Guiding growth and impact for the future

On June 10 -11, 2025, the Georgia Urban Ag Council (UAC) Board of Directors and ex-officio members gathered to engage in a strategy retreat to capture their vision for the organization, identify areas of focus, and set goals and metrics for the future. Led by Vista Cova’s Lowell Applebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator, the participants began the session by describing individual visions of Georgia Urban Ag Council (UAC) as a thriving, successful organization for the future. Key areas of alignment included:

• Respected Industry Voice
• Membership Growth and Engagement
• Effective Advocacy
• Quality Education and Networking
• Organizational Strength
• Workforce Development
• Strategic Partnerships
• Inclusive Culture

Participants reviewed the evolution of UAC’s identity and using the Past/Present/Future framework, they examined the organization's history, beginning as a network of green industry professionals and progressing to its current role as an advocacy, education, networking, and workforce development organization. They also considered a future in which UAC functions as the main representative and central resource for Georgia’s urban agriculture sector, including landscape, turfgrass, horticulture, and related areas.

As a result of this collaborative process, the current vision and mission statements were reviewed, and new versions were crafted to align with the vision of the future organization. The group identified three overarching areas of focus for the organization and crafted goals for each:

• Policy Champions;
• Education; and
• Workforce/Career Development.

For the three areas, they crafter what should be achieved in each area alongside what success will look like and what key strategies may guide the Georgia Urban Ag Council to their envisioned future in the coming years.

As the Board continues to review and discuss the outcomes from the retreat, there are opportunities for further analysis and action. Addressing these will help ensure that UAC’s strategy is practical, measurable, and supported by stakeholders.

A strategic plan’s efficacy is only as strong as its connection to the day-to-day operations of the organization, and the Board’s work underscores the need for an operations plan that parallels strategic priorities. This alignment will ensure that every facet of UAC’s work is purposefully directed toward shared objectives. As this parallel operations plan becomes a living document, it will evolve with UAC’s work, providing a roadmap for the organization’s staff, volunteers, and leadership.

We look forward to sharing all this information with our members! Thank you for your support.