How Arkansas Rice is Changing School Meals: A Success Story with Leslee Tell
When I look out across our rice fields here in Northeast Arkansas, I don’t just see a crop, I see a massive economic engine and a multi-generational legacy. But here’s the truth: if you ask the average school kid where their lunch comes from, they’re going to tell you it comes from a delivery truck or grocery store.
The Arkansas Rice Industry is thankful for the vision that Governor Sarah Sanders and Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward had to expand the use of Arkansas grown rice in Arkansas schools. The idea has sparked an entire program that in just a few months has proven to be successful. A vision that sparks action like that is what the rice industry needs to survive and keep Arkansas as the leader in U.S. rice production.
Unless we say it tongue-in-cheek, I tend to avoid clichés like “farm to table” because it overlooks just how much hard work goes into running a real row-crop operation. But we do have a massive gap between the kids sitting in Arkansas classrooms and the fields surrounding their towns. If we want the next generation to understand this industry, we have to invite them to the table.
That’s why I was so excited to sit down with Leslee Tell for this episode. Leslee is a former classroom teacher who took her passion for education and channeled it into becoming a farm-to-school program coordinator right here in our home state. Let’s talk about it.
The Classroom Meets the Combine
Leslee’s background gives her a unique perspective. She knows how teachers tick, she knows how kids learn, and she figured out how to use local agriculture as the ultimate teaching tool. She’s been driving the development and implementation of the Arkansas Agriculture Department’s Arkansas Rice in Schools program, proving that food education isn't just a nice-to-have project; it's a game-changer for our community awareness.
We talked a lot about the reality of getting kids to try new foods, and Leslee dropped some serious wisdom on what happens when you actually let students get their hands dirty with culinary education:
"Kids love hands-on cooking experiences. Students take ownership and love the lessons."
When a child helps cook a meal using local rice, it clicks. They aren't just eating; they’re connecting the dots back to the farm families who grew it. The statistics Leslee shares about how many of the children loved the meal which included rice is mind blowing as well.
Why This Matters to the Local Economy
From an operational standpoint, this program hits every single checkmark for long-term sustainability. When school districts participate in programs like the Arkansas Plate Program and Arkansas Rice in Schools, they commit to local sourcing, and it creates a direct, reliable loop that impacts our local economy.
Every bushel of Arkansas-grown rice routed into a school cafeteria is a win for local farmers. It builds an ecosystem where community involvement directly boosts school programs, creates real awareness among teachers and parents, and ensures our agricultural heritage stays firmly rooted in the minds of the next generation.
We talked about the unexpected outcomes they’ve seen so far, the distinct challenges of implementing this in diverse school settings across the state, and what the big strategic goals look like for the upcoming school year.
At the end of the day, programs like Arkansas Rice in Schools aren't just about nutrition logistics or checking an educational box. They are about handshakes that connect our fields directly to the families down the road. If we want an industry that lasts, we have to build that trust early, one school lunch at a time.
Tune into the episode or connect with me here: https://bit.ly/m/JenniferJames