NRDC’s 2011 Leaders In Food & Farms
April 28, 2011 Roots of ChangeThe Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) will honor the winners of the 2011 “Growing Green Awards” tonight in a special ceremony. This year’s winners include some the nation’s leading farmers, entrepreneurs, and social activists. The winners were selected from hundreds of nominees nationwide by an independent panel of sustainable food experts, including Michael Pollan, New York Times best-selling author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Maria Rodale, Chairman and CEO of Rodale Inc., Dan Barber, executive chef and co-owner of Blue Hill Restaurant in New York, and Dr. Tom Tomich, Director of the Agricultural Sustainability Institute at the University of California, Davis. ROC is honored to help share the stories of these leading pioneers working in communities throughout the country on everything from fair labor rights to healthy school lunches. We encourage YOU to learn more about their work and stories by visiting OnEarth.
Congratulations to the following leaders and innovators in the sustainable food and agriculture industries for their extraordinary work.
2011 Food Producer
“Don’t give up even if you feel like your running/living on fumes.”
Jim Cochran, founder and co-owner of Swanton Berry Farm (as well as former ROC Stewardship Council member), is being recognized for successfully launching the first commercial organic strawberry operation in California and implementing fair labor practices.
2011 Young Food Leader
“If something’s not hard then it’s not worth doing.”
Molly Rockamann, founder of EarthDance Farms, is being recognized for her work to encourage beginning and new farmers in the Midwest to become stewards of the land through her unique apprenticeship program.
2011 Knowledge Leader
“There are a lot of barriers but one person really does make a difference.”
Ann Cooper, Chef and founder of Food and Family Foundation, is being recognized for her work to change school lunches across the country by ensuring that every child receives healthy and delicious food.
2011 Business Leader
“This is an exciting time to be farming organically because it’s commercially viable.”
Pam Marrone, CEO and founder of Marrone Bio Innovations, is being recognized for her work to help develop and promote environmentally responsible bio-pesticide alternatives.
For more information please visit NRDC’s Growing Green Awards
