New CRC Blog- The Fourth R

By Jim Morris

My son RJ loves third grade and likes to share his daily activities at Arnold Adreani Elementary School in Sacramento. A topic that caught my attention was their “Harvest of the Month Program,” where students learn in-depth about a particular type of food.  A lesson plan including agriculture is such a worthwhile endeavor: the more kids know about their food, the better decisions they will make and the better chance they have at a healthier lifestyle. My only challenge with the program was the omission of rice, an important and very local crop.

Fortunately, RJ’s teacher Mrs. Jerome allowed me to visit with the kids to provide a brief lesson plan about California Rice.  We talked about some simple but valuable facts:

• Rice has sustained much of our population for thousands of years
• California plays a big role in rice production, with the majority of it grown in the Sacramento Valley
• California farmers grow virtually all of the sushi rice in the U.S.
• California rice fields provided habitat for nearly 230 wildlife species including millions of birds that migrate along the Pacific Flyway

The kids viewed rice seed, dried rice still on the panicles, red rice, black rice and even came face to face with a wooden carved Long-billed Curlew, one of the signature birds of rice country.  Here’s a photo of this magnificent bird, held by my son, with Mrs. Jerome and myself.

I was amazed and impressed with all of their questions, which ranged from wanting to know more about how it’s grown to the different varieties of rice grown and what habitat the birds need.

RJ offered his insight, commenting on his two harvester rides and magnifying a grain of rough rice (still in its husk) on the overhead projector that really wowed the class. This simple act allowed them an up-close look at a grain that may be simple in appearance but one with global significance.

As the kids chomped on Rice Krispies Treats to close the afternoon, I felt encouraged and reminded that we shouldn’t underestimate the curiosity of children and their desire to learn. I challenged the kids to ask their parents if they knew where their food comes from. Hopefully these small steps will help us all better appreciate our next meal.

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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 marathons.