Ezera Butler, 10, plays basketball outside his home in Milan. Butler’s mother Deedee Heart moved her entire family to Milan from Kansas City in order to work at the Smithfield Foods plant. Many families from all reaches of the globe have settled in Milan to seek better opportunities.
A Bred Heifer auction partially organized by Jim Brinkley of Brinkley Angus Ranch at Green City Livestock Marketing in nearby Green City. Prior to Smithfield Plant opening in the 1990s, a farming and ranching recession in the 80s hit the rural community in northern Missouri, forcing generational farms around Milan to foreclose. Brinkley, a Milan native, was one of the few who grew his business during that time.
Jenny Bahena wipes the tears of her mother Irma Bahena before they depart for Jennys prom parade on April 30, 2022, in Milan, Mo. Irma became emotional when thinking of her husband and Jennys father, who died from complications of COVID-19 over a year ago. She said she wished that he was there to see Jenny go to prom.
Mario Castaneda looks over to his younger sister and her friend as he helps run the family restaurant in downtown Milan. Castaneda, an upperclassman at Truman State University, wants to someday move away from Milan and coach professional soccer.
Jose Torres lifts up his shirt with the help of his wife Veronica Torres to show off a new tattoo to friends at the Smithfield soccer fields on May 15, 2022, in Milan, Mo. Torres got the tattoo to remind himself to have the strength to rise and get better after a depressive episode in 2016.
Milan high school student Anthony Portillo gives a haircut to client and friend Cesar Kadiata in Portillo’s home. Even though Portillo had no experience cutting hair, he stepped up to be the new town barber after the only barber who gave trendy haircuts for the youth left for Kansas City 7 months ago. But like the previous barber and his cousin Mario Castaneda, Portillo has aspirations to move away from Milan after he graduates high school.
Milan High School student Jarrett Moody, left, and Milan alum Chekh Niasse playfully argue as Carlos Cotto watches on at their high school. According to Missouri census data, Milan is ranked 2 on the Diversity Index when compared to more than 1000 incorporated cities, towns and census designated places in Missouri.
The Milan Wildcats boys basketball team listens to head coach Andrea Dabney during halftime. Some players said they have experienced racism from residents of other nearby towns, inside and outside of sports.
Empty hog trailers line up behind an American flag at the Smithfield Plant. An COVID-19 outbreak at the plant two years ago attributed to the death of at least two workers.
Felipe Rivera adjusts his eyes after a local soccer game at the Smithfield soccer fields on May 15, 2022, in Milan, Mo. Rivera has worked at the meat processing and packaging plant for two years.
An icon of Saint Mary in the basement of Saint Mary Catholic Parish during an after-service luncheon in Milan. The parish plans to build a new worship gathering space in the coming years to accommodate the growing Catholic population.
Residents of Milan flock to the streets near the town square to watch the Christmas parade. Events organized by the municipality and school district are responsible for most of the formal gatherings in the town.
Milan residents wait in line to see Santa after the town’s Christmas parade. The small, Missouri town continues to attract people from all corners of the world seeking better employment opportunities.