|
This month, Art Lover and third generation farmer, Eric Schreiner of Schreiner Bros Farms, has invited us to visit several of their rice fields at the 1660 and Henle ranches. The family grows Calrose Rice, a distinctly Californian rice grain that was developed at the Rice Experiment Station near Biggs CA and released to farmers in 1948.
The original local Schreiners, Roy and Elizabeth, migrated from North Dakota to the Sutter Basin / Yolo region in the 1940s and established their lives and agricultural footprint in the fertile lowlands surrounding the Sacramento River, framing the boundaries of Knights Landing and Robbins. They raised a large family here, including sons Joseph James, William, Minnie (Schreiner) Brenner, Amy (Schreiner) Fricke, Rosemary (Schreiner) Smith, Tillie (Schreiner) Wayrynen.
After growing up in the local fields, Joseph pursued a business administration degree at Golden Gate University and graduated from Sacramento State before committing fully to the family trade. He, along with his brother William, helped build the regional farming infrastructure by serving on the Board of Directors for the Sutter Basin Growers Co-op and the Sutter Mutual Water Company.
Today, the farm is run by Joseph’s nephews, Eric and Rodney Schreiner. Under modern direction, the business adapted to the shifting agricultural economy of Yolo County, beginning to specialize heavily in bulk processing tomatoes, supplying the regional canneries and pizza sauce manufacturers that rely on Sacramento Valley growers. Eric and his family continue to oversee and manage 13,000 acres of land, frequently opening their commercial acreage to academic field research to protect regional tomato yields from local crop threats.
The 1660 Ranch, at the northernmost end of Knights Landing, offers grand views of verdant rice fields and close ups of the Sutter Buttes. This property is also home to an old pump house from the early twentieth century. The unused structure still stands as new pumps and machinery are used today. Land access is also available to a bridge for additional vantage points.
South of the meeting location sits Henle Ranch, featuring a wide horizon that enhances the views of the rice fields. These fields are growing Calrose Rice and will be drained and will be harvested by Sept 20th. You are welcome to walk into the field at this location. The field on the west end of Henle Ranch has rows of corn crops, a Japanese variety commonly used for corn nuts (please stay to the perimeter of corn rows).
I'll see you on the farm!
Jenna Harris
Artist Engagement Director
YoloArts | jharris@yoloarts.org
| 
