Tour participants spoke with industry members and toured mills, warehouses, driers, rice fields, and research facilities.

On July 15, 16 and 17, the California Rice Commission (CRC) hosted an industry tour with representatives from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA).  The 5 members of the USEPA were from the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) and the 2 members of the USDA were from the Office of Pest Management Policy (OPMP)/Office of Chief Economist. 

The itinerary included tours and discussions with industry experts at rice mills and driers, at farmers’ fields, irrigation water conveyance structures, and at the Rice Experiment Station.  They spoke with Pest Control Advisors (PCAs), ag-chem distributors, pesticide applicators, and learned about rice farm management practices/equipment and agronomy.  They also heard from CRC staff regarding the Rice Footprint, conservation programs, water quality regulations, and the history and challenges of pesticide regulation.  

One attendee said of the tour, “We learned so much to take back to our work and we really appreciate how nuanced and all-encompassing the experience was, touching on more than just pesticides, while helping us understand how pesticide regulations intersect with so many parts of production.”

We appreciate all who participated to make this a successful tour!

For more information, contact the CRC’s Industry Affairs Manager Craig Riddle at criddle@calrice.org.

Published Date: July 24, 2025