09/01/2026
First Class Hospitality!
As I write this a tropical wave or storm is developing about 30 miles south of our old rice mill, out in the Gulf.
We are not expecting much in the way of wind but should get a good amount of rain, which is needed, as we have been unusually dry.
The sugar cane harvest will be starting in the next few weeks, so I hope the wind doesn't blow too much, as that will lay the cane down in the fields, making it harder for the farmers to harvest.
Sugar Cane harvest time is really something to see and experience.
The rural part of the local Parishes become beehives of activity.
Tractors will be running around everywhere, pulling cane carts to the sugar mills, combines will be working their way through the thousands of acres of sugar cane that dominates the local landscape.
As a motorist the harvest has become a little better. There are not as many cane carts on the road. More and more cane is being hauled to the Mills via 18 wheeler trucks, so there is much less mud and sugar cane debris on the roads.
What I've noticed is there are a lot less folks involved in the harvest than there were in my youth. Much of the harvest is done mechanically with much less hand work or intense labor needed.
Some folks see the harvest as a PIA, I see it as a much needed economic addition to our local economy. No matter your point of view, it is a sweet time of the year, pun intended.
Here at America's Oldest Operating Rice Mill we will be blending and packing a variety of seasoning and rice items this week.
Our production crew is not yet aware, but I am making up a working sample of a new product I am working on. This will be a taste test with no wrong answers. Our employees are the first to try our new product ideas and sometimes the last to try one. If they think it sucks it goes into the waste bin not to reappear.
For our Cuban and BBQ Pulled Pork sandwiches lovers, we will be making a fresh batch of sandwiches tomorrow, Wednesday, around noon out of our KONRIKO Co Store at 309 Ann St here in New Iberia, LA. Call ahead to reserve a sandwich, (337.364.7242).
Got a tour group coming today about 10:30 am and we are looking forward to greeting them.
If you are traveling around on this rainy day, stop in and pay us a visit. The coffee is fresh and hot and free as are our many KONRIKO brand samples we have prepared for you.
Hope to see you soon here at our historic old Rice Mill.
