Which crop is NOT part of the Haudenosaunee Three Sisters?

• A. Rice
• B. Beans
• C. Corn
• D. Squash

Answer: (A)

The Three Sisters farming approach is a coordinated planting system where three crops are grown together to support each other: corn, beans, and squash. Corn provides a tall structure for beans to climb, beans fix nitrogen in the soil to nourish nearby plants, and squash covers the ground to suppress weeds and retain moisture. This interdependent setup reflects how Haudenosaunee communities arranged crops to maximize space, soil health, and yield in their northeastern homeland.

Rice doesn’t fit this trio. It comes from agricultural systems that use flooded paddies and different environmental conditions, which aren’t part of the Haudenosaunee Three Sisters practice. So rice isn’t considered one of the Three Sisters.