Robin Koda grew up playing on the family farm and walking rice paddy levees to find birds’ nests and catch crayfish. Today, as a co-owner/operator of Koda Farms, the oldest vertically integrated rice farm and mill in California, she describes her mission as enlightening people about the nuances and richly-storied history of rice. For her, rice is not only a crop but a testament to traditions rooted in deep familial ties and a lineage reaching back to the turn of the last century. Keisaburo Koda, a Japanese immigrant and Robin’s grandfather, came to California in 1908 and explored a varied range of ventures before establishing himself in the San Joaquin Valley, pioneering farm techniques leading to his reputation as the “Rice King.” The repercussions of WWII Japanese-American internment laws forced the family to Colorado for the duration of the war and resulted in the loss of their land, processing plant, equipment, livestock, and homes. Nevertheless, after the war’s end, the family returned to rebuild their business and became the first commercial growers of “sweet rice.” The family went on to develop acclaimed products such as Sho-Chiku-Bai® Sweet Rice, Blue Star® Mochiko Sweet Rice Flour, and a unique medium-grained Japanese rice which they named Kokuho Rose®. As Koda Farms approaches its centennial, Robin remains committed to sustainable farming and high-quality food production.