We farm rice, wheat and safflower in Colusa County. We have three varieties of wetlands on our property; a portion of Sycamore Slough (a Blue Line Wetland), rice (where we also utilize winter flooding) and a Reverse-Cycle Waterfowl Brood Pond. We are both directors of the Colusa County Resource Conservation District.
We, as farmers, co-exist with woldlife, natural phenomena, as well as the agencies that oversee them. We utilize the portion of Sycamore Slough as an integral part of our irrigation system. If we were to make changes to it, we are well aware of who to contact at NRCS. An important part of our rice program is winter-flooding. We have worked with Ducks Unlimited to get federal support through a b-22 grant. This reimburses us for one half of our expenses. Besides giving us an alternative to burning rice straw, it has provided habitat for thousands of waterfoul during winter months. We have a large population of Sand Hill Cranes who visit our fields annually.
We had a field that was unproductive due to high alkalinity. The California Waterfowl Assoc. and Ca. Dept. of Fish & Game worked with us to create a Reverse-Cycle Brood Pond. We flood it from March 15th through July 15th. It is located near wheatand rice fields which enhance late season crop cover. The concept was to give waterfowl a breeding ground when there was no other standing water in our area. It has been very successful.
At one time we were afraid of outsiders telling us what we had to do with our property (We still are!!). We've found, however, that through open communication and co-operation, we are able to work with environmental and conservation groups to enhance the environment for waterfowl and ourselves. Wetlands can, and should be, our friends...as opposed to fearing what someone or some agency might dictate. The relationships created with people will harvest not only beneficial results but beneficial environments.