The Raun Family has been farming rice for more than 80 years on the fertile plains of the Texas Gulf Coast near El Campo. Lowell Raun, Jr. is in the third generation of this rice farming family. His grandfather, George Raun, moved to Texas from Nebraska in 1913. George Raun raised his first rice crop in 1915. His three sons - Russell, Norris, and Lowell, Sr. - followed his lead and became rice producers. Today, the Raun brothers and many of their children and grandchildren continue the family tradition of growing rice on the same land in Wharton County.In 1989, Lowell, Jr. (L.G.) and his wife, Linda, were looking for a way to diversify their commercial farming operation. The idea to grow rice organically began after traveling to the Northwest and noticing the extensive use of organically grown products in restaurants and grocery stores. (Organically grown means to grow something without the use of commercial fertilizers or chemicals.) At the same time, a new aromatic rice was released by the Rice Research Station in Beaumont, Texas. It was an interesting variety called Jasmine 85. (When you cook Jasmine 85 rice ,it has a natural nutty aroma and flavor.) Lowell & Linda decided that organically producing and marketing Jasmine 85, under their own brand name, would be a unique way to diversify their operation.
Their Lowell Farms Organic Jasmine Rice is a new aromatic grain with a wonderful aroma and a nutty flavor. An added bonus is that the rice is certified 100% Organic by the Texas Department of Agriculture. They will be planting their 11th crop next spring and will harvest in September. If you ask L.G. about his Organic Jasmine Rice, he will proudly tell you We grow what we believe to be the finest rice in the world. Once you try our unique flavorful rice, you will never go back to ordinary!
