Monday, July 29, 2013

Wildlife Species in Focus

View eight colorful brochures that provide details on wildlife species that rely on California rice fields for their habitat.

AMERICAN BITTERN
AVOCET/BLACK-NECKED STILT
BALD EAGLE
BLACK TERN
LONG-BILLED CURLEW
GREAT EGRET/SNOWY EGRET
WHITE-FACED IBIS
NORTHERN PINTAIL

Visit our Wildlife page to learn more.

New Blog- Agriculture and Art

By Maddie Dunlap

Before attending a meeting at the Cal EPA building in Sacramento I had the opportunity to tour the building’s eight fabric collage displays.  On various floors of the 25-story building, framed art pieces made by Merle Serlin, depicting different scenes of the California landscape can be found.  Two members of Cal EPA staff escorted Roberta Firoved, CRC Industry Affairs manager, and myself through the tour. 

The first collage on the third floor depicts the see canyon in the Monterey bay area incorporating shades of deep blues, greens and purples.

The second exhibit on the fifth floor depicts the beautiful Central California coastline.

The third display on the eighth floor is an aerial of Delta farmland.  The patchwork of the fabric is really representative of the piecing together of the fields in this area tied together by water flowing through the center. 

The fourth piece on the twelfth floor is a close up shot of California’s renowned redwoods.  The details on this display are perhaps the most spectacular.  Several different fabric patterns are utilized to capture the texture and life of these grand and majestic trees.  

The fifth fabric collage hangs on the seventeenth floor.  This collage was one of my favorites – the rolling foothills of the Central Coast inland.  This area is very familiar to me as it surrounds the Cal Poly campus.

The sixth exhibit on the nineteenth floor shows the Joshua Tree National Park.

The seventh display on the twenty-first floor is of beautiful Lake Tahoe.  This fabric collage presented a particularly interesting point of view.  Instead of an aerial of the large lake, the artist chose to show a close up of some rocks on the edge of the lake.  Again, through various fabrics and careful hand stitching, it’s a work of art. 

The final and possibly most grand of the pieces hangs on the twenty-fifth floor.   This collage is of breathtaking Mt. Shasta.  Another of my favorites, this quilt (see right) looks the most like a painting or picture than any of the eight artworks.  

These fabric collages are truly spectacular.  The artist used various colors, patterns and textures of fabrics held together with intricate hand threading.  Up close one can see the careful detail that that adds to a work of art that looks more like a painting from a distance.  

The CRC office also has a quilt by this artist depicting Sacramento Valley rice fields. 
An unforeseen opportunity of my internship with CRC has been to experience local cultures of many of the cities and small towns of the Sacramento Valley.  It has been my pleasant surprise that agricultural lands have often been the subjects of many of these art displays.  Rice country, and agriculture in general truly can be seen in all aspects of Northern California communities. 


Maddie Dunlap is a senior agricultural communication student with a minor in agribusiness at California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo. 
She is the eighth generation of Dunlaps born and raised in Colusa County agriculture.  

When Maddie isn’t studying hard at Cal Poly, she enjoys traveling throughout California, Giants baseball and attending county fairs. 

Friday, July 26, 2013

New Blog- Tokyo trip yields results

By Chris Crutchfield

Recently I had the opportunity to travel to Tokyo as part of the USA Rice Federation's Asia Technical Working Group. The team is made up of growers, millers, and marketers of California Rice.  We work on both technical aspects and trade policy aspects of the trade with our current WTO partners in Asia -- Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

One of the most important and long-standing traditions of the group is the Annual Japan-US Rice Technical Meeting.  It takes place between the U.S. team and Japan's Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).  MAFF is the Japanese government entity that conducts all of the imports of rice into Japan from all origins, both through Minimum Access and Simultaneous Buy/Sell tenders.  MAFF controls the amount and types of rice that reaches the Japanese market as whole kernel (or table rice), as well as the amount that simply goes into the market for processing and/or for feed.  In addition to MAFF employees, the Japanese delegation also had representatives from the Japan Grain Importers Association (JGIA), the Wholesalers Association, and two Japanese rice millers. 


This meeting was the 16th Annual between our two groups.  Over that time period many positive things have been accomplished by accommodating concerns and addressing issues from both sides.  Some of the most important for the California Rice Industry have been discontinuing the importation of 100 percent broken rice through the MA tenders, thus allowing more paddy to be consumed in order to meet Japan's minimum import requirements and increasing the voluming and validity length of Pre-shipment Sample Testing for the SBS tenders allowing California premium short grain to compete on a more level playing field with Chinese short grain rice.  From the 2012 crop, these items, and others, were responsible for allowing more than 322,000 metric tons of California rice to be exported to Japan -- about 25 percent of the state's production!  Additionally, Japan imported more than 17,000 metric tons of California's main crop (Calrose) through the SBS tender system that allows it to be marketed as table rice in Japan.  Previously, the most Calrose imported through SBS in a crop year was 1,048 metric tons.

As relationships have grown, the Technical Meeting has taken on a much more positive tone over the last few years.  This year was no exception.  The importers, wholesalers, and millers all said that they are impressed with the ever-increasing quality of California Rice.  This is a testament to our entire industry as the Japanese are some of the most difficult customers to please in the world.  As our quality continues to improve, we will continue to move larger quantities of rice through the SBS system, and into the Japanese table rice market. This is very positive for our industry, because that rice is far more valuable and provides much better producer returns than the highly competitive MA tendering process.

There continues to be challenges as well, however.  The team was informed that soon MAFF would begin new testing on imported rice for micro toxins and heavy metals.  While we are not concerned about California Rice "passing" these tests, anytime new testing is introduced there are always increased costs and the possibility of false positives.  We must work together with MAFF to develop a cost effective and scientifically based methodology for these new tests.

Over the past decade and a half, the USA Rice Federation's Asia Technical Working Group has made great strides in improving the quality and value of the Japanese market to the California Rice Industry.  I believe this will continue as we move forward in our relationship with California's largest and most important customer.

Chris Crutchfield
President and CEO -- American Commodity Company

Chris Crutchfield is very proud to represent the third generation of his family to be involved in the rice industry. Currently Chris is involved in all aspects of California rice from production all the way to the grocery store shelf.

Shortly after graduating from the University of Missouri in 1996, Chris moved back to California and joined with his father Paul Crutchfield in the formation of a rough rice pool for direct marketing to Turkey. Chris was responsible for the day-to-day management of the pool. That partnership developed into the formation of American Commodity Company (ACC) in 2000, and Chris assumed all direct management responsibilities for ACC.

Prior to establishing himself in the California rice industry, Chris worked in the press offices of Governor Pete Wilson as his Assistant Press Secretary. He also briefly taught secondary education in the California public school system.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

New CRC Blog- Lunch on the road - Carne Asada Tacos at Roberta's

By Tim Johnson

The note at the top of the receipt says "Lunch on the Road" in blue ink. The purpose is to help our manager of finance allocate staff travel costs.  When you’re traveling around rice country though it means much, much more. In this case great Carne Asada tacos at a little roadside restaurant.



Roberta's is situated in a bright yellow building just off the I-5 freeway in Williams in the heart of Sacramento Valley rice country. Towns this far up the Valley are small. No multiple exits off the freeway just take the Williams exit and head west into town.

When you walk up the menu is posted on the sliding window. Replete with tacos, burritos and all the choices of meats - it's authentic.

I ordered three Carne Asada tacos and a Coke. A few minutes later my order was announced the window. Three street tacos, a roasted jalapeño with sliced radish and a Coke bottled in Mexico.

The meat was well seasoned and had the char that makes Asada memorable. The salsa verde was tart, the spice just right and the corn tortillas soft and earthy. While I don't often go for soda, the cold Coke was great.

My stop at Roberta's is one of the things that makes trips north of Sacramento so rewarding. Great agriculture, bright blue skies and fantastic food at yellow taco stands!


Tim Johnson, CRC President & CEO

Monday, July 22, 2013

New Blog- Maintaining our abundance

By Maddie Dunlap

Disney’s latest movie “Planes” features a main character that is none other than a crop duster!  The opening scene of the trailer features the animated plane flying over a field applying pesticides to the field below.  I first saw this commercial last Monday, fittingly enough. 

Last week I spent the bulk of my time learning about pesticides.   I started with CRC Industry Affairs Manager Roberta Firoved in the office getting a general background about the registration process for pesticides.  Tuesday and Wednesday we attended the Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) summer regulatory conference where I was able to hear about industry issues and updates regarding mostly pesticides. 


Nearly all farmers use pesticides as an additional tool to help produce safe and high quality foods.   Companies such as Bayer CropScience and Dow AgroSciences, also known as registrants, bring these pesticides to the farmers.  The pesticides become available to the farmers after the registrant companies develop the product and complete extensive scientific reviews to prove safety to the crop, the environment and the people who will be applying the product.

These studies are part of the registration process required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Pesticide Regulations (DPR), a department of Cal/EPA.  The products must first be registered with the EPA and then may be registered with DPR.  Among other materials, registration also requires an extensive label that lists appropriate application methods, crops suitable for the products, possible environmental impacts and many other instructions and information. 

All of these resources are used to ensure that the pesticide is the safest possible product.  With proper application the chemical helps the crop to reach high yields while still maintaining a healthy product for the consumer.  Rice growers utilize these chemicals through many methods including aerial application, or crop dusters. 

To some in the public, pesticides have had a negative connotation.  Disney’s newest movie brings up opportunity for pesticides and pesticide application to face scrutiny by members of the public with negative views.  This presents an interesting and hopefully productive opportunity for parties involved with pesticides and pesticide application to show the public that under appropriate application pesticides can be used as a tool to produce safe and abundant food.


Maddie Dunlap is a senior agricultural communication student with a minor in agribusiness at California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo. 
She is the eighth generation of Dunlaps born and raised in Colusa County agriculture.  

When Maddie isn’t studying hard at Cal Poly, she enjoys traveling throughout California, Giants baseball and attending county fairs. 

New Blog- Sacramento Valley Rice making good progress

Grower Charley Mathews Jr. of Marysville updates progress on this year's rice crop.



Fifth-generation farmer Charley Mathews is continuing a family a legacy that began in the 1850s. Their first rice fields were planted in the 1940s and are still going strong in Yuba County. Charley is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He and his wife Hilliary have two sons, Parker and Adam.

Monday, July 15, 2013

New Blog- #FarmBill

By Maddie Dunlap

As a member of Generation Y, social media is a part of my day-to-day operations.    My most used apps include Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to keep up with friends and family.  However, as an agricultural communications student and CRC intern, the tools in my social media toolbox begin to take on new utility.

The intended use of Twitter in particular has changed completely for many users.  For myself included, Twitter can now be used for a stream of real time news updates rather than the musings of a bored teenager.  Last week this came into play big time when the House was voting on their version of the Farm Bill.

Last Thursday I spent the first part of my day in the car with Tim Johnson, CRC President & CEO, on a tour of rice country to meet various rice farmers in the Sacramento Valley.  On the other side of the country, lawmakers were engaged in a heated debate about H.R. 2642, the House’s version of this year’s Farm Bill. With the use of Twitter, we were essentially able to be in two places at once.

We chose to follow @agripulse, one of many sources tweeting about the Farm Bill.   By refreshing my news feed every few seconds, Agri-Pulse’s reporter Sara Wyant provided her more than 7,000 followers with live updates of House proceedings.  As we were eating lunch, the Farm Bill passed and we knew instantaneously.


Tim was then able to send out this important news to CRC members through various channels. 

Following the initial news of the passage of the bill, direct quotes from representatives began streaming in along with details of the role call vote.

Live streaming news headlines means that interested parties won’t have to wait for the news reporters to get the story up on their website or for the paper to come out the next morning.  Twitter gives you the news as soon as it happens.  No longer is Twitter good only for following the every move of your favorite celebrity.


Maddie Dunlap is a senior agricultural communication student with a minor in agribusiness at California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo. 
She is the eighth generation of Dunlaps born and raised in Colusa County agriculture.  

When Maddie isn’t studying hard at Cal Poly, she enjoys traveling throughout California, Giants baseball and attending county fairs. 

Monday, July 8, 2013

New CRC Blog- A hand up, not a hand out

By Maddie Dunlap

One of the most inspiring experiences I have had so far has been with the Sacramento Food Bank. I accompanied Tim Johnson, CRC President and CEO, to the food bank’s office to discuss a possible partnership with California rice farmers and the Sacramento Food Bank.  Oak Park is fittingly home to both the office and distribution center for this unique food bank that has become more of a community center to the surrounding neighborhood.  Having never previously visited a food bank, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.  I was completely shocked. 


Unlike most food banks in the United States, the Sacramento Food Bank is not solely funded by government aid.  Instead, this food banks funds its $10.5 million annual budgets by private donations and grants.  An army of 5,200 volunteers helps run the day-to-day programs and feeds more than 21,000 people each month.  These programs include parenting classes, GED courses, after school programs, a community garden and mobile farmer’s market-style distribution centers that serve struggling community members healthy meal choices.   The mobile distribution sites also serve to give visitors information on eating and cooking healthy. 

The CRC has begun dialogue with this food bank to see if it would be feasible for rice growers to supply the food bank with rice.  As with all other farm partnerships, the food bank will look to buy the rice for a reduced cost.  Rice growers are looking to food donations as a way to give back to the communities they are a part of.  Barring some logistical challenges, the Sacramento Food Bank may be a promising fit.  Mirroring the efforts of California rice farmers, the Sacramento Food Bank has reached its success through creativity, ingenuity and hard work. In fact a recent story from the Associated Press provided more information on their work.   This food bank looks to empower its visitors with a hand up, not a hand out – quite a refreshing message. 


Maddie Dunlap is a senior agricultural communication student with a minor in agribusiness at California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo. 
She is the eighth generation of Dunlaps born and raised in Colusa County agriculture.  

When Maddie isn’t studying hard at Cal Poly, she enjoys traveling throughout California, Giants baseball and attending county fairs. 

Black Tern - A California Riceland Success Story

Black Terns may easily be overlooked because of their small size and very patchy distribution in rice country, but at close range their shiny black plumage and graceful, swallow-like flight are a delight to behold.

Download pdf to learn more.

New CRC Blog- Angry California Rice Birds 3.0

By Jim Morris

It’s fast becoming an annual tradition for wife Leslie and myself – heading to rice country on the Fourth of July to visit a firecracker group of birds.

Our journey to a rice farm in the Colusa area allowed us to observe and photograph birds that are about as cantankerous as you will find. Black Terns are extremely protective of their nests and this time of the year is when the next generation is being raised.

It took a bit of searching but we came across several pairs of terns who made it clear they weren’t happy to see us.


My video is a little shaky because frankly I was a little shaky as I was getting read the riot act.

Leslie fared better, taking about 800 photos and coming up with some real winners, like this one.


Black Terns are one of nearly 230 wildlife species that benefit from California rice fields.  In fact, research by Point Blue Conservation Science indicates that Sacramento Valley rice fields have provided a tremendous boost to their population. The number of nesting terns took a big hit with the loss of historic wetlands in the state. Rice fields have filled in nicely and the Black Tern population has rebounded well. 

One of the big benefits of the rice fields was impossible to miss – an abundance of food. There were dragonflies everywhere.  (One even hitched a ride on my steering wheel.) To a tern all of those insects flying around translates into an all-you-can-eat buffet!

It was gratifying to see the population of this swift and vocal bird has taken such a positive turn.


Jim Morris is Communications Manager for the California Rice Commission. Jim has worked in communications for more than 20 years. When he’s not on the job, he enjoys his family, faith, football, outrageous monster stories and running marathon

Thursday, July 4, 2013

New CRC Blog- A Taste Testing Adventure

By Julie Cader

One of the many enjoyable aspects of my career with California rice is the opportunity to blog and twitter California rice recipes and stories.  I’m able to experiment with different rice recipes and then task friends and family to be the taste testers. Most recently, I adapted a blue-ribbon appetizer recipe from Amy Tichy of Kelliher, Minnesota. Long-time friends, Russ, Mari and David were the first to try the Wild Rice Cheesy Spread appetizer served with a variety of Lundberg’s yummy rice chips.




WILD RICE CHEESY SPREAD

16 Appetizer Servings (Makes 2 Cups of Spread)

In a small bowl, blend the following seven ingredients until smooth:
  • 8 ounces of low fat cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup of Shredded 3-Cheese Blend (Parmesan, Asiago & Romano)
  • 2 tablespoons Italian Vinaigrette salad dressing
  • ¼ cup minced fresh basil leaves
  • ¼ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Stir in the following four ingredients:
  • 1 cup cooked Lundberg’s Gourmet Blend of Wild & Whole Grain Brown Rice
  • 1 green onion (bulb and green top) finely chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped Kalamata olives
  • ¼ cup chopped pimiento-stuffed olives
Transfer spread to a colorful serving bowl and garnish with fresh baby basil leaves and pimiento.  Cover spread with plastic wrap and refrigerate for two hours to allow flavors to blend. Serve with Lundberg’s Rice Chips.


Everyone truly seemed to enjoy the California rice appetizer and I’m hoping they’ll bring their unbiased appetite to our next taste-testing adventure! In fact, I think I’ll start right now on a special rice dessert recipe. Stay tuned!


Julie is Finance & Administration Manager for the California Rice Commission, and a big proponent of trying new recipes- especially if they feature California rice.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

New Blog- New Scout for Rice Insect Pests

By Roberta Firoved

The Pest Control Advisor (PCA) is essential in farm operations to scout (inspect fields for pest infestations) and write recommendations that allow applications of necessary crop protection materials. Unknowing to the PCA, there’s a new scout in the fields.  A new ally for the PCA is the White-faced Ibis - the prehistoric looking brown bird that in the right light can also have an iridescent green color.


Most rice pesticide applications cease by the end of June. In July, the pesticide applications can continue for spot treating releases (weeds not controlled by previous applications), disease control and armyworm infestation. The armyworm is not an annual pest and usually infests the fields later in the season.

The PCA is quick to utilize the White-faced Ibis as a tool for scouting armyworm infestations in rice fields. Recent increases in the White-faced Ibis populations have a dramatic affect on armyworm detections. The White-faced Ibis love to dine on armyworms fresh from the field, so all one needs to do is look across a rice field and observe a small flock of large, dark birds gathering for a feast.

Roberta Firoved, Manager of Industry Affairs. Roberta is a licensed PCA and manages pesticide regulatory issues for the California rice industry.

Monday, July 1, 2013

New CRC Blog- What does California Rice mean to you?

By Maddie Dunlap

To me the rice industry has always been defined by the view of emerald fields outside my bedroom window, an economic staple in my hometown and the source of a dozen mosquito bites on my legs.  Growing up in Maxwell, Colusa County, even at a young age you are immersed in all things rice.  The numerous fields surrounding my rural town became the backdrop for my childhood.  Growing up in Maxwell around rice farms as well as my experience on the cattle ranch my family ran gave me a true passion for agriculture. 

As I grow older and gain more experiences I see more facets of the agricultural industry and each commodity.  Over the last three years at Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo I have gained skills in both agricultural communications and agribusiness.  Now in a new chapter of my life, I look to further deepen my understanding of the rice industry as the California Rice Commission’s first intern.  Over the next eight weeks I will be shadowing different staff members from the CRC office.  This summer, it is my goal to observe and internalize a deeper understanding of the uniqueness that is California rice. 

Already in the first week, my eyes have been open to new features of the industry.  From capturing the essence of the Sacramento Valley rice farmer to snapping the perfect shot of a White-faced Ibis, the task of public education and outreach never ends.  This week my task has been to soak up the knowledge of one Mr. Jim Morris, Communications Manager at CRC. 

This week has put me back in touch with the elements of the rice industry that capture the affection of all who come into contact with this farming segment.  The vibrant colors of rice in the summer will immediately catch your attention.  The quirkiness of the wildlife, birds and waterfowl that have claimed these fields as their habitat will hold your focus.  The servant-like dedication of the tireless farmers will capture your admiration and steadfast support. 

I look forward to the balance of my summer internship and the experiences that will strengthen and reshape my own personal definition of California rice.  Furthermore, I look forward to sharing the experiences of a giddy college intern.


Maddie Dunlap is a senior agricultural communication student with a minor in agribusiness at California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo. 
She is the eighth generation of Dunlaps born and raised in Colusa County agriculture.  

When Maddie isn’t studying hard at Cal Poly, she enjoys traveling throughout California, Giants baseball and attending county fairs.