Bernie, Missouri - On Tuesday, July 26th, as part of his 4th Annual Farm Tour Congressman Jason Smith visited Martin Rice in Bernie to view the rice operations and speak with owners Tim, David and Mike Martin about their industry, how the rice mill operates, and the issues they are facing.

Smith commented, “Great companies like Martin Rice make it possible for Missouri to be one of the largest rice-growing states in America. And, after over 50 years of growing and processing rice, the hardworking folks at Martin Rice continue to push themselves to provide the highest quality product. Companies like Martin Rice are exactly why Missouri's 8th District is recognized throughout our state and the nation as being a leader in agriculture and I am very proud of the work they do to showcase our region.”  

The Martin Rice Company is owned and operated by the Martin family who have been in the farming business in the Missouri bootheel for over 50 years. Martin Rice Company today produces Long Grain and Jasmine rice on over 7,000 acres of farmland in Southeast Missouri. Martin Rice Company is shipped worldwide and is one of only a few U.S. companies to grow jasmine rice, which is normally imported from Thailand.

This year’s Congressional Farm Tour will span roughly two weeks and cover nearly 3,000 miles while crisscrossing all 30 counties in Missouri’s 8th District. In addition to hearing directly from the families and farmers about the operations they are running right here in southeast and south central Missouri, the farm tour will also highlight the diversity, importance and prominence of agriculture in Missouri’s 8th Congressional District.