Urban farmers are now tending 400 community gardens on lots around the metro. Urban farming has gotten so popular that many cities, including St. Paul, are scrambling to regulate the plots. Commercial gardeners fret that new rules could bury their businesses.

"Under the new rules, at least 60 percent of farmers market vendors will have to be actual farmers, selling the produce they’ve grown," says Minneapolis City Council Member Cam Gordon.

Minneapolis' Atomic Data is getting props from a group that recognizes successful inner-city companies. The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City - started by a Harvard business professor 18 years ago - named Atomic one of the nation's fastest-growing urban businesses.

State law allows farmers to only sell raw milk at their farms. State officials say Alvin Schlangen sold raw milk at a warehouse in Minneapolis. He's also faces charges for selling unlabeled or misbranded products.

The growth period ahead for urban areas such as the Twin Cities will be staggering, adding more stress to an already sagging infrastructure. Only those cities that value technology, and recognize that each metropolis is a living, interconnected system will survive and thrive.

The Capitol Farmers Market debuts Friday, June 29, south of the State Capitol building. About 30 vendors will feature locally grown produce, meats, flowers and other products. The market will be open every Friday through September 28.

The Pioneer Press reports the median net farm income was up one percent to hit a record $123,000 last year. Crop farmers were "still very profitable," but saw a slight decrease despite record-high crop prices. The dairy sector as well as hog and beef producers all saw improvements, according to the annual report released Wednesday.

The coming together of people in a city drives industry growth, creating jobs and reducing poverty. But there can be a dark side: sprawling slums, energy hogs and the production of 70 percent of green house gas emissions.