Breaking Ground

Alex Park

Alex did the research and writing for all of the Breaking Ground stories. Before coming on as Orb's first staff journalist, he wrote for the American investigative journalism outlet Mother Jones, covering global agriculture and the Ebola crisis in West Africa. Additionally, his research and writing has been published by PBS/MediaShift, New America Media, allAfrica.com, The Believer, Time.com, Grist, and The European Centre for Development Program Management.

Sam Rolens

Sam Rolens is a storyteller who works in print, audio and video to make dense things easier to consume, and to expose the appeal and importance of deceptively dull things. He is a graduate of the UC Berkeley School of Journalism and continues to work across various channels of communication.

Natasha Young

Natasha Young is Orb's communications manager and a constant presence in the editorial side of the business. Before coming to Orb, she taught English in South Korea, conducted research in Puerto Rico, and got a masters in public administration with a focus in international development from Rutgers University in New Jersey. She provided essential logistical support, from co-producing in Montana, to managing a network of reporters around the world.

Tom Philpott

Tom Philpott is a food and agriculture correspondent for Mother Jones, where he writes a regular blog called "Food for Thought" as well as contributing features and editorials to the bi-monthly magazine. He was a cofounder in 2004 of Maverick Farms, a small organic vegetable farm and center for sustainable food education in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, where he serves on the board. Tom has worked as a journalist in Austin, Mexico City and New York City. He is currently based in Austin, Texas. Tom helped in shaping the Breaking Ground series, and provided story reviews and edits.

Pierre Kattar

Pierre is an Emmy Award-winning video journalist and documentary filmmaker. He developed his observational style of filmmaking during his ten years at The Washington Post's website where he reported, shot, edited, wrote and produced news and feature video stories, including Orb's "Excess Baggage". His clients include Frontline, The New York Times, Al Jazeera, the NewsHour, AARP and National Geographic. He edited the videos for Part Two and Three of "Breaking Ground". His work can be seen here: http://www.pierrekattar.com.