Blog post by Tom Butler- Final Push

It's a bit odd to sit in my living room tonight and watch the rain pelt against my windows, and my dog refuse to go outside because it's just too cold on May 16, but evidently, the rainy season isn't quite done with us yet. The weather put a damper on our afternoon today, and the way it's going tonight, it will likely grind tomorrow's efforts to a halt as well. But, looking back, it's been hard to complain too much about our progress this spring.

Despite the later then desired start this April, we're about 75 percent done with getting this year's rice crop in the ground. The wet weather gave way to pretty favorable farming weather (until tonight of course), and the forced stop this weather will likely bring to tomorrow will likely depress many, considering we're getting so close to transitioning away from the push from planting into the summer.

But, everyone can tell there's light at the end of the tunnel. We aren't working nights or longer shifts anymore, some seasonal help have moved on, and everyone's getting ready to take that deep breath.

Hopefully, within a week, we can.

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More about Tom: Tom Butler farms rice with his father, Steve, in Sutter and Yolo Counties. Tom is the fourth generation of his family to farm.

When he’s not on the job, the University of Nebraska graduate enjoys swimming, water polo, hunting and spending time with his family.