Unconcerned by the tractor, a small herd of deer help themselves to the alfalfa. It is obvious from the animals' disregard for the machine, that they consider these fields to be their own. Closely tied to the land, he values the wildlife that make this farm into their home. On this perfect August evening, it is easy to see why Flowers continued the family tradition. His ranch wraps around a small butte dotted with juniper, sage, and volcanic rocks.
Cattails line the small irrigation ponds which double as refuge for ducks, cranes, and egrets.
It is a piece of land he would never trade. Flowers hopes his son will take over the ranch when he is ready to retire just as he and his father both did. While he knows the sense of satisfaction and pride his son would inherit, Flowers also knows the stresses and pitfalls inherent in his way of life. Competition from Canada and other countries keeps grain prices hovering at the break even point. To make matters worse, in mid-July evening temperatures dipped below freezing and damaged his grain crop.