Investigates a fundamental dilemma facing farmers throughout the world, how to feed the Earth's growing population without endangering the environment. Zimbabwe: Affected by climate change and the vestiges of colonial rule, small scale farmers on marginal lands struggle to survive a drought. France: The remote mountain villages of central France suffer the loss of farmers fleeing to places like Brittany where intensive agriculture has polluted the water and affected local fisheries. China: An agricultural revolution has enabled farmers to feed the world's most populous nation but an industrial boom is rapidly displacing agricultural land, forcing farmers to work the soil more intensively, threatening environmental damage. United States; In Iowa, farmers use high technology to dramatically increase yields, while, in Pennsylvania, no-till farming preserves some of the richest topsoil in the world.

CIRC # 401\\Originally broadcast as an episode of Journey to planet Eart on PBS in 2009. Special features: Abridged version (25 min.); Educators' guides (DVD-ROM). Public performance video.

Zimbabwe -- France -- China -- United States.