We have drained most of our fields and the crop seems to be on schedule. One hundred, forty days is the usual time frame to grow our medium grain rice and we are on track, meaning the likely start of harvest at the end of this month.
The rice panicles look filled up which is a good sign. You can’t fully assess quality though until the rice is in the bin. We hope for no rainfall during harvest, which makes it much more difficult to carry out. I was just reading that 100 years ago today Chico received an inch of rain. Fortunately, so far this fall the weather prospects look better. However, you never know what October will bring.
This will be my 71st consecutive rice harvest and it’s something that has not only been my job but has had many enjoyable aspects to it. I truly appreciate the families involved in growing the crop, the significance of rice in the Sacramento Valley and this special community of Richvale.
Dennis Lindberg has grown rice in Butte County for nearly 70 consecutive years.He’s a well-known author and metal artist, taking scrap metal and creating beautiful animal sculptures. His civic work and love of community is evidenced by his being honored as “Outstanding Citizen of the 20th Century” by Lundberg Family Farms. He and his wife Charlotte have two children – Gary and Sherry. Gary farms with his father in the historic community of Richvale, which recently celebrated its centennial.
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