2022 Barbara Petit Pollinator Award Winner Robby Astrove  — The Dust

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 improper. 

As for the longer term Georgia meals system, I positively hope now we have a unique meals system than we do right this moment. I wish to see farmers and growers extra revered, however not solely that, higher cared for, each from inside and out of doors our business. They have to be seen and revered extra as mission important members of our society. 

I additionally hope that customers’ decisions change. And finally, after all, coverage. 

How does your present work feed into this future imaginative and prescient?  

I see my position 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 hearken to me. That is additionally the place mentorship is available in. I’ve spent loads of time searching for out elders, mentors; I hope I could be a mentor, it doesn’t matter what age of us are, I wish to be sure we’re all carrying the torch ahead. 

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

My recollections of working together with her have 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 admittedly who gave me the blessing, the top nod, to begin the orchard venture, and I used to be right down to do it. 

It was Barbara who immediately informed me: ‘don’t cease planting.’ And that’s my plan. 

To listen to extra from Robby and study extra concerning the Barbara Petit Pollinator Award, click on under.