Meet Our Farmers

Michael Blanchard Jr.

Charles Michael Blanchard Jr. is a second-generation Jefferson County farmer. Michael is a 2006 graduate of Hardin Jefferson High School and attended Lamar University, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering in 2011. Michael began farming organic rice in 2008 and has continued to grow primarily organic rice. Michael and Bailey, his wife of 5 years, reside in Beaumont, Texas with their daughter Blythe. Michael is the 2018 Winnie, Texas, Rice Festival Young Farmer of the Year. Michael is also a part of several rice improvement organizations. He serves on the county committee at the Jefferson County FSA and he is on the board of TRIA (Texas Rice Improvement Association), TRLG (Texas Rice Legislative Group) and the Texas Rice Producers Board.