Since 1985, we have sought to grow our rice and our business through quality and innovative farming practices.

Where it all started.

Jeff Caswell began his career in rice in 1978 while taking a work experience class in high school on a ranch in Durham, California. There he learned the ins and outs of rice farming, adding new ideas and expertise where he saw fit. Jeff enjoyed the hardwork associated with farming and began his own business — Caswell Farms. In 1986, Caswell Farms was established through a general partnership between Jeff and his wife Cindy. A few years later, Caswell Farms continued to optimize their farming practices and founded another farming opportunity, Caswell Farms Rice Straw Incorporation.

Growing rice and the business.

Caswell Farms Rice Straw Incorporation began in 1989 when the news of a ban on rice straw burning was going to be implemented in 1991.  Chopping, chiseling and disking were time consuming and expensive compared to burning the fields to rid the straw; therefore Jeff’s wheels began to turn.  Cage Rollers pulled by a tractor had been in existence, and some beginning designs of self propelled machines were experimenting, but they were not very successful. So we began creating steel wheels that mounted to a tractor and self propelled in a flooded field.

After trial and error, we created the “stomper” that is known and replicated today.

Where we have grown today.

Over the many years of operations, Caswell Farms has grown into a large rice producer and is able to help service other farmers as well. We truly appreciate our customers throughout the Sacramento Valley who have worked with us over the past 30+ years, allowing us to stomp their rice straw and improve our tractor design.  We have found that every field is different. The harvest method, type of straw, type of soil, water management and timing play important roles in effectively incorporating rice straw.