Alexis Chase takes over as new executive director of nonprofit Georgia Organics

Georgia Organics, a nonprofit that supports organic farmers and local food systems, bids farewell to President & CEO Alice Rolls after her remarkable two-decade tenure and welcomes Alexis Chase, a leader with 18 years of nonprofit experience, as the new executive director. 

Under Rolls’ leadership, Georgia Organics grew annual conference attendees tenfold, launched Georgia’s first farm-to-school program, seeded the Atlanta Local Food Initiative, and more.  

“Since I started farming in 1998, the local farm scene in Georgia has transformed… for which I would credit no one person above Alice Rolls,” said Daniel Parson, a farmer/educator at Oxford College Farm. “She has a knack for working with people – grant agencies, national super-stars, and local farmers – and capitalizing on opportunities.”

As the nonprofit’s first staff member in 2004, Rolls seized on the growing public interest in organic food. 

“Suddenly, we were thinking about local connectivity from the farm back into a farmer’s market, retail outlet, household or school,” Rolls said. 

To facilitate local, healthy food in school cafeterias and classrooms, Rolls and her team tapped school nutrition directors to champion a farm-to-school and early care program.

“We knew school nutrition directors cared deeply about kids but didn’t have large budgets,” Rolls recalled. “So, we created easy ways to do good and recognized their efforts – meals served, gardens cultivated, and instruction provided. In six years, half of Georgia school districts participated.”

Rolls was also at the table when communities, nonprofits, universities, government agencies, individuals, and corporations formed the Atlanta Local Food Initiative, dedicated to ensuring every resident has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food from sustainable farms and gardens

“ [In 2008] we created A Plan for Atlanta’s Sustainable Food Future with eight goals around access, supply, and consumption,” she said. “That work led the City of Atlanta to codify urban farming and hire a Director of Urban Agriculture.” 

Rolls deeply respects farmers;  their character, commitment, hard work, and willingness to support one another. 

“My hope is that our society continues to support and invest in organic farmers so we can have this delicious food that supports health, wellness, environmental renewal, and equity,” Rolls said. 

That’s why Rolls’ advice to Chase is to “think big and center everything on farmer prosperity.” 

Chase joined Georgia Organics in January, after serving as executive director for Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, a faith-based response to climate change. 

“I predict that Alexis will do great things in this role,” Parson said. “Coming from a farm family, she has a rooted understanding of its challenges. Her professional nonprofit background, easy-going nature and tenacious drive to support organic and sustainable farmers have clearly prepared her for the tasks ahead.”   

Following her dairy farmer grandfather’s motto, “You can do it, but I’ll help,” Chase jumped right in. 

“I have met a lot of people,” Chase said. “Alice built a smart, thoughtful, passionate staff and support network.”  

For 2024, Chase is prioritizing implementing recommendations from the organization’s recent racial equity audit to fulfill its commitment to anti-racism.

“It’s important to talk about our past and how we can embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Chase said. 

She’s also planning large events, like the Georgia Organics’ 2024 Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival on July 28 and the nonprofit’s first regional conference in 2025. 

“The festival is amazing because Atlanta restaurants and mixologists compete to make the best tomato-based dish and drink,” Chase said. 

Alongside 100 partners, Georgia Organics is planning the 2025 SOWTH Conference at the Georgia World Congress Center, Feb 4-6, 2025. Convening farmers and leaders from 13 southeastern states, It will focus on equity, farmer prosperity, environmental renewal and more.

“I feel incredibly confident about our future as we focus more deeply on direct support for farmers,” Chase said.

“What a time to celebrate how far we have come in 20 years and look forward to the next chapter,” Parsons said. “Sustainable farming is all about creating resilience in terms of land, plants, animals, markets, and the environment. Focusing on farmer prosperity is key to that resilience.”

 Visit georgiaorganics.org to join the newsletter and/or the “Honoring Alice” campaign to leave a message or to make a donation.