In 1718, a man from Arkansas went to Louisiana and brought rice back to Arkansas. Growing rice is much different from the traditional corn, soybeans and wheat grown in much of the country. Clow said that it takes 65 million gallons of water to water 100 acres of rice, or 650,000 gallons per acre. The rice is flooded once they have drilled it and is about three to four inches high. They must apply the water at intervals as it matures.
Levies built in the fields allow the water to remain in the fields.
They plant rice around the first or second week in April and harvest the last of August or the first of September. Some farming equipment and murals on the history of rice are on display at the museum. For a novice on rice, the history is fascinating. Clow said that rice used to be about five or six feet tall. However, they have developed new strands that don't grow so high and get lodged so easily in the combine.