Biggs rice grower receives top honor

Rice grower Edgar Meyer of Meyer Farms Inc. in Biggs was the recipient of the California Rice Industry Award at the annual Rice Field Day at the Rice Experiment Station in Biggs.

Meyer has been growing rice since 1951 and served in many leadership roles. He is a former director of Farmers' Rice Cooperative in Sacramento and was a founding director of Red Top Rice Growers in Biggs. He was joined by his wife, Lillian, and other family members.

During the California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation business meeting, Rice Experiment Station Director Kent McKenzie noted that Peter Panton is retiring from the foundation board of directors after serving in that capacity for 35 years.

McKenzie also announced that Christopher Greer, who served as University of California Cooperative Extension rice farm advisor since 2002, was recently selected to be vice provost of the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. In his new role, he serves as the statewide administrative leader for county-based Cooperative Extension programs. His office is located at UC Davis.