On Manhattan Island's west side next to the Hudson River, Countryside was created to compare a pristine natural rural Kansas landscape with the ultra urban New York environment.

On property under development by the Trump Organization, the image was created with the help of locals including homeless men who helped themselves to the squash, cucumbers and melons planted in the design. This was the first of Herd's works that could be viewed from surrounding buildings.

It is also the most expensive and complicated work to date requiring 150 tons of topsoil, hundreds of hours, and over thirty round trip flights to the site. The final photographs were made at the last possible opportunity with winter bearing down on the work's more delicate plantings.

This earthwork was financed with the help of Michele Roux of Carillon Importers, Pines International of Lawrence, Kansas, and with the support of the Trump Organization.