May 2026: Rice, Rain, and Reflection

On May 31, 2026, Black Sustainability, Inc., iiwii Farms and Eco-PARADIGM partnered to host an AfroIndigenous Rice Cultivation workshop and NRCS conservation field day at G4 Farms for growers and farmers interested in various irrigation practices. The event was sponsored by Winston County Self Help Cooperative.

This workshop was a testament to the range of crops that can be grown on irrigation. Water conservation and rice planting are not often found together but in light of the high levels of plastic and rising genetic modification of organically grown rice, there was an urgency to reclaim this sacred science for our wellness AND to cultivate it with limited water use. Our farmer and instructor, Myles Gaines of iiwii (It Is What It Is) farm has years of success cultivating rice on irrigation and not flooding the rice with water.

The day of the workshop we welcomed a beautiful beaming full moon and recharging rains for our Afro-Indigenous Rice Planting Workshop on G4 Farms in Crawfordville, Georgia. Like water on a duck’s back, the rain did not deter our participants who showed up eager to learn more about this farming practice. The heavy rains even tested our instructor, Farmer Myles, giving him a flat tire during his commute. A little tire couldn’t stop the power of planting!

We kicked off our AfroIndigenous Rice Cultivation workshop with an introduction of the organizations and defining conservation. Then Sister Raina Turner-Greenlea and Brother Charles Greenlea went over NRCS practices, programs and irrigation. Attendees asked questions on how they could get started with a farm, shared misconceptions about the process of NRCS program enrollment/contracts and inquired about the science of rice planting.

We went into a high tunnel on the property to start two beds of rice and lay irrigation. This was the first time some attendees had removed plants from trays - for others the type of tray - winstrip - was a new discovery. We quickly finished beds inside and proceeded to lay a paper weed barrier down outside. The farmers at G4 are committed to natural, organic practices, down to even avoiding the convenience of landscape 'fabric' which is actually plastic (Landscape fabric is primarily made of synthetic petroleum-based polymers, most commonly woven or spunbond polypropylene and polyester. Some variations may also use recycled plastics or if budget is not a consideration you can use natural, biodegradable materials like linen). At G4, they use untreated brown paper as a weed barrier. This meant we had to creatively punch holes in the paper before transplanting the rice. Charles Greeblea educated attendees on the spacing, infrastructure and irrigation set up.

By this time Brother Miles arrived and so did our plant-based meal of Ayitian/Haitian Black Djon Djon rice, rasta pasta and kale salad! As Sister Ariel set up our meal, Brother Miles (who so generously also grew the red and black rice cultivars) led attendees in the science of rice, irrigation process and historical context of this crop.

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I was glad to see all generations from 11 months to elders gathered on the land and a true reflection of Africa's diaspora with 30 attendees from Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Senegambia, Ghana, Nigeria and the Caribbean. Ironically, the 10 children in attendance were not interested in playing in the muddy puddles as much as the adults who were splashing, laughing, and working in the rainfall. We moved in unison, planting the rice as a collective. The experience was empowering to say the least. 

I was grateful to have my older sister join me on the land. With her presence came healthy sibling competition. Let the games begin! In our rice planting process, we laid a board with holes over the garden bed covered with paper. Then would later punch holes into the paper using a metal rod. My sister saw it as a race. Each time we laid the board down, we quickly raced to see who could punch the holes on their side of the board the fastest. Time after time, I fell short, losing my rhythm and letting my sister take the crown. Fortunately, it didn’t take me long to catch my rhythm and sure enough I was beating my sister row after row. Until the LAST row. The finale. Whoever wins this, is the Rice-Planting-Hole-Puncher-Champion.

We weren’t the only ones invested in this competition. Participants were cheering us on, recording and some even interviewing us as if they were a commentator. On your mark, get set, GO! We both rushed, punching the holes with precision. I smoothly glided through the holes, while my sister fumbled, falling behind. As I approached the last hole, I got a bit too arrogant and really tried to punch the hole as efficiently as possible. That bit me in the butt, because out of nowhere my sister finished the race. I was beat. Our rice planting was complete.

The rain finished its descent and the sun shyly peaked through the clouds. We all stood proudly admiring our hard work of planting two beds of rice. All that hard was rewarded with a tour of the land. The history of G4 is rich with family pride and protection. 

As we walked one of the farm's trails, created by Eco-PARADIGM and past AfroEcology workshop participants, I identified different plant species growing abundantly such as blackberry, muscadines, mullein and even passion fruit! Who knew passion fruit is native to Georgia?!  And its beautiful flowers not only smell amazing, they also are a great medicine for its calming and healing benefits. As we came to the end of the trial, we stopped at an unfinished bridge made out of a cedar tree that was cut on site.

A young child around the age of seven boldly and unapologetically asked one of our instructors, Brother Charles, “Did you ask the cedar tree if it wanted to be cut down?”

The question gave a heavy pause and left us all in awe. It is extraordinary how the ones younger than us see the world in the simplest way. It made me think to myself of our existence in the world as humans. Were we wrong for cutting down trees to build our homes or were we synonymous to the beaver who is created to cut trees to build dams?

After finishing our trek and looking over the rice planting we cultivated as a collective, the answer came to me. Since we humans exist in nature just like the beaver, we are entitled to use the resources to build homes and structures just like the beaver builds the dam. It's a thin line to walk, because if we continue to take more than we need, we now create an imbalance. You don’t see the beaver cutting trees down to the brink of deforestation. They take only what they need and respect what is left, making them a part of the circle of life. For the young curious girl thoughtful enough to speak for the Cedar tree, may you continue to ask these questions, and we shall be open to considering the perspectives of the youth. 

This experience was more than a fun gardening hobby. It was a connection. People I have never met in my life became my brothers and sisters through the power of planting a seed. 

Due Diligence Note: During the spring tree harvesting workshop two of our six harvesters DID ask permission from the trees before harvesting - we cannot confirm if they harvested cedar or pine.

Authors: Anaya Martin & Raina Turner-Greenlea