Letter from the desk of Don Kuiken

2007 Wild Rice Harvest

Hello everyone,

By now all wild rice growers have completed harvesting the 2007 crop and the wild rice processors are near completion of processing what was received during harvest time.

Preliminary numbers indicated CA growers produced approximately 16,000,000 finished pounds on approximately 21,189 acres with an average yield of 755 finished pounds per acre.

Minnesota growers produced approximately 7,500,000 finished pounds on an estimated 16,000 acres with an average yield of 469 finished pounds per acre.

Preliminary reports from Canada are saddening for the fourth consecutive year with an estimated 600,000 finished pounds produced in the entire country.

I do not have number from Australia or Hungary to report at this time. I hope to have this information when we meet in February at our Annual IWRA Convention.

Based on the aforementioned information we have approximately 24 million finished pounds of wild rice produced from the 2007 crop. If you refer back to the newsletter sent in September of 2006 a prophetic estimate of 25 million finished pounds were projected.

In the same newsletter it was suggested the World Market requirement for wild rice was 20-22 million finished pounds based on prior years sales statistics.

Although we produced 24 million pounds from the 2007 crop there is evidence the World Market has increased somewhere beyond the 24 million finished pounds record number.

After reviewing production numbers and World Market estimated requirements I doubt any of us can give an accurate estimate of current World consumption of Wild Rice. In this article I have included sales statistics of Wild Rice in the International Market indicating a 30% growth in Wild Rice consumption abroad over the past couple of years. WOW

In the past I have heard estimates that our industry is growing by 5% per year. If the market was consuming 15,700,000 in 2005 and we are consuming 24,000 pounds in 2008. You do the math.

Supply and demand is the theme for our IWRA convention in February. I look forward to seeing each of you there to share the opportunity to;

1. shape the future of our industry

2. meet new producers, and marketers of wild rice

3. discuss industry affairs such as;

A. current acreage and inventory

B. future production outlook

C. new products and uses

D. crop insurance

E. price trends

F. variety development

G. farm bill

H. international markets

I. domestic promotion programs

J. Native Americans objection to wild rice research in Minnesota

K. GMO legislation in Minnesota

L. get to know industry members in a comfortable atmosphere

There is a saying that has been around a long time that goes something like this;

YOU CAN ONLY TAKE OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN

For those of you who say you do not get enough from the IWRA convention to make it a worthwhile trip you could try putting more into it and see what happens in today’s world.

However, to accomplish this you may need to stop living in the past and be thankful we have what we have in the present. Together we can mold the future of our industry.

Hope to see you on the Cruise Ship.

Don Kuiken

Letter from Fred Klose

Don:

I am troubled by the proposal to hold the IWRA convention every other year, rather than its current form of every year.

At this time, the IWRA convention is the only platform where the entire wild rice industry can assemble. Yes, it is a divided industry in many ways—but that is all the more reason to have such a venue as the IWRA convention. The roller coaster ride of production and prices over the past few years should prove to any wild rice grower, processor or buyer that this industry—as a whole—needs to work together to ensure more stable supplies and markets.

The face of agriculture is changing rapidly—both on the domestic front as well as globally. We face increasing regulations and government oversight at the Federal level, while at the same time, increasing competition from cheap foreign producers. Small or divided agricultural industries face much greater exposure to elimination as a result of these forces. I am reminded of two California industries—the garlic and kiwifruit industries—which are all but non-existent today—victims of a combination of government policies and foreign competition.

Rather than relegate the IWRA organization into a position of irrelevancy—which I believe will be the eventual result of meeting only once every two years—the organization should be working to strengthen its importance to the industry. I believe that the IWRA could become a very important vehicle for identifying and helping to solve “cross border” issues (those that affect us all, regardless of geographic location). Of course, such a transition for what I consider more of a “social” organization would require some elbow-grease by the IWRA Board, and the industry as a whole. But if the outcome were a stronger, more unified industry that can meet the challenges that are surely coming—what other choice is there?

Regards,

Fred Klose

Manager

California Wild Rice Advisory Board

Cruzin’ With IWRA

February 2008

The 2008 IWRA convention will be held February 7th—11th aboard the Carnival Cruise ship Imagination. The four day Western Caribbean cruise will be departing out of Miami.

A Carnival Cruise Vacation will far exceed your expectations with 8 meals a day, Award winning stage shows, 24 hour room service and constant pampering! Your dollar at Carnival will go a long way!

*Category 4A Riviera Interior Cabins

$299.00 per person for the first and second guest in each cabin

$199.00 per person for the third and fourth guest in each cabin

*Category 6A Riviera Ocean View Cabins

$329.00 per person for the first and second guest in each cabin

$209.00 per person for the third and fourth guest in each cabin

*Category 11 Junior Suite with Private Balcony

$699.00 per person for the first and second guest in each cabin

$229.00 per person for the third guest in each cabin

Above rates are also inclusive of processing charges.

All guests will pay an additional charge of $45.46 per person for government taxes. A supplemental fuel charge is also in effect at $5.00 per day per person.

To make your reservation, please call 1-866-721-3225. Give them the group name: IWRA GROUP and Booking Number: 7T17T5 by November 11, 2007. They require a $150.00 deposit per person, with the remainder payable by December 8, 2007.

You also need to email the International at iwra@brainerd.net, so we can keep track of participants.

Tentative Schedule

2/7/2008 Depart Miami 4 PM

2/7/2008 Board Meeting 7 PM

2/8/2008 Arrive Key West, Florida 7:30 AM

Enjoy Excursions Available

2/8/2008 Depart Key West, Florida 2 PM

2/8/2008 IWRA Meetings 3 PM – 5 PM

2/9/2008 IWRA Meetings 9 AM – 12PM

2/9/2008 Arrive Cozumel, Mexico 1 PM

Enjoy Excursions Available

2/9/2008 Depart Cozumel, Mexico 10 PM

2/10/2008 Fun Day At Sea

IWRA Meetings (Times to be set at a later date.)

2/10/2008 Farewell Dinner 6 PM

2/11/2008 Arrive Miami, Florida 8 AM

You can still call and make your reservation up until December 8th, but we cannot guarantee availability.

Do not procrastinate any longer. Call NOW!

Excursions available at Key West, Florida

Learn all about the storied past of Key West on this leisurely walking tour to the Hemingway House.

On this excursion you will:

· Begin -- at the pier -- on a 1½-mile journey of discovery through historic Old Town.

· See and hear about the Truman Little White House, Bahamas Village, Queen Julia, The Straw Market, original cemetery, Key West Lighthouse, naval history, pirates, wrecking, sponging, cigar and shrimp industries, and much more.

· Enjoy an interior guided tour of Ernest Hemingway’s home and see the famous Hemingway Cats.

Note: Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Guests should be able to walk 1½ miles on level ground at a normal pace.

The second floor of the Hemingway House is not wheelchair accessible; wheelchair guests are provided a video to watch pertaining to the second floor tour.

Cost: Under $50.00 person Duration 2.5 hours

Excursions available at Cozumel, Mexico

Tour Cozumel, the largest island in the Mexican Caribbean, and experience its culture, history, scenic beauty and wonderful shopping.

On this excursion you will:

· Learn Cozumel is the largest island in the Mexican Caribbean and is anxiously awaiting the opportunity to show off her culture, history, and scenic beauty, as well as inviting you along for a little shopping!

· See that once a sleepy little island, Cozumel is now the most important cruise ship destination in Mexico and you will have the opportunity to see the whole island.

· Enjoy your guide’s informative narration as you pass the southern resort area, arriving at Cedral, the oldest settlement in Cozumel.

· Discover that Cedral features the island’s first church as well as a small, but significant ancient Mayan ruin.

· Your guide will explain the history of the island as you travel east. Arriving at Punta Sur, you will have a great photo opportunity looking out over the unusual limestone rock formations.

· Continue on to a typical Mexican church and drive past some residential areas before arriving downtown where you will be able to visit the Cozumel Museum.

· Here, you can also take advantage of Cozumel’s recommended shopping program with some free time to visit the stores.

Note: Buses will return to the ship from downtown at a designated time. Guests, who wish to stay downtown longer, will return to the ship at their own expense.

Cost: Under $50.00 person Duration 4 hours

OR Be a part of the most famous party cruise in all of Mexico, the triple-decker “Fiesta”, where live music and tropical punch flow freely. On this fun-filled excursion you will:

· Be taken to Playa Mia, Cozumel’s popular beach club.

· Enjoy lying by the pool, a beach volleyball game, non-motorized water-sport equipment or just spending the afternoon on the beach.

Really have fun once the Fiesta starts back to the pier with the music, open bar and the party of a lifetime.

Minimum age is 16 years old to participate.

Cost: Under $50.00 person Duration 4.5 hours

OR Take a voyage through Mexico and experience diverse history colorfully displayed in costume, music and dance. Have the time to shop and you'll become acquainted with Mexican culture and personality.

On this fascinating excursion you will:

· Mix this with local Mexican shopping and you have a wonderful opportunity to become acquainted with the Mexican culture as well as the colorful personality of this beautiful country.

· Be transported via taxi to a meeting place downtown where your shopping experience begins.

· Afterwards, experience Mexican culture in an hour-long colorful folkloric show. The performance will transport you through time and introduce you to dances from various regions in Mexico.

· Experience from tribal drums to Mariachi bands, leopard skins to elaborately ribboned dresses, this musical extravaganza is sure to excite your senses.

· Following the show, you will have the opportunity for additional shopping and returning to the ship at various departure times.

Note: This excursion is not available on all itineraries.

Guests restricted to wheelchairs are advised there is no elevator at the Forum Shops, only an escalator. Taxis are wheelchair accessible, but advance notice is required through the Shore Excursion Desk. There is a ramp for access to the main floor and a ramp to the theatre seats, restrooms are not wheelchair accessible.

Remember to bring your camera and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Cost: Under $50.00 person Duration 2.5 hours

Excursions available on your return to Miami, Florida

Take an excursion of one of the most unique and exciting places in the world, South Beach and its historic Art-Deco District.

On this excursion you will:

· Enjoy an exciting guided bus tour of Miami Beach’s world-renowned South Beach / Art-Deco area.

· See the homes of the rich & famous that reside in Miami.

· See fast cars, glamorous people, sizzling beaches and live entertainment.

· Have the opportunity to adventure out into South Beach after the guided excursion.

· Step upon the # 1 urban beach in the United States, rated in the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world.

· Stroll down famous Ocean Drive and see the famous Versace mansion.

· Have a wonderful lunch in one of the many outdoor cafes or restaurants in the area.

· Shop on Collins Avenue where many unique designer shops are located.

Note: This excursion is suitable for guests with flights after 2:30 p.m. from Miami International Airport.

Infants policy in regards to airport transfers is as follows; ages 0-2 do not need tickets purchased, children 3 and older will need to have a ticket. Cost: Under $50.00 per person Duration 3 hours