How saving the earth saved my sanity -- and fed my soul.

With their ''guerrilla'' tactics, black organic farmers are taking Malcolm X's mandate of ''by any means necessary'' and turning it green. It is time, they say, to change an unhealthy paradigm.

The green economy presents a wealth of opportunity. Will you be able to take advantage of it? Check out our tips and features so you'll know why green may be the new black.

For Earth Day, The Root is going deep on the ties between black people and the earth. We dig in to everything from Michelle Obama's potential impact on farming to how to plant gardens on housing project rooftops to creating green jobs in black neighborhoods. Guest writers Majora Carter, Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins and Sen. John Kerry weigh in on the green movement's need to go brown. And we shine a spotlight on 10 community organizers -- The Root's Green Collar Heroes -- who are making a difference at the grassroots, literally. Plus, for those of you who think it's not easy being green, we offer seven easy tips to help you get started.

So plow into our entire Earth Day package. Once you go black and green, you'll never go back!