Michael Hubbartt, author of "Images of America, The Sutter Buttes." describes the important role family farmers and ranchers have played in preserving the icon of the Sacramento Valley. Hubbartt conducts educational programs about the Buttes and was recognized with a Spirit of Freedom Award sponsored by the Marysville Appeal-Democrat for his dedication to the environment. He has collected images for this volume from the Community Memorial Hospital of Sutter County, the Sutter County Historical Society, neighboring libraries and many local families.Monday, December 20, 2010
Guest video blog: The Sutter Buttes, Part Two: Its History and Mystery
Michael Hubbartt, author of "Images of America, The Sutter Buttes." describes the important role family farmers and ranchers have played in preserving the icon of the Sacramento Valley. Hubbartt conducts educational programs about the Buttes and was recognized with a Spirit of Freedom Award sponsored by the Marysville Appeal-Democrat for his dedication to the environment. He has collected images for this volume from the Community Memorial Hospital of Sutter County, the Sutter County Historical Society, neighboring libraries and many local families.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
New book- Rice Nutrient Management
New book- Rice Nutrient Management in California
As a flooded crop, rice presents unique fertility management problems. Fertilizer application benefits plant health and grain quality, however, misuse of fertilizers can damage crops, contaminate the environment, and waste money.
With increasing fertilizer prices, the need to focus on careful nutrient management is greater than ever. This guide walks you through the steps needed to analyze your situation so you can make more informed decisions about nutrient management for your crop.
Chapters cover the basics from soil types and how flooding affects soil fertility to a complete analysis of 7 nutrients along with salinity, pH and other toxicities. Also included is a chapter on nutrient management for organic rice.
This full-color manual is illustrated with 74 figures, illustrations, and photographs, and 23 tables. A measurement conversion table, a glossary, and extensive references round out this essential guide.
With increasing fertilizer prices, the need to focus on careful nutrient management is greater than ever. This guide walks you through the steps needed to analyze your situation so you can make more informed decisions about nutrient management for your crop.
Chapters cover the basics from soil types and how flooding affects soil fertility to a complete analysis of 7 nutrients along with salinity, pH and other toxicities. Also included is a chapter on nutrient management for organic rice.
This full-color manual is illustrated with 74 figures, illustrations, and photographs, and 23 tables. A measurement conversion table, a glossary, and extensive references round out this essential guide.
Blog post by Nicole Montna Van Vleck: A Lasting Legacy
The Leopold Award is a coveted conservation award given out to agriculturalists in eight different states each year, and is named after conservationist Aldo Leopold. My father, Al Montna, was this year's recipient of the award at the California Farm Bureau Convention.
The message of "sustaining agriculture and wildlife" that appears on the sign in front of our ranch at Montna Farms is pervasive throughout our farming operation because of his ideals to create a better environment for agriculture, waterfowl and people. He began as a leader in conservation practices such as the phasing out of the burning of rice fields and replacing that practice with flooding fields after harvest to provide valuable habitat for migrating waterfowl. Later, he enrolled over 2,000 acres into permanent agricultural easements that also greatly benefitted waterfowl in the winter. This land that currently is covered in Tundra Swans, duck and geese will never have a strip mall or housing development on it. My dad's vision will keep it in agriculture forever.
I believe Aldo Leopold would have been proud of his accomplishments just as I am.
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.
The message of "sustaining agriculture and wildlife" that appears on the sign in front of our ranch at Montna Farms is pervasive throughout our farming operation because of his ideals to create a better environment for agriculture, waterfowl and people. He began as a leader in conservation practices such as the phasing out of the burning of rice fields and replacing that practice with flooding fields after harvest to provide valuable habitat for migrating waterfowl. Later, he enrolled over 2,000 acres into permanent agricultural easements that also greatly benefitted waterfowl in the winter. This land that currently is covered in Tundra Swans, duck and geese will never have a strip mall or housing development on it. My dad's vision will keep it in agriculture forever.
I believe Aldo Leopold would have been proud of his accomplishments just as I am.
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.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
UCCE Winter Rice Meeting Schedule
The University of California Cooperative Extension will hold their 2011 Winter Rice Meetings at four locations in January, including:
January 18:
8:00 AM – Noon Evangelical Free Church, Richvale
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Glenn Pheasant Hall
January 24:
8:00 AM – Noon Granzella’s, Williams
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Veteran’s Hall, Yuba City
Further information will be posted when available.
January 18:
8:00 AM – Noon Evangelical Free Church, Richvale
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Glenn Pheasant Hall
January 24:
8:00 AM – Noon Granzella’s, Williams
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Veteran’s Hall, Yuba City
Further information will be posted when available.
New blog post from Tom Butler: Back from Mississippi
I’m just back in the office after spending the last few days in Biloxi, Mississippi at the USA Rice Outlook Conference. This conference, open to anyone who is involved in the rice industry, is held yearly in one of the six states that provide nearly all of the rice grown in America. It is a time to meet with colleagues and old friends to share stories about the past year, for Federation committees to old their quarterly meetings, and to cover the issues facing our industry as a whole."Sustainability" was easily one of the top three words I kept hearing throughout the conference. Certainly a popular buzzword around all agricultural circles, it is an issue that is rapidly emerging among the most pressing in our industry. I heard a great report given by Jennifer James of the USA Rice Federation, who has spent a great deal of time trying to tackle the parameters and even the definition of sustainable rice farming for everyone. As you can imagine, the definition of sustainability varies so much that you could ask 13 people you met on the street what they thought it meant, and you could expect 13 different definitions. Being from an industry that prides itself on conservation, frugal water use, and giving back to the habitat and area we live, I feel confident that our message fits well with anyone's definition of sustainability.
As my week ended with the alumni dinner for current and past Rice Leadership class members, we got to welcome in the class of 2011. I've talked in the past what an outstanding program Rice Leadership is, and I was proud to see two more California guys make it into this select class this year. I know that they will enjoy the program as much as I have, and look forward to hearing about their experiences as well.
All in all, it was a great way to get away from the rainy season of the Sacramento Valley for a week.
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.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Video blog post: Learn more about the Sutter Buttes from author Michael Hubbartt
Michael Hubbartt, author of "Images of America, The Sutter Buttes." describes the important role family farmers and ranchers have played in preserving the icon of the Sacramento Valley. Hubbartt conducts educational programs about the Buttes and was recognized with a Spirit of Freedom Award sponsored by the Marysville Appeal-Democrat for his dedication to the environment. He has collected images for this volume from the Community Memorial Hospital of Sutter County, the Sutter County Historical Society, neighboring libraries and many local families.Friday, December 10, 2010
Video post by Lauren LaGrande: Life in Maxwell, CA
Lauren LaGrande is the latest in a family farming tradition that began nearly 100 years ago. She is a sophomore at Maxwell High School and is active in FFA, Future Business Leaders of America, volleyball, basketball and softball. When she’s on the farm, you’ll often see her with her trusted companion, Hank, the family dog. Lauren’s great-grandfather grew his first rice crop in the Sacramento Valley in 1916 and the family has continued this tradition ever since.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
News Release - RICE GROWER MONTNA WINS 2010 LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD
Sand County Foundation, the California Farm Bureau Federation and Sustainable Conservation, today named Al Montna of Yuba City as the 2010 recipient of the Leopold Conservation Award in California. New video from Lauren LaGrande: Winter preparations on the family rice farm
Lauren LaGrande is the latest in a family farming tradition that began nearly 100 years ago. She is a sophomore at Maxwell High School and is active in FFA, Future Business Leaders of America, volleyball, basketball and softball. When she’s on the farm, you’ll often see her with her trusted companion, Hank, the family dog. Lauren’s great-grandfather grew his first rice crop in the Sacramento Valley in 1916 and the family has continued this tradition ever since.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Guest video blog from farmer Don Bransford: "Rice fields provide critical wildlife habitat"
Don Bransford: This fourth-generation family farmer has grown rice in Colusa County since 1980. Don has a long history of service to the community and agriculture, including nearly 30 years on the Board of Trustees and Governing Board for the Colusa Unified School District. He currently serves as President of the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District. Don’s interests include photography, as he enjoys capturing the majestic wildlife often seen in his rice fields. Don and his wife Diane have four children.
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