Texas rice production facts for kids

Grains of rice.

Rice production in Texas started a long time ago, back in 1853, in the southeastern part of the state. By 1903, Texas was growing more rice than almost any other state, second only to Louisiana. Together, these two states grew nearly all the rice in America! Even though other states now grow more rice, it's still a very important crop for Texas today and will be for many years to come.

How Rice Farming Started in Texas

The very first large rice farms in Texas began in 1853. A person named William Goyens was one of the first to grow a lot of rice. Later, by 1863, David French was growing so much rice that he's known as the first to run a big rice farm in Beaumont, Texas.

By the 1880s, growing rice to sell spread from Louisiana into southeast Texas. New ways to transport goods, like the Southern Pacific Railroad, really helped rice farming grow. It was easier to move rice to markets. Also, land was cheap, and new rice mills were built, which made it even better for farmers to grow rice.

Farmers also started using pumps and irrigation systems. This meant they could bring water from rivers, like the Colorado River, to their fields. This happened many years before the big lakes in Texas, like the Texas Highland Lakes, were even built!

Rice Farming in the 1900s

Postcard showing a rice farm near Houston, 1910

By 1903, Texas had about 234,000 acres of land growing rice. Only Louisiana grew more, with 376,000 acres. Together, these two states produced 99% of all the rice in the United States! Later, other states like Arkansas (starting in 1904) and California (starting in 1912) also began growing a lot of rice. Eventually, Arkansas and California became the biggest rice growers in the country.

Japanese Farmers Help Texas Rice Grow

The rice industry on the Texas Gulf Coast got a big boost in 1904 when special rice seeds were brought from Japan. The Southern Pacific Railroad and the Houston Chamber of Commerce invited Japanese farmers to Texas. These farmers were experts and helped local Texans learn how to grow rice better.

A man named Seito Saibara came with his family and about thirty other Japanese people. They helped manage rice production in Webster, near Houston. The Saibara family is often given credit for really starting the rice industry on the Texas Gulf Coast. In the first three years, the rice grown from Japanese seeds produced much more than the typical Texas seeds – about 34 barrels per acre compared to 18-20 barrels per acre!

Challenges and the Future of Texas Rice

Times became tough for Texas rice farmers during World War I and the Great Depression. Rice prices dropped a lot. Because of this, the government created a program called the Agricultural Adjustment Act. This program helped control how much rice was grown and what its price would be. These rules still affect the rice industry today.

Just like other states that grow rice, Texas rice farms depend on selling their rice to other countries. But with more people in America eating rice and new markets opening up overseas, the Texas rice market is expected to stay strong for a long time.

Images for kids

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  Grains of rice.

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  Postcard showing a rice farm near Houston, 1910