We will start with the good news that Mollie Landers Buckler (GMLC Class of 2020) has accepted the opportunity to serve as Coordinator for Delta Producer Relations for the US Rice Producers Association (USPRA). Representing rice producers in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas, the USRPA is the only national rice producers’ organization comprised by producers, elected by producers and representing producers in all six rice-producing states. In this role she will represent the interests of Mississippi Delta region farmers, primarily in Missouri and Arkansas, coordinate outreach activities and events, and strengthen relationships with state and local government officials. It will also allow Mollie and her husband to relocate a little closer to her family down in the bootheel.

Mollie’s first day with the USRPA will be June 7. That is where the bad news comes in. The headquarters for her new job in based out of Houston, Texas, so she will head there for orientation at the same time as the Kirksville session which she was planning to attend. As she said “I am sad to miss (especially since this is the ag-focused session!) but will hopefully be able to attend the other sessions in person”. Mollie has also agreed to help us reconnect with our alumnae from Southeast Missouri.

I’m sure all will join in wishing Mollie the best of luck in this transition and if you would like to stay connected until we see her for Session III in Kansas City in September, please update your files for her personal email mollie.landers@gmail.com.