Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of harvesting tobacco and system for bulk handling whole leaf flue cured tobacco between field harvesting and curing and drying operations. In the method of harvesting tobacco, tobacco leaves are defoliated from tobacco stalks and conveyed therefrom to an area of discharge where the leaves are discharged and directed in random alignment into an open top bulk tobacco support unit such that the randomly aligned leaves are generally uniformly distributed within a bulk support unit and the tobacco leaves are generally disposed in horizontal planes with the individual leaves being disposed in overlying relationship. After the bulk support unit has been filled to a predetermined level, a plurality of elongated members are inserted through the bulk support unit in directions generally perpendicularly to the planes of the tobacco leaves. Thereafter, the filled bulk support unit is rotated approximately 90.degree.