Carl Brothers

Carl Brothers’ influence on the United States rice industry and other commodities was significant during his 53-year career at Riceland Foods, Inc., in Stuttgart.

He worked his way up from the night shift as an electric sorter operator without a college degree in 1965 to Riceland’s administrative offices, where he marketed Arkansas rice around the world. Riceland rose to the world’s largest rice miller and marketer during his tenure. Brothers retired from Riceland in 2018.

In 2009, Brothers was recognized with the USA Rice Federation Lifetime Achievement Award for major accomplishments benefiting the industry.

Arkansas leads America in rice production and Brothers contributed to the top ranking. The former senior vice president and chief operating officer’s leadership and expertise in the marketing loan programs for rice was instrumental in the 1985 farm bill, also known as the Food Security Act of 1985.

Brothers’ work during Ronald Reagan’s presidency created USDA marketing loans, allowing farmers and cooperatives to place rice into a government loan program and draw the initial loan value while marketing their crops. His work crafting the bill allowed farmers and co-ops, holding the loans, to repay at the lower of the loan value or the current world market price for rice.

The 1964 Little Rock Central graduate chaired the USA Rice Federation from 1996-1998 and Rice Miller’s Association in 1988 and 1997. He was also a member of the United States Department of Agriculture Policy Advisory and Agriculture Technical Advisory committees.