Davie honors local sustainability champions: chiropractor, backyard gardener and NSU engineering students

Davie honored individuals and a university program Tuesday for local sustainability achievements, spotlighting backyard food production, pollinator plantings and sustainability education.

The town presented a ‘sustainability champion’ award to Dr. Larry Novick, who told the council he has lived in Davie for four decades and manages a two‑acre parcel where he planted about 100 fruit trees, keeps beehives and gardens without chemical sprays. “I love this town, and I've seen it grow tremendously,” Novick said, describing his efforts to avoid monocropping and to maintain organic practices.

The council also recognized Kareem Rossi for long‑term volunteer work with the Rare Fruit and Vegetable Council of Broward and managing more than 75 fruit, spice and nut trees on his Shenandoah property. Rossi said his goal is to expand gardening knowledge so more residents can grow edible plants and support pollinators.

Finally, students and leaders from Nova Southeastern University's engineering student chapter described integrating sustainability across the curriculum since the program’s founding in 2016 and ABET accreditation in 2022. Roxanna Grama, president of the NSU student chapter, said engineering labs and design projects now emphasize resource resilience and long‑term community impact.

Council members praised the winners and encouraged community participation; staff invited award recipients to consider serving on the Agricultural and Environmental Advisory Committee to help shape future sustainability efforts.