Prairie Crossing featured on PBS show, Growing a Greener World

The Prairie Crossing conservation community and Prairie Crossing Farm in Grayslake will be featured on an episode of Growing a Greener World that airs on Sun., Sept. 7, at 10 a.m. on WTTW Create/World. This episode is airing nationwide on PBS stations, and can also streamed on the Growing a Greener World website, http://www.growingagreenerworld.com/new-green-communities/.

Growing a Greener World is an award-winning TV show appearing on national Public Television that features organic gardening, green living and farm-to-table cooking. Each episode focuses on compelling and inspirational people making a positive impact on the planet. Currently in its fifth season, this gardening series covers everything from edible gardening, urban homesteading and hobby farming to seasonal cooking, canning and preserving the harvest.

Prairie Crossing is a nationally recognized master-planned conservation community in Grayslake, and one of the first modern developments in the country planned with a working organic farm. The 100-acre Prairie Crossing Farm is owned by the Liberty Prairie Foundation, which operates a variety of on-site programs including a Farm Business Development Center for beginning farmers, the Prairie Farm Corps youth development program, and educational events.

Multiple independent farm businesses are located at the Prairie Crossing Farm, growing certified organic produce for customers throughout the Chicago region. Sandhill Family Farms is there for the long-term while others "incubate" through the Farm Business Development Center, including Marigold Hill Organics, Midnight Sun Farm, Radical Root Farm, and Yaw-Ye Farms.

The Growing a Greener World episode features scenic vistas of the community, organic farm, and award-winning Prairie Crossing Charter School; inspiring interviews with organic farmers, area youth, and key leaders; plus a glimpse of several environmental features of Prairie Crossing and organic farm operations at the Prairie Crossing Farm.

Liberty Prairie Foundation President and CEO Brad Leibov said he is encouraged by the growing interest in sustainable local food systems, and livable communities.

"We are gratified that the Growing a Greener World producers invited us to share our story with a national audience," he said. "George and Vicky Ranney, the visionaries and developers of Prairie Crossing, have inspired similar conservation-minded communities across the United States, through the success of Prairie Crossing. Local food farms provide residents with healthy food while providing improved land health and economic benefits for the entire community."

For more information about the Prairie Crossing Farm and Liberty Prairie Foundation, visit www.libertyprairie.org.