My southeast corner of Texas produces 5% of the U.S. Rice crop. The drought of 2010 and 2011 left many farmers resorting to other
crops that are less dependent on irrigation. But 2012 has had good rains and this local farmer has decided to chance a planting.
Let's keep our fingers crossed.

If you would like to read a story about the effect of the drought on Texas family rice growers, here is a good article.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/21/texas-rice-farms_n_1290032.html