The People
Joe King (he/him)
- Educational Outreach Coordinator
Why do you work for RBR now ? - I continue to work for RBR and became a worker owner because I see their mission the same as my own. Our work is tied to a collective effort of concerned citizens directly bringing environmental sustainability to the city through the kitchen, dining rooms, and ultimately the farms growing our food across this region.
There is an increasing need for public awareness of the problem and the available solutions. We are constantly discovering new effects on our health and the planet’s from the creation of Landfills, Food Waste and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. As long as I have worked for RBR they have always embraced our individual experiences and grappled with balancing the environmental and social dynamics of our region as a guiding tool for change.
As an educational outreach coordinator I am actively working to both educate and demonstrate functional solutions to food waste issues in the community. I believe we make the most impact by culturing the next generation in nature and environmentalism. We are not separate from nature and many of the things we do on a daily basis are inherently bad for the environment. This can be changed by individuals actively adopting certain lifestyle changes.
We believe that through our shared vision and collective efforts toward the mission,Feed People, Not Landfills, we can help heal the planet and regenerate the many systems that we depend on.
Who are you outside of RBR ? - Outside of RBR I am still a passionate environmentalist recreationally. My first green passion was botany. I love looking for cool plants, conserving green space and seeing new habitats so much that I got a degree in Environmental Biology. It blends into everything I do.
I love hiking, camping, stream walks, mountain biking, fishing and gardening to name a few of my favorite outdoor activities. I am also really into meditation and mindfulness as a lifestyle. I've been training in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu for 8 years as my main outlet for stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
I also work for Cleveland Metroparks Youth Outdoors as an Full Time Outdoor Recreation Specialist. I take ongoing groups of inner city youth ages 8-18 in Cle Rec centers, Nonprofits and school groups out to the parks on all types of adventures! My favorite types of outings to lead are Kayaking, Archery, Stream hikes and Outdoor Cooking.
Dorian Martin - Commercial Dispatch
Dorian what’s upppp
Lex Mallernee (they/them) - Facilities Coordinator
How long have you been with RBR ? - since February 2023
What attracted you to RBR ? - I was drawn to RBR by a romanticization of composting, as an urgently necessary sustainability practice amid our climate crisis, as well as a practice of patience, mindfulness and gratitude by way of meaningfully engaging with our food systems and life cycles.
Why do you work for RBR now ? - I continue to be inspired by the work we do, and a vital piece to that work is the organization’s cooperative structure. I feel really grateful to be in a place where community and cooperation are fundamentally valued and the oppressive trappings of capitalism are continually challenged.
Who are you outside of RBR ? - I enjoy cooking and fermentation, poetry, being outdoors, being indoors, precarious home improvements, and dancing. I play in an experimental band called S.C.O.B.Y. and I live in Cleveland Heights with my partner, dog and 4 cats.
