Not everything should be grown hydroponically, suggests Ryan Eddinger. His water-grown lettuces are a sure exception, and his top chef customers are grateful for their taste.

Nate O’Neil is a 40-something farmer who grows 70-odd crops, some of which with dry-growing techniques.

This former New York City social studies teacher established a half-acre learning farm in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward.

Before buying a farm and raising her own meat animals, Courtney was a butcher.

She changed her path from policy to planting.

This former surf bum grew up romping through his uncle’s vineyard, and now has a wine label to call his own.

Meet Jamila Norman, who shows kids what cool things come out of the ground in her farm-based after school program at Patchwork City Farms.

“Climbing ladders with two 20-pound bags of apples is better than any gym,” says the 71-year-old.

Meet John Huschle, a farmer from Carnation, Washington.