joe's, to California during harvest. Their schedule was packed, touring Farmers' Rice Cooperative, Christine Wylie's seed operation, and Charley Mathews Jr's dryer and farm, as well as seeing wildlife and water management up close. Michael was on the tour and sat down with Cameron Jacobs to talk about the concepts as well as tour participants.

With special guests:

Chef Jeff DiSanto, Director of Culinary, Salad Collective, Dawn Whittenburg, Director of Marketing, Tokyo Joe's, and Cameron Jacobs, VP of Domestic Promotion, USA Rice

Hosted by:

Michael Klein and Deborah Willenborg