What does asparagus—also known as “green gold”—have in common with skunks and rotten eggs? In this film you’ll learn everything you always wanted to know about these vegetable spears, and then some. But the story of asparagus farming in Oceana County, Michigan, is more than just a whimsical take on droll Americana. This film uses interviews, observation, home movies, and archival footage to chronicle the way the town of Shelby built its identity and livelihood around asparagus, beginning with the somewhat boastful claim made in 1975 that Oceana County was the asparagus capital of the world. From the annual crowning of Mrs. Asparagus to the asparagus parade, the community comes together to celebrate a way of life that has increasingly come under threat from an unlikely source. During the 1990s, international treaties and the U.S. War on Drugs bolstered the rival asparagus farming industry in Peru. This subtle but powerful film unveils intricate connections among community identity, family farming, national politics, and international trade, while at the same time revealing the aplomb and good cheer of these indomitable, spear-struck Michiganders.  MP