Board Advisor

Born in Norwalk CT, Roberto Zapata is a first generation son of parents from Costa Rica  and Colombia. At a very young age Roberto learned how to work with his hands. He has had a long history of wood working and construction. Roberto is a passionate builder, designer, and creator. He apprenticed with an arborist for three years, learning rigging, SRT climbing, and proper tree pruning.  He has independently pursued  the study of tree, plant, and  mushroom medicines. 

In 2015 Roberto started a community garden project,  Meadows Garden Pride  in the Norwalk public housing complex where he lived. Through the use of Hürgelkelur he created garden beds that required no tilling, fertilizing, or irrigation, thus eliminating many outputs. From 2017-2018, Roberto led campers ages 8-18, and adults of all ages, in foraging, plant identification, and medicinal plant harvesting classes at Holmes Camp & Retreat Center. In 2018 he earned his permaculture certification, he is currently on the Board of Directors  of The Unadilla Community Farm, in Unadilla, NY, Co-Founder of the KINDRED Creative Residence & Agro-ForesT, and serves as an advisor on the Board of Directors of Apprentice Earth Inc. a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Recipient of the 2023-2024 Braiding Seeds Fellowship from Soul Fire Farm.