2022 Barbara Petit Pollinator Award Winner Robby Astrove

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 may depend on is I’ll nonetheless be planting. I joked with a good friend the opposite day that if ever I cease planting, they need to come and shake me, one thing is flawed.

As for the long run Georgia meals system, I undoubtedly hope we’ve a unique meals system than we do in the present day. I need to see farmers and growers extra revered, however not solely that, higher cared for, each from inside and out of doors our trade. They have to be seen and revered extra as mission essential members of our society.

I additionally hope that customers’ selections change. And ultimately, after all, 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 quite a lot of time in search of out elders, mentors; I hope I generally is a mentor, it doesn’t matter what age people are, I need to make sure that we’re all carrying the torch ahead.

You shared in your awards video that Barbara Petit (see under), after whom this award is called, was instrumental in what you’re doing in the present day. What are some things/classes you realized from her?

My recollections of working together with her had been actually about witnessing her management and the way she introduced folks collectively…She was somebody with imaginative and prescient and unbelievable drive. I’ve a lot love and respect for her. She is basically who gave me the blessing, the top nod, to start out the orchard challenge, 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 concerning the Barbara Petit Pollinator Award, click on under.