For the fifth year in a row, the Natural Resources Defense Council is searching nationwide for exciting leaders who are making our food system healthier for us, more sustainable for the planet, and more equitable for food workers.

"Fresh and Fair from Florida"... Five words that would look so beautiful stamped on your next tomato purchase. Five words that would signify a revolution in agricultural working conditions.

The journey from seed-to-cafeteria tray is long and complex. My role is to shepherd the process from start to finish, and help local schools actionably transform the quality of their food.

Let's start by taking a look at the root of the problem. Production agriculture today is one of man imposing his will on nature.

Food and agriculture must be a large focus of the environmental movement. Indeed, one could say we could eat our way through major threats by eating food that is grown with respect to nature.

Our food system sits on the shoulders of hundreds of thousands of farmers in their 60s and 70s who are on the cusp of retirement. When they turn in their tractors, who will replace them?

During World War II, Americans planted over 20 million victory gardens, producing 8 million tons of food. With a 21st century revolution in urban farming, the victory garden may be making a comeback

Accepting defeat, one California farmer gave the gophers invading his farm the gold: free range of his blueberry crop. And then an unexpected and quite amazing thing happened.

The NRDC's Growing Green Awards recognize extraordinary contributions to the field of sustainable food by food producers, entrepreneurs, and young food advocates who are shaping the future of food in our country.