FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
John Rockhold, managing editor, 785-274-4420, jrockhold@motherearthnews.com
Brandy Ernzen, brand manager: 785-274-4304, bernzen@ogdenpubs.com

Rock Port makes “Great Places You’ve (Maybe) Never Heard Of” list
National magazine honors the community’s wind energy investment

TOPEKA, Kan. (Sept. 21, 2009) — The renewable winds of change are blowing in Rock Port, Mo., garnering the town a spot on Mother Earth News’ fourth annual “Great Places You’ve (Maybe) Never Heard Of” list. Mother Earth News, the leading magazine dedicated to sustainable living, features 11 selected communities in its October-November issue, on sale Sept. 22.

The magazine cites Rock Port’s unique wind energy partnership between the city, John Deere and private entrepreneurs as a reason to spotlight this Midwestern town of 1,395. Currently, Rock Port’s wind turbines provide approximately 125 percent of the city’s power needs.

“Rock Port shows how public and private interests can come together to make a difference,” says John Rockhold, managing editor for the magazine. “Mother Earth News focuses on cool things you can do to live wisely and create community, and we think our readers will identify with a place like Rock Port.”

The annual Great Places list serves as a fun way to recognize cities and towns that combine elements such as comfortable climate with positive civic energy, investment in the local economy and meaningful initiatives for the environment. And, yes, the editors know that some people have heard of these locales.

Other cities making this year’s list are Mountain View, Ark.; Oakland, Calif.; Cornwall, Conn.; Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Carbondale, Ill.; Lanesboro, Minn.; Sylva, N.C.; Silver City, N.M.; Norman, Okla.; and Walla Walla, Wash.

About Mother Earth News
Published by Ogden Publications, Mother Earth News (www.MotherEarthNews.com) is the oldest and most widely distributed magazine dedicated to sustainable lifestyles. Since its launch in 1970, the brand has been a trusted guide to sustainable lifestyles. Today it enjoys the highest print circulation in its category with at least 475,000 paid copies. Each bimonthly issue of Mother Earth News features practical and money-saving information on organic gardening; fun, do-it-yourself projects; cutting energy costs; using renewable energy sources; green home building and remodeling; rural living; and conscientious, self-sufficient lifestyles. Mother Earth News offers free syndicated content, RSS feeds and topic-specific e-newsletters for journalists and consumers.

About Ogden Publications
Ogden Publications Inc. (www.OgdenPubs.com) is the leading media company and information resource serving the sustainable living community. Key brands include Mother Earth News, Natural Home, Utne Reader, The Herb Companion and Grit. Ogden Publications also serves niche markets with magazines and books targeting rural lifestyle, farm memorabilia and classic motorcycle communities, and provides insurance and financial services through its Capper’s Insurance Service division. The Topeka, Kan.-based company is privately held.

# # #