Pinnacle Rice Cooperative was recently launched to increase member returns by providing liquidity, quality and logistical support to the California rice industry.
Calrose Co-op, a grower-owned cooperative comprising rice farmers throughout Northern California, was folded into the Butte County Rice Growers Association to create Pinnacle, BUCRA’s new marketing arm.
Pinnacle’s membership will be expanded beyond BUCRA’s headquarters in Richvale to include all of the state’s rice-growing regions, according to a news release. The new marketing division, which will be based in Chico, will provide a hybrid model that offers both pool and cash marketing services to its members.
Although Pinnacle is a division of BUCRA, Pinnacle members don’t have to buy chemicals, fertilizer or dry their rice through BUCRA.
The marketing arm will be managed by Stuart Hoetger and Logan Wilson, while Carl Hoff, president and CEO of BUCRA, and the BUCRA board will provide strategic oversight and guidance.
Founded in 1914 by 30 rice farmers, BUCRA has grown to more than 400 growers with three main lines of business – seed, supplies and drying/storage.