Business Manager
Brookshire Rice Sales & Marketing
“A farmer must always have more options to market their crop”
Growing up in the Mississippi Delta, I was surrounded by agriculture. My parents were in the cotton business, when cotton was king in the small Delta town of Shaw. Staying close to home, I chose to attend Delta State University where I received my BBA in Finance. Yes, I was a “Fighting Okra!” My dream was to be in real estate and business law which is where my focus was during college. Little did I know, life would take me to the Houston Texas area where there are miles of concrete and cars—a lot of cars!
As “harvest season” approached, I could feel it in my blood- I had to find a farm, and that is what I did. Driving west on I10 with a turn on to Hwy 90, I found a farm! The Ag Angels were singing. Little did I know, I had just found my home away from home.
2021 marks my 28th year as Business Manager and Rice Marketing Manager for Brookshire Drying Co., Inc. We dry, store and market rice for our local Katy/Brookshire rice growers as well as others. Brookshire Drying was founded in 1940 by 3 farmers needing a facility to dry and store their crop. During rice harvest, I may be doing financial statements, dumping trucks in the pit, or hanging elevator buckets on a broken belt. I enjoy knowing this business from top to bottom, inside out. When my team comes in to tell me we have a certain problem, I feel it most important that I have a full understanding and know exactly what they are talking about. There is no job too big or small for me to dive right in alongside my team.
In 2016, marketing rice became more challenging and I was forced to look for different alternatives to sell rice. Because of these challenges, I have been extremely active in opening the door to export market opportunities for all Texas rice growers. Today, my vision is to see every Texas rice farmer benefit by more opportunity in the rice market place. Having said this, supporting local rice mills will always remain an important piece of Texas rice marketing. We must establish a balance between export and local rice mills. The farmer needs both.
Looking in to the future, change is again on the horizon. We have gone through a very difficult time in our country’s history bringing to the forefront food security for the American family. I am grateful for the opportunity to share with each of you, my vision for what marketing will look like in the near future for my growers and how to better connect with consumers.
All that I do is with the help of a tremendous team at Brookshire Drying. God has truly blessed me with an amazing group of staff and farmers. I firmly believe I have the cream of the crop. Last but certainly not least, my husband Jim and my two beautiful children Mitch and Ashleigh, are the wind beneath my wings.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the RMTC!
