Our History

Alongside the Mississippi River, the Gerard family settled on this land and began farming it. They recognized the potential of the fertile Illinois soil on the banks of the river, and their farm has flourished for four generations. In 1990, descendant Blake Gerard returned to the land seeking to revitalize this multi-generational farming operation.

Today, Blake continues to carry on his family’s legacy. A recognized pioneer in the rice industry, his work is never done. Blake’s passion for farming paired with his intimate understanding of the rice market allow him a unique perspective on producing the highest quality rice without sacrificing the unique characteristics that set family-owned and operated farms like his apart. He is constantly looking to improve his methods and to better his product, a commitment we all share here at Cahokia Rice.

A Return to Sustainability

The Cahokia were the first sustainable farmers, and our business represents a return to these same sustainable practices. We utilize environmentally friendly practices, growing our rice without the use of GMO’s and minimizing the amount of water and fertilizer we add to our product while still maintaining a healthy crop.

A few factors allow this. One is our proximity to the mighty Mississippi River, a mere walking distance from our farm and a natural and efficient irrigator of our nutrient-rich soil. Another factor is our implementation of best-in-class soil conservation practices. This prevents harmful soil erosion, guaranteeing the preservation of our land and maintenance of its natural fertility for years to come. Through these techniques, Cahokia Rice reduces our environmental footprint with the added bonus of reducing our prices for our customers.

Our Product

We mill and package our crop in small batches to maximize taste and nutrition, harvesting the grains when they contain peak protein content. We guarantee that each package of Cahokia Rice meets these standards of quality that we hold ourselves to.

Our Mission

At Cahokia we are committed to providing fresh, locally grown rice to the southern Illinois community and beyond. Our proximity to the cities of Chicago and St. Louis allows us to be a truly authentic farm to table provider. Cahokia Rice uses tried and true farming techniques as well as new, sustainable approaches to offer a product with both distinct flavor and an abundance of natural proteins.