Letter to the Editor

Your view: Welcome Riceland

Thursday, September 5, 2002

It seems changes are a constant happening in all our lives.

It appears a major change is about to take place in New Madrid County at the Louis Dreyfus Rice Mill. The Louis Dreyfus Company has made great strides in changing the landscape of Southeast Missouri. I commend the foresight of the Louis Dreyfus Company along with farmers, other businesses and politicians who took the initiative to pursue a venture of this magnitude. These people accepted the challenge and after assessing the huge increase in rice acres in Southeast Missouri, it is obvious they have more than met the challenge. They have excelled.

Since change is inevitable, the time has come for Riceland Foods to have a go at pushing the rice industry in Southeast Missouri to the next level. We welcome Riceland Foods and stand ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future with them.

Thanks, Louis Dreyfus, for the years we have been able to work with your company and your employees, many of whom have become personal friends.

Welcome to New Madrid County, Riceland Foods.

Sincerely,

Gary Branum