James D. Woods Jr. most know as Des Woods. He is a lifelong
rice farmer who grew up on the very land he still works today. Dez Woods has farmed rice for over 60 years. After getting married, he left home to serve in the Army. During his service, his father visited and said, “Son, I’d like you to come home and share a crop with me.”

He knew how hard rice farming could be, and he wasn’t sure about returning. But his father showed him a small sheet he had worked up and said, “I think you can make about $10,000 a year.” He told his wife, “That’s more than a colonel makes,” and together they decided to come home and give farming a try.

They did—and they never left.

Rice farming has been good to him, and he considers himself blessed. Today, he’s more excited than ever about the future. He’s proud to be part of the field-to-table journey and especially proud to
support Honestly Texas, a brand that tells the true story of where rice comes from. Some of that rice will come directly from his farm.

Sixty one crops behind him, and he’s already looking forward to the next one.

This Long Grain White and Brown Rice was planted on April 08, 2025, and harvested on July 21, 2025. It was grown on the Hlavinka Field located off Highway 90 between Brookshire and Katy, Texas. Coordinates: 29.792802,
-95.918487. The photo above shows the field map and exact location.

Brief directions: Hlavinka Field is located east of Brookshire, Texas, along Highway 90. From Brookshire, travel east on Hwy 90; just past Woods Road, the field
sits on the left-hand side, on the east side of Hwy 90 near coordinates 29.792802, -95.918487.

Why We Share These Stories

We want our customers to understand exactly where this rice comes from and who grows it.

This isn’t anonymous grain.

It’s Texas-grown, Texas-milled, and Texas-proud.

It’s the result of men and women like Mr. Woods people who
started with nothing but a dream, and a work ethic strong enough to build a
life from the ground up.

Rice Processing: Brown Rice and White Rice

Brown rice and white rice can come from the same rice field.
After rice is harvested, the outer hull is removed from the rough rice. What
remains is brown rice, which still has the bran layer and germ.