NATURALLY AWAKENINGS CHICAGO l Our monthly column highlights the transitional summer-fall season and four outstanding events by leading non-profits coming up soon...

FARMERS MARKETS l Local Food Forum is all about markets, but my visit to Chicago's Independence Park Market was a first. Thumbs up to this nice twice a month place..

URBAN FARMING l The vegetables grown on Just Roots urban farm in Chicago are beautiful in their own right. So are bees and butterflies doing their pollinator thing.

PRODUCE l An farmer friend regularly sends watermelons of immense size, but she truly outdid herself with this 32.3-pound Giant. Also, meet the Barbarella eggplant

HOME GARDENING l Aquager is a Chicago startup turning home counters and living rooms into produce aisles — with hydroponic farms designed as beautiful furniture...

URBAN FARMING l Bob Heuer is an advocate for strong local food ecosystems. His contributed article describes efforts to build an urban agriculture plan for Chicago

FARMERS MARKETS l The Ravinia Farmers Market manager's dream of a combo market and concert at the nearby festival venue came to fruition, & the evening was a success

FARMERS MARKETS l Peak summer produce season is awesome, but the transition between summer and fall is like a taste of both seasons. No sour grapes, for sure...

LOCAL FOOD NEWS l Local Food Forum and Natural Awakenings Chicago are collaborating on a feature, Local Food Dispatch, which highlights regional event and food info

WATERMELON l The legend of the Sword in the Watermelon began with the first delivery of a fruit of immense size. Tackling a 22-lb. melon isn't pretty but it is tasty