Rice
Rice is a cereal grain, and in its domesticated form is the staple food for over half of the world's human population, particularly in Asia and Africa, due to the vast amount of soil that is able to grow rice. Rice grains can be planted directly into the field where they will grow, or seedlings can be grown in a seedbed and transplanted into the field. 90% of world production is from Asia. (From Wiki)
As we travel in N. California we see many rice fields, especially around Sacramento. Rice production is concentrated in the Sacramento Valley, where about 95% of California rice is grown, with the balance grown in a few counties of the northern San Joaquin Valley. California is number two in rice production. Arkansas ranks first among rice-producing states, accounting for more than 40 percent of U.S. rice production -- primarily long and medium grain varieties.
California is subject to droughts, and rice growing requires water.
Northern California, where the rice is grown,, used to be considered a wet rainy place, at least during the fall and winter, Now that the business is established, the farmers are powerful enough politically to keep getting cheap water.
We learned that most rice is planted from planes! The seeds fall into grooves made by tractors. It’s harvested mechanically.
During our recent Sacramento Wildlife Reserve trip we wondered about the huge numbers of processing and storage facilities, seemingly one every mile, near the highway and in the distance. We also learned that properly stored rice can last 10 years. These plants are huge, and many have solar panels.
I previously mentioned difficulties in taking good photos in the Reserve. Since we had to stay in the car, there were always reeds in the photo. Upon viewing them later…..not so bad.
Day one. Snow geese resting and clouds on the mountains. I recalled that two years ago there was snow.
Day two. Oh, the snow was there, behind the clouds. This is my favorite photo from the trip.