2024 Barbara Petit Pollinator Award Winner Cashawn Myers — The Dirt

And in the spirit of a true Pollinator, Cashawn’s impact is not only limited to the United States: “Over the past 20 years, during my travels to Ghana, West Africa, we have developed relationships with various communities. In one particular community, we decided to establish more than just a visitor relationship—we set down roots. As a result, we built the Kweku Andoh Sustainability Institute.” 

Located in West Africa, the KASI institute is 100% off the grid and continues their work in agriculture while incorporating all aspects of sustainability. It specifically focuses on people of African ancestry and their healing from historical and systemic negative effects. We have planted 500 fruit trees and constructed natural buildings using bamboo, making the entire campus fully sustainable. Their goal is to create a zero-waste campus where we conduct training in solar technology, plant-based cuisine, eco-building, bamboo construction, water works and irrigation, organic agriculture, and medicinal herbs. 

The institute represents the culmination of 20 years of HABESHA’s programs, events, and initiatives. Their 2022 inauguration marked the 20th anniversary of the organization’s formation, and in Cashawn’s word, “Stands as our shining star, our capstone achievement, bringing together all our efforts and aligning with our long-term vision.”