USA: Winners of the 2011 "Growing Green Awards"

Fair labor practices in the organic berry industry, environmentally-responsible biopesticides, a new crop of young sustainable farming stewards in the Midwest, and a lunch food revolution in schools – these are the winning innovations receiving recognition by the Natural Resources Defense Council’s third annual Growing Green Awards.

2011 Food Producer winner: Jim Cochran, founder and co-owner of Swanton Berry Farm, who started the first commercially successful organic strawberry operation in California and the first 100 % unionized organic farm in the USA. Jim not only helped jumpstart the organic strawberry industry, but is also encouraging fair labor practices among sustainable growers.

2011 Young Food Leader winner: Molly Rockamann, who is founder of the non-profit organization EarthDance Farms, won for her efforts to cultivate a new generation of sustainable farming stewards in the Midwest of the USA. Through Molly’s apprenticeship program, urban St. Louis residents -- with ages spanning five decades -- learn the complete cycle of organic farming from seed to market. (Picture by The Compound: Molly Rockamann)

2011 Knowledge Leader winner: Chef Ann Cooper, who is an outstanding leader in the national movement to ensure that all children have access to nutritious food at school. Known as the “Renegade Lunch Lady,” Ann started the Food Family Farming Foundation, which provides schools with the tools and guidance they need to transition from over-processed meals to healthy, fresh ingredients on a limited budget. (Picture by www.chefann.com: Anne Cooper with kids)

2011 Business Leader winner: Pam Marrone, who is the CEO and founder of Marrone Bio Innovations, a leading developer of environmentally-responsible biopesticides. Having launched three successful companies, Pam has created a strong business model in a rapidly growing industry.
 

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 1.3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, their lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Livingston, Montana, and Beijing.

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