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ROC and ROC Projects in the News

ROC in print and on radio, TV, and the web.

Bumper crop of customers at new farmers market site

September 24, 2011 Roots of Change

There's just something wonderful about farmers markets, said Sersland, who sells fruit and vegetables grown at Dave Lewis Farms, six miles west of town. "You get the healthy lifestyle from eating fresh produce," she said. "And you keep the dollars local."

High Costs Make It Harder To Grow Young Farmers

September 23, 2011 Roots of Change

In farm country, business is still booming. Commodity prices remain high, and investors are funneling millions of dollars into buying farmland, making it quite enticing for the would-be farmer who wants to leave the rat race.

Illinois’ Solution To Hunger? Asian Carp

September 22, 2011 Roots of Change

Illinois officials hope serving the invasive species on a plate is the creative solution to two big problems: controlling the plankton-gobbling carp from entering the Great Lakes and record numbers of people facing hunger.

Chicago Urban Farming: City Council Approves New Ordinance

September 9, 2011 Roots of Change

The Chicago City Council approved a zoning code amendment allowing for more widespread urban agriculture Thursday.

USDA Launches Online Food Hub Resource

July 15, 2011 Roots of Change

The new online food hub resource, part of the Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS) website, contains the USDA’s latest findings, funding opportunities, a list of operational food hubs, and a library of other relevant resources, articles and materials about food hub development.

A Way to Save America’s Bees: Buy Free-Range Beef

July 14, 2011 Roots of Change

As the insects that pollinate our crops disappear, a team of scientists has learned that they thrive on land grazed by cattle

First Steps to Local

July 11, 2011 Roots of Change

“What advice do you have for someone who would like to incorporate more local foods into his or her diet but isn’t sure where to begin?”

Next Generation Farmer: Ana Catal‡n

July 6, 2011 Roots of Change

Ana Catalán is applying her skills learned at the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) to run a successful organic farm. Learn more about her story.

Pilot program helps cooks develop business plan

June 20, 2011 Roots of Change

Urban Solutions, a nonprofit economic development organization, and La Cocina, a group specializing in culinary entrepreneurship for low-income communities, have teamed up to take 35 students, including McPherson, under their collective wing.

Turning the Farm Bill into the Food Bill

June 17, 2011 Roots of Change

Most people eat mainly processed food as a result of the billions of subsidy dollars diverted to industrial agriculture and the cheap food that is produced by it. The next Farm Bill is our best shot at fixing these flaws in our food system.