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The sun sets on the rice fields as an approaching storm brings the promise of a new spring. Butte County is one California's most productive farming counties. Butte County is located in the fertile northern Sacramento River valley with it's deep loam formed from eons of erosion. Both the Butte County Agricultural site here and the USDA site here have more statistics than most people need but if you are interested in production statistics then you will want to pay a visit. Rice is the number one agricultural commodity grown in Butte County bringing in over one hundred million dollars yearly. The Biggs Rice Experiment Station is responsible for developing 90% of California's rice. Almonds and walnuts come in second and third in production. Every variety of food commodity can be found growing in Butte County. Butte College teaches a variety of Agriculture related courses including some available online. Thriving farmer's markets abound with locally grown organic produce. Butte County is home to a number of growing wineries. Greyfox in Oroville, LaRocca in Forest Ranch, and HoneyRun Winery in Chico are names you may hear. Butte County also has a long history of logging and lumber production which has seen the closure of several mills in recent years. Sierra Pacific Industries is the primary timber operator in Butte County as well as being one of the largest landowners in the United States.