By Everett Willey
Everett is a fourth-generation rice grower from Nicholas, California, in the Sacramento Valley. He owns and operates Proper Farms, and is an alternate on the California Rice Commission board.
CALIFORNIA RICE COUNTRY – When most people think of California, agriculture isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Farming oysters in Tomales Bay, wine grapes in Napa Valley, or rice in the Sacramento Valley, most people do not realize that California agriculture is a 50-something billion-dollar industry. My class and I had the chance to see these processes firsthand, and it’s a fascinating mix of tradition, innovation, and hard work, especially when it comes to the California rice industry.
One of the first things that my classmates asked, which apparently is a very common question according to Program Director Dr. Steve Linscombe, is, why do California rice growers use tandem pup trailers instead of single hopper-bottom trailers? To my knowledge, this is a mix of tradition and regulation. Many of the dryers were designed around the smaller trailers, and we are always trying to stay around that 80k weight limit. It is such a simple question, but a great way to show the class how California is just a little different, setting up what I believe was the theme of the week.
California grows some of the most productive rice in the country, and the Sacramento Valley is right at the heart of it. Visiting different growers, taking a flight over the valley, and touring different irrigation districts, we can see how water management plays such a crucial role — it’s not just about keeping the crops alive, it’s about timing, efficiency, and sustainability. The amount of time and money that has gone into infrastructure to provide water to both southern California and salmon survivability is astounding. Don Bransford gave a great tour and history lesson of the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District. He talked about updates to and reasons for fish screens and river restoration projects, which help ensure the continued water allocations provided to both farmers and wildlife refuge systems.
Beyond the fields, there’s a vibrant community of people working in processing, storage, and distribution. Talking with them, I realized how much expertise and attention to detail are required at every step and decision. At Sun Valley Rice Company, we had the opportunity to taste the differences produced by their various milling methods. Then, at American Commodity Company, we discussed their biomass power production facility, which takes a waste product from rice milling and turns it into energy. Finally, at Farmers’ Rice Cooperative, we explored the marketing of both domestic and exported rice, as well as some potential future opportunities.
Looking at it all together, I feel a sense of admiration for the industry here. It’s a delicate balance of tradition and foresight, of human effort and natural resources. The California Rice Commission (CRC) serves as a unified voice for both growers and millers, keeping current and upcoming problems for the rice industry in a manageable or beneficial position. They tackle tasks ranging from pesticide regulation to wildlife habitat to public education, helping to ensure California rice thrives into the future. I feel honored to be involved with CRC to continue to better the future of rice farming in my home state.
Now that my class has visited all the major rice-growing states, we each have a mutual understanding of our differences and similarities; thankfully, there are more of the latter. The Leadership Program has the unique ability to bring people together from the various states, facilitating friendships that will serve the national rice industry for years to come. I am extremely grateful and privileged to have been selected for this program and would like to thank the program’s sponsors: American Commodity Company, John Deere Company, RiceTec, and Supreme Rice.