As this was my first trip to Washington DC as a member of the California Rice Commission delegation, I learned a lot from those members of our group who have been going each and every year. We discussed general agricultural issues such as job creation, trade issues, the estate tax and the regulatory climate.
We also spoke of the specific rice issues such as the habitat value that California rice lands provides to 7-10 million wintering waterfowl which is worth $1.5 billion if those temporary wetlands had to be replaced. We also mentioned how the rice lands in the Sacramento Valley provide 57 percent of the food that the winter waterfowl use while migrating down the Pacific Flyway each year. We appeal to many of them when discussing the wonderful cuisine we provide, reminding them that all the sushi eaten in the US is made with California rice.
It was gratifying to hear how well received this information was. In fact, Congressman Sam Farr was among those who were quite impressed with our rice farmer’s blog. Getting more people to read about the important story of our crop is very valuable.
It’s a long flight to the nation’s capitol, but as long as we can spend some time and convey our story to members of Congress, it is a trip well worth taking.
Nicole Montna Van Vleck is a third generation rice farmer who farms with her parents and sister in Sutter County. Nicole is Managing Partner of Montna Farms which grows, dries and stores super premium short grain rice. Montna Farms partners with many waterfowl organizations to protect and enhance waterfowl habitat primarily on its working rice lands.Nicole is a graduate of UCLA and The California Agricultural Leadership Program. Nicole and her husband Stan have two school-aged children.
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