Farmers across the country are switching to sustainable practices, and the NRDC will recognize their dedication with the second annual Growing Green Awards . A panel of expert judges that included food author Michael Pollan and A.G. Kawamura, California's secretary of agriculture, chose the winners .
The awards honor achievements in several categories, but the grand prize went to Russ Lester, the owner of Dixon Ridge Farms , a walnut plantation, for his plan to make the farm energy self-sufficient by 2012, among other accomplishments .
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, consider attending the Growing Green awards ceremony , which will be held later this month at a local jazz club. Need some incentive? Michael Pollan will be there!
Speaking of sustainable food (rather, coffee - we know how much you like your coffee ), though they're not one of the NRDC's honorees, the Smithsonian Museums recently switched to serving coffee that's organic, fair-trade, bird-friendly, and shade-grown. Coffee doesn't get much eco-friendlier than that. It's a big deal considering how much coffee they serve each month - around 50,000 cups. The Bird Friendly label is the Smithsonian's favorite part of the deal: Their Migratory Bird Center certifies the beverage .
The awards honor achievements in several categories, but the grand prize went to Russ Lester, the owner of Dixon Ridge Farms , a walnut plantation, for his plan to make the farm energy self-sufficient by 2012, among other accomplishments .
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, consider attending the Growing Green awards ceremony , which will be held later this month at a local jazz club. Need some incentive? Michael Pollan will be there!Speaking of sustainable food (rather, coffee - we know how much you like your coffee ), though they're not one of the NRDC's honorees, the Smithsonian Museums recently switched to serving coffee that's organic, fair-trade, bird-friendly, and shade-grown. Coffee doesn't get much eco-friendlier than that. It's a big deal considering how much coffee they serve each month - around 50,000 cups. The Bird Friendly label is the Smithsonian's favorite part of the deal: Their Migratory Bird Center certifies the beverage .
--Sophie Matson