The Birth Of California's Rice Industry Expanded SD 480p

This is a revised edition of my recent video on the history of California's rice industry. I wanted to add three new points. First was a deeper look into the relationship between China and British colonialism. Not mentioned was that the Irish suffered the same fate as the Chinese. Ireland was said to be England's first colony. In Ireland, British land owners wanted to use Irish land for export not for the needs of the local Irish people. As a result the Irish were left with potatoes... When their potato crop failed, many left for the United States. On the other side of the world, the Chinese suffered from British colonialism in what became known as the Opium Wars. Like the Irish, Chinese men joined California's gold rush and would later work on the transcontinental railroad. Irony would have it as the Chinese refuges helped build the western link (Central Pacific Railroad) while the Irish refuges built the eastern link (Union Pacific Railroad).
Next new point was pointing out a new project where the California rice fields, next to the Sacramento River, are being used to fatten juvenile chinook (king) salmon. The rice field experiment might help save our endangered Chinook salmon from extinction.
The last new entry introduces the Lundberg Family Farms. The Dust Bowl of the 1930's chased the Lundberg family to Richvale. In Richvale, the Lundbergs would join family and friends. Having witnessed the destruction of the Lundberg family farm in Nebraska, Albert Lundberg would set out experimenting with innovative farming practices.

[@Rivkid76]

Some interesting points....the Land Colony started in 1909 and a number of people were swindled. But the Grells had farmed rice in Texas, and Elmer wrote to Pete and Oscar because land was cheap. They arrived in time for 1912-1913 crop year. The Lindbergs and the Lofgrens also were first planters.....the industry was already 25 years old when the Albert Lundbergs arrived. Check out "Rice in California", published 1977

[@michaelstark1]

Thanks for your added information. The Texas info (Grells) is new to me. Wish I had this notation while making the video. The extended video includes the Lindbergh family story. They came during the dust bowl. Thank you for the added information.

[@Rivkid76]

@@michaelstark1 no, there are Lindbergs and Lundbergs. David Lindberg was a first planter; Joe Lundberg (Albert's older brother) was a field hand for Andersons and married to a Grell. The first planters were Lindbergs, Grells, Andersons, Lofgrens, Carlsons and Rystroms. Lundbergs are not in that generation, though they may hint at that in their marketing. I grew up in Richvale, I know this very well. The Richvale writing group published a book a few years ago too.