Sacramento artist Merle Axelrad Serlin explains how Sacramento Valley rice fields are an important part of her stunning fabric collages.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Guest blog post: A Milestone in Williams
By Kathy Manor, Director Sacramento Valley Museum
The Sacramento Valley is a beautiful part of California with a rich history. Unfortunately, many outside of our area only catch a glimpse of it in their travels elsewhere.
Coming this Labor Day Weekend is a prime chance for you to take a trip back in time, to learn more about the value and vitality of this region.
We are in the final stages of preparations for a significant event in the history of our community- on Saturday, September 3, we will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the former Williams High School building which houses the Sacramento Valley Museum. Hundreds of people are expected. Admission is free and there will be food and plenty of entertainment throughout the day.
With 16,000 square feet of space and nearly 30 exhibits, the museum offers an in-depth look at what life was like in this valley from the mid 1800s through the mid 1900s, from the early days where railroads changed the western landscape to more modern times. Farming has been the backbone of our community from the start. To this day, you don’t have to travel far from our location to see family rice farms and dryers, tomato fields and orchards.
Located off of Interstate Five about an hour north of Sacramento, Williams was founded in the 1870s. This celebration involves the building that is now home to our museum. The building served as Williams High School from 1911 to 1956. It was vacant for several years, until a hard-working group of volunteers headed by Lulu Gale Salter spent a full year of cleaning and renovation, allowing the Sacramento Valley Museum to open in 1963.
A trip to our museum is not only a journey back to the early days of the Sacramento Valley - it offers insight into what life was like a century ago. Here, you will find a general store, parlor, alumni room and many other themed areas. This museum shows something that remains true to this day- Williams is a community with great civic pride and a persevering spirit. Simply put, it’s home and we’re proud of it!
The September 3 celebration is open to everyone. It will take place from 10 am to 4 pm on the museum grounds at 1491 E Street. Visitors can not only enjoy touring the museum, there will be food, craft booths and live entertainment from trick roper James Barrera of Woodland and music from the Putah Creek Crawdads. Next to the museum is the Glen Valley School – a one-room schoolhouse circa 1875 that has been lovingly restored under the direction of trustee Dixie LaGrande.
I encourage visitors far and wide to celebrate with us. I also encourage you to learn about the history of your community and to help preserve it for future generations.
For more information about the centennial celebration, please log on to:
SacValleyMuseum.com.
The Sacramento Valley is a beautiful part of California with a rich history. Unfortunately, many outside of our area only catch a glimpse of it in their travels elsewhere.
Coming this Labor Day Weekend is a prime chance for you to take a trip back in time, to learn more about the value and vitality of this region.
We are in the final stages of preparations for a significant event in the history of our community- on Saturday, September 3, we will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the former Williams High School building which houses the Sacramento Valley Museum. Hundreds of people are expected. Admission is free and there will be food and plenty of entertainment throughout the day.
With 16,000 square feet of space and nearly 30 exhibits, the museum offers an in-depth look at what life was like in this valley from the mid 1800s through the mid 1900s, from the early days where railroads changed the western landscape to more modern times. Farming has been the backbone of our community from the start. To this day, you don’t have to travel far from our location to see family rice farms and dryers, tomato fields and orchards.
Located off of Interstate Five about an hour north of Sacramento, Williams was founded in the 1870s. This celebration involves the building that is now home to our museum. The building served as Williams High School from 1911 to 1956. It was vacant for several years, until a hard-working group of volunteers headed by Lulu Gale Salter spent a full year of cleaning and renovation, allowing the Sacramento Valley Museum to open in 1963.
A trip to our museum is not only a journey back to the early days of the Sacramento Valley - it offers insight into what life was like a century ago. Here, you will find a general store, parlor, alumni room and many other themed areas. This museum shows something that remains true to this day- Williams is a community with great civic pride and a persevering spirit. Simply put, it’s home and we’re proud of it!
The September 3 celebration is open to everyone. It will take place from 10 am to 4 pm on the museum grounds at 1491 E Street. Visitors can not only enjoy touring the museum, there will be food, craft booths and live entertainment from trick roper James Barrera of Woodland and music from the Putah Creek Crawdads. Next to the museum is the Glen Valley School – a one-room schoolhouse circa 1875 that has been lovingly restored under the direction of trustee Dixie LaGrande.
I encourage visitors far and wide to celebrate with us. I also encourage you to learn about the history of your community and to help preserve it for future generations.
For more information about the centennial celebration, please log on to:
SacValleyMuseum.com.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Video from farmer Michael Bosworth- Revisiting Drake, the rice farm dog
Learn more about Drake, beloved pet of family rice farmer Michael Bosworth in the Sacramento Valley.
Michael Bosworth is the latest in a long family farming history at Rue & Forsman Ranch, which started operations in 1946 in Sutter County about 10 miles south of Marysville.
After earning a Masters Degree in Agricultural Economics at UC Davis, Michael returned to his family farm, which produces both conventional and organic rice.
He created and operates Next Generation Foods, a growing business that provides locally grown foods to businesses throughout Northern California.
In his spare time, Michael enjoys fly-fishing, the outdoors and spending time with wife, Suzanne, his family, and his dog, Drake.
Michael Bosworth is the latest in a long family farming history at Rue & Forsman Ranch, which started operations in 1946 in Sutter County about 10 miles south of Marysville.
After earning a Masters Degree in Agricultural Economics at UC Davis, Michael returned to his family farm, which produces both conventional and organic rice.
He created and operates Next Generation Foods, a growing business that provides locally grown foods to businesses throughout Northern California.
In his spare time, Michael enjoys fly-fishing, the outdoors and spending time with wife, Suzanne, his family, and his dog, Drake.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Guest post: The Artistry of California Ricelands
By Dolores Mitchell, Fine Artist
Six years ago I began painting rice fields in the Butte County communities of Richvale and Durham. Their changing colors attracted me—neon green in spring, gold in autumn, and mirrors to the sky when flooded in winter. The flatness of the fields presented a compositional challenge. I welcomed into my paintings the Sutter Buttes (the world’s smallest mountain range), as well as anything else vertical—silos, cattails, harvesting equipment, a rare tree. Yet, it was the very flatness of the fields that encouraged me to lay on great swaths of color, and this flatness led me to define clearly the elements of earth, sky, water and man made structures.
Six years ago I began painting rice fields in the Butte County communities of Richvale and Durham. Their changing colors attracted me—neon green in spring, gold in autumn, and mirrors to the sky when flooded in winter. The flatness of the fields presented a compositional challenge. I welcomed into my paintings the Sutter Buttes (the world’s smallest mountain range), as well as anything else vertical—silos, cattails, harvesting equipment, a rare tree. Yet, it was the very flatness of the fields that encouraged me to lay on great swaths of color, and this flatness led me to define clearly the elements of earth, sky, water and man made structures.
"Tranquility: Sutter Buttes with Flooded Rice Fields," Oil.
Over the years I have filled three notebooks with on-location sketches of rice fields, irrigation canals, weeds such as wild mustard, and a great many birds including Tundra Swans and Egrets. I continue my sketching expeditions until something I want to express becomes clear, such as the urgency of rice plants seeking the sun. Then I start painting in my studio, striving for a poetic response rather than documentation.
"Sutter Buttes, Rice Fields and Autumn Rain," Oil.
As a teenager I attended Saturday classes at the Chicago Art Institute. We were encouraged to sketch and paint ordinary life around us, derelict buildings, patches of weeds, kids playing ball, without looking for obvious beauty. I studied studio art and art history at UCLA, and then taught art history at California State University Chico for thirty years. I seldom had time or energy for painting while teaching.
Now retired, I am a member of the Avenue 9 Gallery Art Guild. I will show some recent rice field paintings at my solo exhibit at Avenue 9, “Chico + 20 Miles.” It opens with a Friday, September l6 reception (5-8pm) and runs through October l6.
My paintings are also part of Chico Museum’s “Amazing Grains” exhibition; I will give a talk on my creative process at the museum on 2pm, Sunday September 25.
Dolores Mitchell
Avenue 9 Gallery, 180 E. 9th Avenue, Chico 879-1821 www.avenue9gallery.com
“Almost Egypt,” oil
My paintings are also part of Chico Museum’s “Amazing Grains” exhibition; I will give a talk on my creative process at the museum on 2pm, Sunday September 25.
Dolores Mitchell
Avenue 9 Gallery, 180 E. 9th Avenue, Chico 879-1821 www.avenue9gallery.com
Monday, August 22, 2011
Video from farmer Sandy Denn: Innovative program to help Giant Garter Snakes
Family farmer Sandy Denn in Glenn County describes farmer participation in a program to help Giant Garter Snakes, one of nearly 230 wildlife species that use California ricelands.
Sandy Denn and her husband Wally own and operate Snow Goose Farms near Willows in Glenn County. She holds a law degree and has served on numerous boards and committees dealing with water in the North State. Sandy and Wally have six grown children. Her passions include hunting and fishing, and she used to fly a hot air balloon and a stunt plane for relaxation.
Sandy Denn and her husband Wally own and operate Snow Goose Farms near Willows in Glenn County. She holds a law degree and has served on numerous boards and committees dealing with water in the North State. Sandy and Wally have six grown children. Her passions include hunting and fishing, and she used to fly a hot air balloon and a stunt plane for relaxation.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Guest video- State Conservationist speaks on migratory bird program with rice farmers
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist Ed Burton comments on a $2 million program with California rice farmers to further enhance wildlife habitat.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Video: Wildlife very much at home in California Ricelands
Family farmer Brian McKenzie in Sutter County describes some of the wildlife he sees on a regular basis in his rice fields.
Brian McKenzie proudly represents the fourth generation of rice farmers in his family. Following his graduation in 2005 from The University of Nevada Reno where he earned bachelors degrees in Economics and Marketing, Brian returned to the family farm in South Sutter County to farm full-time alongside his father, Chris. Brian and his wife, Ashley, grow several varieties of conventional and organic rice. Brian enjoys the challenges that farming brings and takes pride in producing food for the world.
Brian McKenzie proudly represents the fourth generation of rice farmers in his family. Following his graduation in 2005 from The University of Nevada Reno where he earned bachelors degrees in Economics and Marketing, Brian returned to the family farm in South Sutter County to farm full-time alongside his father, Chris. Brian and his wife, Ashley, grow several varieties of conventional and organic rice. Brian enjoys the challenges that farming brings and takes pride in producing food for the world.
Guest video: EPA Scientist in California Rice country
EPA Environmental Scientist Debra Denton provides comments during her farmer visit and tour of Northern California rice fields.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Video from farmer Tom Butler: California rice turns the corner on maturity
Family farmer Tom Butler of Sutter County updates the status of the rice crop in mid-August.
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.
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.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Guest blog: Immortalizing Wildlife
By Don Hovie, Sacramento-based wildlife woodcarver
I have enjoyed and studied birds since was a young boy drawing and painting them. In 1946, when I was nine, my father gave me a carving set for my birthday and have been carving ever since. I have carved many species of shorebirds but game birds and waterfowl are more of my specialty. When I saw that the California Rice Commission wanted a Whimbrel for the 20ll Pacific Flyway Decoy Association show I decided I would enter. I drew up a pattern and procured a nice piece of sugar pine. After carving, sanding and sealing I painted it with Artist Acrylic paint. The Whimbrel has a classic look and shape and lends well for artistic rendering.
The Whimbrel is a large member of the sandpiper family smaller than his more common cousin the Long-billed Curlew. While in rice fields, Whimbrels probe for insects, worms and invertebrates. Along the coast it forages for small crabs and other beach creatures. During spring and fall, a wide scattering of Whimbrel may be seen on expansive mudflats, along undisturbed ocean wave slopes or in large plowed fields. Shorebirds of all kinds were hunted for the market until about the turn of the 20th century. The only shorebirds hunted today are the common Snipe and the Woodcock.
From the 1860’s to around 1900 market hunters would carve their own shorebird decoys. Those decoys today are worth thousands of dollars.
Carving for many years was my occupation. Now it is more of a hobby, but I still love it.
Don Hovie was among the winners at the 41st Annual Pacific Decoy Flyway Association’s Classic Wildlife Art Festival, held in Sacramento last month.
I have enjoyed and studied birds since was a young boy drawing and painting them. In 1946, when I was nine, my father gave me a carving set for my birthday and have been carving ever since. I have carved many species of shorebirds but game birds and waterfowl are more of my specialty. When I saw that the California Rice Commission wanted a Whimbrel for the 20ll Pacific Flyway Decoy Association show I decided I would enter. I drew up a pattern and procured a nice piece of sugar pine. After carving, sanding and sealing I painted it with Artist Acrylic paint. The Whimbrel has a classic look and shape and lends well for artistic rendering.
The Whimbrel is a large member of the sandpiper family smaller than his more common cousin the Long-billed Curlew. While in rice fields, Whimbrels probe for insects, worms and invertebrates. Along the coast it forages for small crabs and other beach creatures. During spring and fall, a wide scattering of Whimbrel may be seen on expansive mudflats, along undisturbed ocean wave slopes or in large plowed fields. Shorebirds of all kinds were hunted for the market until about the turn of the 20th century. The only shorebirds hunted today are the common Snipe and the Woodcock.
From the 1860’s to around 1900 market hunters would carve their own shorebird decoys. Those decoys today are worth thousands of dollars.
Carving for many years was my occupation. Now it is more of a hobby, but I still love it.
Don Hovie was among the winners at the 41st Annual Pacific Decoy Flyway Association’s Classic Wildlife Art Festival, held in Sacramento last month.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Blog post from Sean Doherty: Nearing harvest
The seasons keep changing, and harvest is closing in. My son and I found some of the first heads of rice emerging in our fields the other day. Of course, he had to pick it to take to mom. The first rice head to show up is always a big deal at home.
The crop is coming along okay, albeit slowly, with a lot of late weeds showing up. I don't expect much of an improvement in the yield from last year to this. We just have not had enough heat to set a real good crop, I believe. We will just have to wait and see to know for sure. One thing I do know is that it won't be an early harvest by any means.
We haven't even harvested this year’s crop and were already working on next year’s rice crop. One of our fields that had rotated out of rice for a couple of years is going to go back in rice next spring so we have started to get it ready to produce the best crop it can.
As soon as the winter wheat crop came off, rather late, we worked in the residue and smoothed off the field. Then we came in with our field leveling scraper that uses GPS technology to give the field a uniform slope so we can use the minimize the amount of water and herbicides needed to raise a good crop. It is an ongoing battle to keep the fields in good shape, but at least we’re making headway, I hope.
Sean Doherty is a 3rd generation rice farmer living out his dream, being a rice farmer in Dunnigan.
He farms in Yolo, Colusa, and Sutter Counties with his wife Melissa, and three kids, Hannah, Gus, and Mary. He enjoys being in the fields, watching the seasons, and sharing it with his family.
The crop is coming along okay, albeit slowly, with a lot of late weeds showing up. I don't expect much of an improvement in the yield from last year to this. We just have not had enough heat to set a real good crop, I believe. We will just have to wait and see to know for sure. One thing I do know is that it won't be an early harvest by any means.
We haven't even harvested this year’s crop and were already working on next year’s rice crop. One of our fields that had rotated out of rice for a couple of years is going to go back in rice next spring so we have started to get it ready to produce the best crop it can.
As soon as the winter wheat crop came off, rather late, we worked in the residue and smoothed off the field. Then we came in with our field leveling scraper that uses GPS technology to give the field a uniform slope so we can use the minimize the amount of water and herbicides needed to raise a good crop. It is an ongoing battle to keep the fields in good shape, but at least we’re making headway, I hope.
Sean Doherty is a 3rd generation rice farmer living out his dream, being a rice farmer in Dunnigan.
He farms in Yolo, Colusa, and Sutter Counties with his wife Melissa, and three kids, Hannah, Gus, and Mary. He enjoys being in the fields, watching the seasons, and sharing it with his family.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Video- California Rice Fields in August
Family farmer Michael Bosworth discusses progress with the 2011 rice crop in the Sacramento Valley.
Michael Bosworth is the latest in a long family farming history at Rue & Forsman Ranch, which started operations in 1946 in Sutter County about 10 miles south of Marysville.
After earning a Masters Degree in Agricultural Economics at UC Davis, Michael returned to his family farm, which produces both conventional and organic rice.
He created and operates Next Generation Foods, a growing business that provides locally grown foods to businesses throughout Northern California.
In his spare time, Michael enjoys fly-fishing, the outdoors and spending time with his family, wife, and his dog, Drake.
Michael Bosworth is the latest in a long family farming history at Rue & Forsman Ranch, which started operations in 1946 in Sutter County about 10 miles south of Marysville.
After earning a Masters Degree in Agricultural Economics at UC Davis, Michael returned to his family farm, which produces both conventional and organic rice.
He created and operates Next Generation Foods, a growing business that provides locally grown foods to businesses throughout Northern California.
In his spare time, Michael enjoys fly-fishing, the outdoors and spending time with his family, wife, and his dog, Drake.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Video from new blogger: Family rice farm provides great memories and a solid foundation
Debra DeWit of DeWit Farms in the Sacramento Valley describes the joy of growing up on their family farm.Click here to watch video and view photos.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Video post: Latest technology aids California rice milling
Chris Crutchfield, President and CEO of American Commodity Company in Williams, describes some of the latest technology that helps rice millers deliver excellent quality rice to customers.
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.
Chris CrutchfieldPresident 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.
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