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October 14, 2026 / The Journal

From field to mill

Follow the questions, details and everyday work behind each grain.

Combine harvester unloading rice into a grain cart at Woods Farm.

Harvest is only the halfway point. Once rice leaves the field, a whole new set of decisions begins — and each one shapes how the final grain looks, cooks and tastes.

Step 1: Harvest and haul

Combines cut and thresh the rice, then grain carts shuttle it to waiting trucks. Timing matters: harvest too early and the grain is underdeveloped, too late and it can crack or shatter.

Step 2: Drying

Freshly harvested rough rice carries a lot of moisture. It is dried slowly and evenly so the kernels stay whole. Rushing this step is one of the quickest ways to lose quality.

Step 3: Milling

At the mill, the outer hull is removed to produce brown rice. For white rice, the bran layer is gently polished away. Throughout the process, the rice is cleaned, sorted and checked so only consistent grains move forward.

Step 4: Packaging

Finally, the rice is packed and labelled, ready to travel to kitchens, stores and partners. Keeping every step close to home means fewer miles between the field and the bag.