Rice paddies are fields near streams that have low earth dams built around the field's edges. The paddies are flooded with stream water before planting. Rice sprouts about 6 inches high are transplanted into the flooded paddies. Because the roots are underwater the rice plants grow snorkles to provide their roots with air. When the stalkes turn golden yellow the plants are ready for harvest.
Farmers drain the paddies and wait for the fields to dry out.
Later the dried stalks containing the rice seeds are hit or thrashed against a hard surface that causes the seeds to drop free. The grains are packaged into sacks and shipped to factories for shelling. The shelling process removes the hard outside shell of the rice seed before packaging and shipping to stores.