Water is arguably the most important nutrient on earth. It is “the universal solvent,” providing…
Andrew Gunther
It is with huge sadness that we share the loss of A Greener World’s Executive Director, Andrew Gunther, who passed away suddenly on Friday, 19 February. This tragic loss is devastating for the Gunther family, the entire AGW team, and all those working toward a sustainable food and farming future. We will share details on Andrew’s legacy and arrangements in the coming days.
Andrew was a pioneering British farmer who spent his formative years in Wiltshire, UK. With agricultural backgrounds, Andrew and his wife, Tracy, and their young family soon began farming in Devon and established the world’s first organic poultry hatchery for chickens. In 2006, the Gunther family moved to the U.S.A. and eventually settled in Oregon, where he established A Greener World and a small family farm.
Andrew’s leadership, expertise and relentless hard work drove the unprecedented growth of AGW’s flagship certification, Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, for over a decade, leading to its distinction as the only “highly meaningful” food label for farm animal welfare, outdoor access and sustainability as designated by Consumer Reports. During his tenure, AGW expanded to offer five of the most trusted and transparent food labels and certification services to farms and food businesses around the globe, with operations in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Andrew’s experience and passion for supporting and empowering farmers made him a true leader, an expert and a friend to many. But he was also a family man who farmed and worked daily alongside his wife and partner, Tracy, and took enormous pride in his two sons and was recently delighted to become a grandfather.
As we extend condolences to Andrew’s family and everyone who knew and loved him, we know that Andrew would want us to continue the important work that he started. Per Andrew’s wishes, AGW’s Director of Communications and Outreach, Emily Moose, will assume the role of Executive Director, working directly with regional directors and the global development team to ensure continued delivery of the collective vision Andrew inspired.
We remain committed to the seamless function of our work and we will continue to communicate important information during this period of transition. If you have concerns or questions, please contact us at info@agreenerworld.org.za or +27 (0) 74 974 9777.