Tom Spaulding and Neddy Astudillo and their sons, Gustavo, Francisco and Adam (my godson)
We have known each other a long, long time now and these beautiful people are family to me. Both Tom and Neddy have worked to promote sustainability, simple living and community for all of their adult lives. They have recently moved from Wisconsin to Tampa, Florida, where Neddy has taken the position of Green Faith’s Latin America Director:
Neddy Astudillo
Latin America Director
The Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo is GreenFaith’s Latin American Director. Neddy is a Venezuelan-American, an eco-theologian and a Presbyterian pastor of an ecumenical (ELCA-PCUSA) Latino ministry in the USA. Neddy has created and taught eco-theology courses for theological seminaries in Guatemala, Bolivia, Peru and the USA. Neddy is co-founder and on-farm-educator at the Angelic Organics Learning Center.
Neddy is a talented painter and it is her painting that serves as the temporary image for this spot.
Tom has been the Executive Director of the Angelic Organics Learning Center since its founding in 1999. He will continue to work part time for the Learning Center as they transition to their new life in Florida.
“Angelic Organics Learning Center was established as the 501(c)(3) non-profit educational partner to Angelic Organics CSA farm in 1999. Executive Director, Tom Spaulding, and his wife, Neddy Astudillo, joined forces with biodynamic farmer, John Peterson, and a team of farmers and volunteers to establish a learning center that would foster a vibrant local food economy. Operating out of a renovated chicken coop, they offered workshops, coordinated farmer training programs, and launched educational programs in Chicago and Rockford.
Angelic Organics Learning Center now reaches more than 5,000 people annually. Our On-Farm Programs include workshops, field trips, summer camps, and most recently, educational farm stays at Angelic Organics Lodge. Our Upper Midwest CRAFT farmer training alliance joins more than 200 members within the sustainable & organic food system. Our Stateline Farm Beginnings program has graduated nearly 300 sustainable farmers since 2006. We also coordinate Urban Agriculture Programs in Rockford and Chicago. Our food & farm advocacy work helps transform local and national policies.” (from their About page)
Their boys are all wonderful and pursuing their dreams. This family is the embodiment of what is beautiful about diversity, creativity and sustainability. I thank them for their support!