New blog from Chris Crutchfield: Solar tech reaches a new level

Last week marked the completion of the loading of the MV Global Arrow at the Port of Stockton with 13,000 metric tons of milled California Calrose rice headed for Japan. Normally this wouldn't be any big deal -- after all it's just one of the more than 20 vessels of its kind this rice season. But the Global Arrow's cargo is very different from that of its sister ships -- it is the first "all solar" vessel to be shipped from California. In fact, it might be the first ever. One hundred percent of the paddy rice on this vessel was dried and stored in solar powered warehouses (Montna Farms Dryer in Dingville and Myers & Charter Warehouse in Arbuckle). Moreover, all of the finished product was milled, processed, and packaged at the state's only two solar powered rice mills -- American Commodity Company (ACC) and California Family Foods (CFF).

Hold #4 of the MV Global Arrow at mid-day.
Each bag weighs one metric ton.

About two years ago, the rice industry's drying and storage sector started to move toward solar conversion. That trend has continued, and today there are more than a dozen large, commercial drying and storage operations in the state operating in part or in total on solar energy. Last December, the ACC and CFF rice mills went online with their fully powered solar operations. As time goes on, the new solar arrays being built are getting larger and larger. Today, many produce more energy than their accompanying facility uses -- they are putting power back into PG&E's grids and running the meters backwards!

I think there are two main reasons for this trend: (1) Finally the economic factors have made it such that, even though there is a significant capital investment required, a return is achievable. This is partially due to legislation passed by the state and federal governments, and partially due to a substantial decrease in construction costs of the arrays over time. (2) Perhaps more importantly, it's the right thing to do. We need to show the public that the agriculture industry is not just the producer. In other words, since end users are demanding more sustainable products with lower carbon footprints and more use of renewable energy, all of agriculture needs to work towards that goal. The burden cannot be placed fully on the producers' backs causing them astronomical increases in input costs. At the processing level, we too need to show that we are willing to do our part in achieving this goal.

One shipload of rice to Japan does not change the world by any stretch of the imagination. But then again, Rome wasn't built in a day.

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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.