Sashti Balasundaram Kicks Off 10th Annual NYS Organics Summit in Buffalo, NY
At the 10th Annual NYS Organics Summit held last week April 16th and 17th, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency in Buffalo, NY, over 200 individuals convened with a shared goal: to advance community well-being through organics recycling and, ultimately, the enhancement of soil health. Dr. Nick Henyhue from the University at Buffalo set the tone that "Every ecosystem starts with soil," emphasizing the fundamental importance of soil health.
The Summit commenced with opening remarks by Sashti Balasundaram, Founder & CEO of WeRadiate, a seasoned attendee of the event. Sashti underscored the intersection of environmental stewardship and community well-being, highlighting the imperative of addressing food apartheid in disadvantaged communities—a theme that resonated throughout the summit.
Sashti moderated a panel discussion titled “Let’s Go Buffalo! Showcasing the Queen City’s Advancements in Food Scraps Diversion and Composting,” featuring industry leaders such as Myles Stubblefield (BFLO Worm Works), Bridget Houck (City of Buffalo), Terra Dumas (Farmer Pirates Compost), and Bobbie Armstrong (NOCO Energy Corp.). Panelists emphasized the importance of healthy soil, public perception shifts around food waste, and collaborative efforts to drive change.
Bridget shared insights from her experience launching the "Scrap It!" residential food scraps program, bringing forward the challenges and successes of diverting food waste from landfills. Terra Dumas of Farmer Pirates Composting discussed the importance of partnerships, while Bobbie Armstrong stressed the value of collaboration in driving impactful programs.
Throughout the summit, attendees engaged in discussions and exhibition sessions, fostering connections and sharing insights. WeRadiate, as one of the exhibitors, showcased its technology and advisory services, contributing to the exchange of ideas within the organics community.
Conversations with attendees such as John Culpepper (Compost for Good) and Jean Bonhotal (Cornell Waste Management Institute) echoed the summit's themes of reimagining “waste” as a “resource”. Insights shared included innovative approaches to composting and repurposing organic materials.
The 10th Annual Organics Summit in Buffalo, NY marked a milestone in advancing organics recycling and soil health. With a renewed focus on collaboration and community engagement, participants left inspired to drive positive change in the environmental landscape.
Written by Stephanie Forbes
Photographs by Stephanie Forbes
Stephanie Forbes is a Buffalo native and Boston University alumna. She is currently interning with the WeRadiate team, where she leverages her consulting expertise and environmental background to spearhead initiatives in soil revitalization.