CRC Blog
A Capitol Education
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
By: Nicole Van Vleck, California Rice Farmer
Every year hundreds of groups gather at the State Capitol for their annual legislative days and receptions. Rice farmers are no different. Last week, I attended our annual California Rice legislative day. Prior to coming back to the family farm, I worked as a legislative analyst for a law firm and spent many hours at the State Capitol. In fact, I met my husband in the very conference room that we convened in last week.
From the moment I arrived at the Capitol with our group of rice farmers and millers, I realized so much has changed since I walked these halls on a daily basis. Perimeter barriers and metal detectors were non-existent back then. Term limits didn’t exist either. Speaker Willie Brown still reigned, and lobbyist couldn’t text or tweet messages to Legislators on the floor. However, some things remain the same. The halls are still filled with curious visitors trying to get a peak in the Governor’s office, legislative staffers are still trying to keep abreast of continually changing legislation, and even some Legislators are still there, Jim Nielsen, who was in the State Senate back then is now back in the Assembly.
There is still the same sense of energy found in the building that has always been there. There is also the same sense of purpose that affords ordinary citizens a voice and a forum to be heard. As a one of only 2,500 rice farmers in California, I felt it was important to tell the Legislators we met with how important rice farmers are to this state. That we provide many field, processing and transportation jobs based on wages and safety standards that are higher than other rice growing states, We provide habitat to over seven million ducks and geese that migrate along the Pacific Flyway. Not to mention, we also provide rice for the various ethnic dishes found throughout California. As we met with Legislators from urban and rural areas and from both political parties, it was important to connect with them at some level about rice. For some, the environmental benefits of rice was most important, others focused on jobs, and still others honestly proclaimed their love for one of the dishes our rice is famous for - sushi.
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.
From the moment I arrived at the Capitol with our group of rice farmers and millers, I realized so much has changed since I walked these halls on a daily basis. Perimeter barriers and metal detectors were non-existent back then. Term limits didn’t exist either. Speaker Willie Brown still reigned, and lobbyist couldn’t text or tweet messages to Legislators on the floor. However, some things remain the same. The halls are still filled with curious visitors trying to get a peak in the Governor’s office, legislative staffers are still trying to keep abreast of continually changing legislation, and even some Legislators are still there, Jim Nielsen, who was in the State Senate back then is now back in the Assembly.
There is still the same sense of energy found in the building that has always been there. There is also the same sense of purpose that affords ordinary citizens a voice and a forum to be heard. As a one of only 2,500 rice farmers in California, I felt it was important to tell the Legislators we met with how important rice farmers are to this state. That we provide many field, processing and transportation jobs based on wages and safety standards that are higher than other rice growing states, We provide habitat to over seven million ducks and geese that migrate along the Pacific Flyway. Not to mention, we also provide rice for the various ethnic dishes found throughout California. As we met with Legislators from urban and rural areas and from both political parties, it was important to connect with them at some level about rice. For some, the environmental benefits of rice was most important, others focused on jobs, and still others honestly proclaimed their love for one of the dishes our rice is famous for - sushi.
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.
