Henry Crews
Executive Director, Green Rural Redevelopment Organization (GRRO)

Henry Crews serves as the Executive Director of the Green Rural Redevelopment Organization (GRRO), a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable agriculture, healthy food systems and economic development in Vance, Granville and neighboring rural counties in eastern North Carolina. Together with his partner Ardis Crews, Henry embarked on this transformative journey into healthy food systems and rural revitalization upon retiring and returning to his hometown of Henderson, NC.

​

Under Henry's leadership, GRRO has formed strategic partnerships with local and state government agencies, research institutions, school systems hospitals, insurance companies and foundations, fostering micro-market farms, healthy food delivery operations and educational programming all geared toward creating thriving rural communities. Through walk-up farm stands, mobile farmers markets, wellness on wheels programs and GRRO’s 38 foot mobile RV resource unit, the organization is ensuring access to fresh, healthy produce, medical screenings, along with other mental health and well-being resources in economically-challenged areas.

​

GRRO’s flourishing Healthy Food Prescription Program is gaining state-wide recognition, providing 40 rural jobs and delivering over 750+ healthy food boxes a week. This program leverages resources from the council of governments, local hospitals and several insurance companies to provide nutritious food options to the community, promoting both health and economic growth. Henry's vision and strategic use of available resources have fueled GRRO's growth, contributing greatly to the health and economic vitality of rural eastern North Carolina. 

​

Henry’s vision has also expanded internationally through the development of GRRO Global, an organization based in Liberia with a mission to help provide nutritious food to school-age children in rural communities across West Africa. Whether working in rural North Carolina or internationally, Henry remains focused on building partnerships and sustainable solutions that advance one overarching goal: creating thriving rural communities where people have access to healthy food, better health opportunities, and pathways to economic prosperity.