The benefit of a protracted tenure is you get to witness true change. Once I began in 2004, there have been solely seven farmers markets in Georgia, the Nationwide Natural Program was two years previous, and “native meals” was not a part of our vernacular. Due to an unimaginable group of passionate farmers, advocates, and companions, the native meals motion has grown and flourished in transformative methods.  There are actually 150 farmers markets, 150 Licensed Natural farms in Georgia, and extra Licensed Naturally Grown farms than in some other state. Eighty-two % of Georgia households now buy natural meals regularly. Farm to high school packages dot Georgia’s panorama, and there are inspiring efforts to justly assist Black and Brown farmers and mitigate the impacts of local weather change. 

You can say I had beautiful timing once I took this job, and that will be true. However I’ve additionally had the distinctive privilege of main and dealing alongside visionary and dedicated colleagues at Georgia Organics, and past, who’ve made this transformation occur.   

Positioning the group for the longer term is a problem I take significantly, and thus I’ve been quietly engaged on succession planning the final two years. I’m assured that this planning, together with our sturdy management workforce, will enable our group to be steady in our mission, objectives, and execution. Our Board of Administrators and a newly shaped search committee shall be centered within the coming months on hiring a brand new Government Director someday later this yr. A job description has been posted on our web site and shall be circulated by numerous shops. In the course of the upcoming transition, I shall be right here to assist the brand new Government Director and our regional collective affect work in a President Emeritus position for a brief time period. Afterwards, I shall be looking for new adventures in work and play. 

It isn’t simple stepping away from work that has been my coronary heart and soul for twenty years. I really like this group and what we do, notably our newer mission to put money into natural farmers for the well being of the land and our communities. Georgia Organics has deeply formed me and cemented an everlasting respect for native and natural farmers who steward public and environmental well being. Irrespective of the place I am going, I’ll proceed to champion them. 

In case you are getting this letter, meaning you could have been a valued ally, supporter, pal and/or mentor in my skilled and private journey. For that, I’m humbled and grateful for all that we’ve completed collectively through the previous 20 years. 

Heat regards, 

Alice Rolls 
President & CEO