CHCC Board Member Lily Baucom Featured on Serenbe Stories: “The Promise of Local Agriculture”

We’re proud to share that Lily Baucom, board member and COO of the Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy, was featured on a recent episode of the Serenbe Stories podcast, hosted by Steve and Monica Nygren. The episode—titled “Farm-To-Table: The Promise of Local Agriculture”—dives into the role of agriculture in building resilient communities and a sustainable future.

Lily, who also serves as Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, shares her path into local food systems, her work in agricultural education, and how Chattahoochee Hills is uniquely positioned to lead a new model for rural revitalization.

🎧 Listen to the episode → Serenbe Stories - Farm-To-Table: The Promise of Local Agriculture

From Serenbe Guest to Neighbor and Leader

Lily Baucom’s journey to Chattahoochee Hills is both personal and purposeful. A native Atlantan, she grew up visiting Serenbe for its arts festivals and community events—often alongside her mother, an artist who introduced Lily early on to the creative and agricultural spirit of the place. “Chattahoochee Hills is such a beautiful place,” Lily reflects. “I knew it would bring me back here eventually.”

After studying public policy and social entrepreneurship in North Carolina, Lily found herself drawn back to Georgia—and especially to Chatt Hills, a rural and intentional community with values that mirror her own. Today, she lives just off Hutcheson Ferry Road and plays a pivotal role in shaping the area’s future through her work with the Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy, where she serves as both COO and board member.

Her leadership blends strategy, advocacy, and a deep sense of place—rooted not just in professional vision, but in lifelong connection.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in the Episode

• Agriculture’s Role in Community Resilience

  • Agriculture isn’t just about food—it’s the backbone of community health, identity, and sustainability. As Lily notes, Agriculture is Georgia's #1 Industry. But beyond economics, local farms serve as hubs for education, connection, and resilience—especially during times of disruption.

• Investing in the Next Generation of Farmers

  • With the average Georgia farmer now 58 years old, the future of farming depends on supporting young and diverse growers. Lily highlights innovative efforts like The Conservation Fund’s Working Farms Fund, which is helping new farmers establish roots in Chatt Hills through lease-to-own models. CHCC is also launching quarterly Farmers Forums to offer mentorship, build networks, and support local farmers with shared infrastructure and training.

• Strengthening the Local Food System

  • Lily’s 2023 Food System Analysis of the City of Chatt Hills outlines practical, high-impact steps to improve food access, activate underutilized land, and expand distribution capacity—especially in communities facing limited access to nutritious food.

• Agritourism and Public Engagement

  • From developing an Agritourism Map and consistent farm signage, to hosting community events that connect people to the source of their food, CHCC is bringing local agriculture to life. Lily and the Conservancy are working to ensure farm stands, CSA programs, and educational events are visible, accessible, and inviting.

“A strong local food system isn’t just about what’s on our plates—it’s about fostering resilient communities and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.” – Lily Baucom

🌾 The Path Forward: Collaboration is Key

As the episode makes clear, the future of local food systems depends on collective action—farmers, consumers, policymakers, and community members all have a role to play. Whether it’s protecting farmland, investing in infrastructure, or simply choosing to buy local, each step contributes to a more resilient food future. When is the last time you visited a local farm?

We’re honored to have Lily’s leadership helping guide that vision here in Chattahoochee Hills, and we invite you to be part of it.

🎙️ Tune in to the full conversation → Listen Now

Learn more about the Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy → Visit Our Website