The answer is: Winnowing barley

Ruth 3:2

In the ancient world, the threshing floor was much more than just a place to separate grain from chaff; it was a social hub for the community. Picture a wide, flat area where grain harvested from the fields would be laboriously ground to produce the day’s bread. It often came alive with the sounds of laughter, conversation, and the crunch of busy feet, as the community gathered for a common purpose. Boaz, in this case, was winnowing barley, tossing the harvested barley into the air so the wind could blow away the unwanted chaff. It was a parable in action: separating the valuable from the worthless—a theme that resonates deeply throughout the Bible.

Interestingly, Boaz's activity was taking place late at night—a detail that throws a spotlight on both the working culture and the personal dynamics between him and Ruth. Worked into the culture was a layer of personal relationships. In Ruth’s case, her bold decision to find Boaz at the threshing floor marks her as a courageous figure stepping beyond societal norms for the sake of securing her future.

Did you know that in ancient Israel, "sowing and reaping" became symbolic of divine principles? It contrasts human effort with the eventual providence of a higher power, reminding us that while we lay groundwork (figuratively and literally), it’s often beyond our visibility how things will unfold—a little echo of faith nestled right in the barley wisps!