The place will Robby Astrove be in 10 years? And what’s your hope for a future Atlanta and Georgia meals system?
I don’t have a crystal ball, however one factor you’ll be able to depend on is I’ll nonetheless be planting. I joked with a buddy the opposite day that if ever I cease planting, they need to come and shake me, one thing is improper.
As for the long run Georgia meals system, I undoubtedly hope we have now a unique meals system than we do at the moment. I need to see farmers and growers extra revered, however not solely that, higher cared for, each from inside and outdoors our trade. They have to be seen and revered extra as mission vital members of our society.
I additionally hope that buyers’ selections change. And ultimately, in fact, coverage.
How does your present work feed into this future imaginative and prescient?
I see my function as multipronged. I’m an educator, a connector—a cross-pollinator, like this award—and I lastly really feel like I carry some affect on this motion, like folks can take heed to me. That is additionally the place mentorship is available in. I’ve spent plenty of time in search of out elders, mentors; I hope I is usually a mentor, it doesn’t matter what age of us are, I need to be certain that we’re all carrying the torch ahead.
You shared in your awards video that Barbara Petit (see beneath), after whom this award is called, was instrumental in what you’re doing at the moment. What are some things/classes you realized from her?
My reminiscences of working along with her have been actually about witnessing her management and the way she introduced folks collectively…She was somebody with imaginative and prescient and unimaginable drive. I’ve a lot love and respect for her. She is actually who gave me the blessing, the pinnacle nod, to begin the orchard venture, and I used to be right down to do it.
It was Barbara who immediately instructed me: ‘don’t cease planting.’ And that’s my plan.
To listen to extra from Robby and be taught extra in regards to the Barbara Petit Pollinator Award, click on beneath.
