Stewart E. Jessup

Stewart E. Jessup, of Stuttgart is a lifelong grain farmer who directed Riceland Foods, Inc. during some of the cooperative’s strongest years of growth and development. From 1985-1993, Jessup served as chairman of Riceland’s board of directors until his retirement. He was first elected to the board in 1965 and was elected vice chairman in 1978. During his tenure, Jessup guided Riceland’s growth in sales and revenue to $700 million. He was instrumental in the group’s entry into the production of rice flour, rice bran and Rice ‘N Easy flavored rice mixes. Also under Jessup’s leadership, the board approved the consolidation of Riceland’s 22 affiliated grain driers in 1990-91, allowing the cooperative to lower drying charges and upgrade facilities, making their operations more efficient. He is past chairman of the U.S. Rice Producers’ legislative group, was a charter member of the National Bank for Cooperatives (CoBank)St. Louisregion, served on the Arkansas Water Code Study Commission, Farmers Home Administration state advisory board, and the Stuttgart Grain Drying Cooperative board and Arkansas County ASCS committee. Jessup was also a member of the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, is a former president of Arkansas County Farm Bureau and received the FFA State Farmer degree.