Rice Festival to recognize Breaux as Junior Rice Farmer of the Year

The 79th International Rice Festival will recognize Tyler Joseph Breaux as the 2015 Junior Rice Farmer of the Year, according to Troy Perry, festival president.
Tyler is 17 years old and is the son of Jarrod Allen Breaux and Kim Sittig Breaux of Iota. He has two brothers: Ashton, 11, and Bryce, 6.
He is the grandson of J.D. “Bunskie” Sittig Jr. and Deborah “Yogi” Sittig of Eunice; and Carolyn Breaux and the late Raymond Breaux of Iota.
Tyler and his family live on the family farm in Iota. The farm consists of 2,300 acres of rice, soybeans, and crawfish.
Tyler is a senior at Iota High School and will graduate in May 2016. After graduation, Tyler’s plans are to continue farming.
He has been a member of Iota High FFA chapter for three years. Last year he received an award as one of the “Hardest Working Students.”
He was a member of Acadia Parish 4-H Shooting Sports for four years. Tyler was a member of the Iota High School football team until he was required to have scoliosis surgery, which now unfortunately prohibits him from playing sports.
He is a member of St. Joseph’s Church in Iota.
Growing up in a farming family helped Tyler learn the duties and responsibilities of a farmer from an early age. At 10, Tyler began operating the grain cart during harvest season and continues to do so today.
During harvest, Tyler teaches his younger brothers how to operate the cart in hopes of them following in his footsteps.
Some of his many responsibilities include spraying levees and ditches, maintaining equipment, precision leveling, bush hogging, land preparation, operating the grain drill and the grain cart.
Tyler’s hobbies include spending time with family and friends, hunting, fishing, skeet shooting and riding four-wheelers.
His agricultural roots and dedication to farming are evident in his passion for the industry. Tyler is a fourth-generation rice farmer on their family farm.
Tyler was chosen by Brian Maloid, Farm Loan Manager, USDA Farm Service Agency, and his staff from a group of young deserving men nominated by FFA/Ag teachers of Acadia Parish schools.
The International Rice Festival will honor Breaux at the Honoree Social and Queen’s Ball to be held Sept. 19 at the Rice Festival Building. This year’s festival is scheduled for Oct. 15-18.