A Legacy of Dedication – A Conversation with Darrell
We recently sat down with Mr. Darrell Bennett, a long-time employee and leader who has dedicated over 45 years to Farmers Rice Milling Company. Starting from humble beginnings, Darrell has grown alongside Farmers, taking on multiple roles and witnessing the company’s evolution. In this conversation, we want to honor Darrell and hear about his journey as he reflects on the challenges he’s faced and talks about his hopes for the future of Farmers Rice Milling Co.
Jelena Mitic: Darrell, you’ve been with Farmers for over four decades. Can you tell us how you got started here?
Darrell Bennett: I’m a country boy through and through—always had my hands in agriculture, so joining Farmers just felt right. I started on April 20, 1980, doing cleanup work. Just two months later, I was promoted to run operations at the biggest mill in Louisiana.
From there, I took on different roles over the years—spent 20 years running the mill, then moved into maintenance supervision and eventually became production manager. There were even times when I stepped in to run the entire plant during GM transitions. Reaching those milestones and taking on those responsibilities are things I’m proud of. I set goals for myself here, and I reached them all. Without goals, you’re just going through the motions. Farmers gave me the chance to learn everything about rice—from rough rice to milled rice—and really dig into each part of the process. I liked knowing how every piece of the operation worked.
JM: In your time working with FRM Co., how have you seen the company evolve in terms of technology and operations?
DB: As the decades passed, Farmers Rice Milling Co. grew from a local operation into a major player in the global rice industry. By expanding its facilities and adopting new technologies, the company was able to increase production and meet the rising demand for the best quality rice offered.
Over time, the company diversified its offerings focusing mainly on private labeling, bulk exports, and packaging servicing various global markets, like Haiti, Africa, DR, Mexico and many more.
Today, I’m excite to personally see the growth how we’re still able to process over 700 million pounds of rice annually, serving a wide range of clients from food service providers to industrial sectors, and feeding the world. This incredible scale of production is a testament to the company’s growth from a small mill to a large-scale, multi-faceted operation. It has been very rewarding to be a part of it all.
JM: What role do you think Farmers Rice plays in supporting the local farming community?
DB: Louisiana is one of the biggest agricultural states in the country, and rice is a big part of that. At Farmers, we’re committed to supporting our local farmers. We buy about 90% of our rice from Louisiana farmers first. When Louisiana runs out, we turn to our neighbors in Texas and Arkansas, but every bit of rice we buy is American-grown. We don’t source outside the U.S., and we’re proud of that. It’s all about backing American agriculture, Louisiana first.
JM: Over the years, you’ve seen some real challenges. Can you tell us about one of the toughest times at Farmers and how you overcame it?
DB: Hurricane Laura was one of the hardest hits we’ve ever taken. It completely devastated the mill. The roofs were completely torn off, the mill was in shambles, and we even lost silos. It was heartbreaking—looked like a bomb had gone off in Lake Charles. Not a single telephone pole was left standing. The mill was so damaged that we didn’t know if we’d be able to rebuild or if we’d have to start over completely. We had to lay off almost everyone while we figured out if we could recover. Millions of dollars were lost, not just in rice but in the building itself.
We barely started to get things back up and running when Hurricane Delta hit, just weeks later. It felt like a never-ending storm, but somehow, we survived it. We pushed through because that’s what we do here. It wasn’t just about the business; it was about keeping this place going for the community and for all the people who rely on Farmers. We’re still here, and we’re stronger for it.
JM: What do you hope to see for the future of Farmers Rice?
DB: We are the leaders in exporting rice around the world, but I’d love to see us make a name for ourselves in the domestic market. We’ve been behind the scenes, co-packing for other companies and big brands for years. But what I’d love to see is our own Farmers brand on store shelves, especially here in Louisiana. I want people here to know who we are, to see our name and know they’re supporting a local, family-run company that’s been around for generations. Right now, not many people know Farmers by name, but I’m hoping that changes soon.
JM: What would you say people should know about Farmers Rice Milling Co.?
DB: For anyone who’s thinking about working here, I’d say this: Farmers is a place where you can build a future. There’s a lot of opportunity to move around and move up, to become a leader if that’s what you want. The benefits and bonuses are solid—you can provide for your family here. It’s a good group of people, too. We’re like family, and your input is valued. That’s something you don’t find everywhere.
I’ve worked for some great people here, including one of the best bosses I’ve ever had. She cares about the people who work for her and does whatever it takes to make sure they’re taken care of and happy. It’s a place where, if you work hard, your family can have opportunities too. I’ve had three brothers, three nephews, and even my son work here. My dad was part of the team as well. It’s a place that keeps you close to home, and when you bring your family to work here, you know it’s because it’s a place you believe in.
Conclusion
From a small mill in Lake Charles to one of Louisiana’s largest rice mills today, Farmers Rice Milling Co. has come a long way. Through our dedication to quality, innovation, and community, the family owned company has grown while staying true to our core values. As we look to the future, Farmers Rice Milling Co. remains committed to building on our legacy and leading the rice industry with the same spirit, with people like Mr. Darrell, that has guided us for over a century.