Local volunteers with farming backgrounds, including retired preschool teacher Sue Orme (center, in pink), engaged students as Orme explained how a large piece of harvesting equipment processes rice.

 

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Ricetastic Day returned to the fields west of Gridley on Tuesday, Oct. 6, marking the fourth year since its return to the Gridley Unified School District as an early fall field trip for area youth.

First-grade students from Manzanita and McKinley elementary schools were invited to the Schohr Family Ranch for a hands-on educational field experience to learn about local farming and the rice harvesting process.

Students were also able to see the “farm-to-fork” process, witnessing rice growing in the fields before harvest while tasting various recipes and food items made with the grain after it had been processed for consumption.

Local elementary school students get a hands-on look at rice processing with Luis Espino of the University of California Cooperative Extension (left, facing camera) and his associate during Ricetastic Day 2026.

Ricetastic Day was revived by siblings Tracy and Ryan Schohr in 2023 after a long hiatus.

“We did this about 40 years ago and then we started it again here with Tracey’s inspiration,” said Ryan Schohr.

Students who arrived shortly after 9 a.m. were introduced to the day’s purpose, individuals involved and itinerary, then guided through a series of educational stations set along the banks of the rice fields.

Participating organizations included the Butte County Farm Bureau, University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), local farmers and FFA volunteers. Each group ran an educational station, from colored rice art to up-close looks at harvesting equipment.

Lisa Donati reads “Daddy’s Got Dirt,” a children’s book written by Gridley native and rice farmer Matthew Sligar. Students excitedly recognized the fields and equipment depicted in the book as part of the agricultural landscape surrounding their hometown.

“We have reading, we have art, we have science, including STEM and nutrition, so it’s really a full curriculum day out here that they get to do in the field with rice,” said Tracy Schohr.

Each year, the event grows in popularity as more students, parents and school groups become involved.

“More people are out here today, which is exciting,” said Tracy Schohr. She continued, “I also think that we have more parents than what we have had in the past. It is really exciting as it is an opportunity for them to spend their day with their child, but they also get to come out and learn about rice too.”

Nicole Chavez accompanied her son, Colton, to Ricetastic Day and said she was enjoying the interactive experience.

“This is the first time I’ve been here and I really love how involved everyone is,” said Chavez.

The Butte County Farm Bureau staffed STEM stations at Ricetastic Day, including a rice art activity where children used brightly colored rice to create images of local wildlife.

“Learning about the vehicles and equipment, everything that they’re using to grow it, and how much time it takes, from beginning months, to the end of the season. It’s a lot,” said Chavez.

Ryan Schohr agreed that he had noticed increased support for the program from both parents and instructors.

“It seems like every year there are more parents that come to this. It’s something that I think they look forward to, maybe hearing stories from their friends or from other children sharing their experiences,” said Ryan Schohr.

Ricetastic Day proved to be a learning experience for all attendees, with the event expected to return in 2027.

First-grader Colton Chavez, attending Ricetastic Day with his mother, Nicole Chavez, gets a special peek inside the cab of a John Deere tractor, bringing a big smile to his face.