4Sisters Rice: Doing the Rice Thing Right
By Michelle Pelletier Marshall, Women in Agribusiness Media (November 3, 2026)
The decision was easy for Meryl Kennedy Farr when, at the age of 21, she was presented with the opportunity, or some might say challenge, of starting up, leading, and developing Kennedy Rice Mill, LLC, at the behest of her father, Elton Kennedy, who began farming in 1964. As founder and CEO, she did all that and more, putting Kennedy Rice Mill and 4Sisters Rice on the map under the mission “to take a little grain and make a big difference in the world through our work.”
This women-owned, U.S. company produces sustainably grown natural and organic rice products in Mer Rouge, Louisiana. They work with local suppliers and family farmers who share their vision of growing select rice varieties with full traceability from farm to table.
The company’s mill is one of the few newly constructed rice mills in the United States in the last quarter-century. The business encompasses rice farming, drying, milling, grain storage, marketing, and land management. Sisters Chantel, Patchez, and Felicity work alongside Meryl in the business; Chantel as sustainability manager & co-founder; and Patchez and Felicity as co-founders.
WIA Today was delighted to honor Meryl for her achievements with a WIA Executive Leadership Award, presented at the 2026 Women in Agribusiness Summit (Sept. 22-24 in New Orleans), and have the support of 4Sisters Rice as coffee break sponsors of the Summit.
We got a few moments last month to chat with Meryl about this and her business.
WIA TODAY: How have resilience and perseverance guided you through your career?
MERYL: Agriculture has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, and early in my career, I felt like I needed to look and act a certain way to be taken seriously. Over time, I learned that respect is earned through hard work, persistence, and knowing your business. Building Kennedy Rice hasn't always been easy, but challenges are often where you grow the most. I've also been fortunate to work with incredible people who have supported me along the way, and I wouldn't be where I am today without them.
WIA TODAY: Tell us about your advocacy for American rice growers and your meeting with President Donald Trump.
MERYL: American rice growers are facing tremendous pressure from rising production costs and unfair foreign competition. I had the opportunity to speak directly with President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins about the need for fair trade policies that allow American rice to compete. One opportunity I've advocated for is expanding domestic production of jasmine rice, which has historically been dominated by imports. U.S. jasmine acreage has grown from approximately 28,000 to more than 67,000 acres, creating new opportunities for growers. There's still work to be done, but it's encouraging to see progress.
WIA TODAY: How have you and your sisters reinvented rice as a family staple?
MERYL: The idea for 4Sisters grew in part from something we kept seeing at Kennedy Rice: our partners and customers wanted to visit the farm, meet our family, and share our story. We realized that if they found our story worth telling, consumers might connect with it, too. I saw an opportunity to bring the Kennedy story directly to families through a rice brand of our own. We wanted to make a familiar pantry staple feel fresh and exciting, while showing where it comes from and the people behind it. It's been rewarding to share our family's roots in agriculture with a wider audience.
WIA TODAY: How have you dealt with the challenges of owning a business? How has being a woman helped or hindered the solutions?
MERYL: Agriculture is a challenging business regardless of who you are. Between unpredictable markets, rising costs, weather, and changing customer demands, you have to adapt and make difficult decisions. Being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry has presented challenges, particularly early in my career when I was working to establish credibility. But I've also found that bringing a different perspective can be an advantage. The best solutions come from surrounding yourself with knowledgeable people, listening to different viewpoints, and being willing to make tough decisions.
WIA TODAY: What improvements do you see are needed in agriculture?
MERYL: Across agriculture, we have to address the economic pressures facing American farmers, particularly rising production costs and unfair foreign competition. We need policies that give growers a fair opportunity to compete, along with continued investment in innovation and new markets. Ultimately, we want the next generation to see a future in American agriculture.
WIA TODAY: What’s next for Kennedy Rice and 4Sisters Rice?
MERYL: At Kennedy Rice, we're focused on growing our packaged rice business, expanding customer partnerships, and developing American-grown varieties that create more value for growers. At 4Sisters Rice, we're excited to expand our product offerings and find new ways to reach consumers.
WIA TODAY: What does receiving the Women in Agribusiness Executive Leadership Award mean to you, and how do you hope it inspires young women in agriculture?
MERYL: Receiving this award is an incredible honor, especially from an organization that does so much to recognize women in agriculture. When I started my career, there weren't many women in leadership positions in this industry, so this recognition is especially meaningful. I hope my experience encourages young women to pursue opportunities in agriculture, even if they don't come from a traditional farming background. There are so many different paths, from business and finance to international trade and technology. I hope more women see those opportunities and feel confident pursuing them.
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ABOUT MERYL KENNEDY FARR
Meryl Kennedy Farr is CEO of Kennedy Rice Mills LLC and founder of 4Sisters Rice, both of Mer Rouge, Louisiana. She oversaw the formation and development of the businesses in 2012 and 2019, respectively, for which the building blocks were her father’s rice farming business, started in 1964. Today, she and her three sisters direct all operations of the Kennedy family agribusiness, which includes rice farming, drying, milling and distribution, grain storage, grain marketing, land management, and real estate.
Kennedy Farr holds a degree in international affairs with a minor in Spanish from the University of Georgia, and holds seats on the Board of Directors for The Rice Foundation, USA Rice, USA Rice Council, USA Rice Executive Committee, and the Rice Millers Association, among many others. Kennedy Farr also is managing co-owner and CEO of Neighbors, LLC in West Monroe, Louisiana, a leading manufacturer of specialized cookie dough for fundraising, private label, and co-manufacturing partners.
