The Stutzmans are a struggling farming family in Iowa, hoping that one out of their nine children will want to take over the farm and continue the legacy, despite growing difficulties in the industry.

Life in rural Iowa is challenging for young people. Tumara left her small town, where she claims the bars were the only destination for socializing and entertainment, and she would have eventually become an alcoholic or the “town whore”.

A young Iraq War vet spends time drinking and swimming in a lake with his buddies in Iowa before returning to Iraq. He does not believe in the war, but he wants to be with all of his close friends who are also going back.

While young Iowans leave rural life, or are not interested in farm work, Hispanic migrants have been going to Iowa for decades to work in the farms. This has changed the make-up of the community, which is now two thirds Hispanic during peak season.

A country butcher for 50 years, Joe reflects on his hard profession and the right to kill animals. Like many people, he followed on his father’s footsteps, but wages have been declining steadily, and he understands his son not wanting to do the same.

Harry and Helen were an inseparable proud farming couple. Now Harry is very old and on his own, and he knows that when he and the few other independent farmers in his community die, family farming and thier way of life will die with them.