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The Board of Directors is the backbone of the co-op. They insure the needs of co-op members are being met. The directors work as a team to set policy, hire and evaluate the general manager, maintain the fiduciary responsibility of the co-op and represent the membership as it creates the vision that guides the cooperative into the future.
The Wheatsfield Board of Directors is composed of eight co-op members. In the fall of 2009, the membership voted to change the bylaws to allow the number of directors to grow to eleven to accommodate the growing demands of the larger store. Each year, if there is a contested election, Wheatsfield members elect fellow members to serve on the board. If you are interested in running for the board, please see the sidebar to the left.
Below are your current board members, get to know them!
Penny Brown Huber
Occupation: Executive Director of Prairie Rivers of Iowa and Grow Your Small Market Farm ™
Board Member Since: 2007
Why I Serve on the Board: It was invigorating working on the
store’s expansion project and now looking to the future. We have
lots of opportunities to serve our members, customers and the
community. I serve on the Board because I know that the co-op brings
such a unique and important business to downtown Ames and is an
important piece to creating a sustainable community.
Favorite Product at the Co-op: Rudi’s 7-Grain Bread, TJ Farm Eggs and the Edamame and Olive Salad from the Deli.
Bruce Calhoun
Occupation: Land Use Planning and Design Consultant, REALTOR ®
Board Member Since: 2009
Why I Serve on the Board: My motivation to be part of the
Wheatsfield community and of its leadership is evolving. I
recently watched the film “Food Matters” which made
me acutely aware of the profound and growing conflict
between the origins of modern medicine, “Let thy Food be thy
Medicine and thy Medicine be thy Food” – Hippocrates - the
founding father of modern medicine, and medicine today, “the
trillion dollar worldwide ‘sickness industry” of
nutritionally-depleted foods, chemical additives and our tendency to
rely upon pharmaceutical drugs to treat what’s wrong with our
malnourished bodies.” Wheatsfield is uniquely positioned to
take a leadership role locally in the critical matter of good health
and healing, and I want to be a part of that.
Favorite Product at the Co-op: fresh in-season, local produce
Chris Corbin
Occupation: Vegetable Farmer at TableTop Farm
Board Member Since: 2009
Why I Serve on the Board:
It is an outlet for me to participate in local food democracy. Serving
on the Board allows me to have a deeper connection with my co-op.
Favorite Product at the Co-op: any light bean fair trade coffee
Rachel Dakarian
Occupation: Development Researcher, ISU Foundation
Board Member Since: 2012
Why I Serve on the Board: Serving on the Wheatsfield Board is an opportunity to emphasize my loyalty to the co-op and give my time to support a vital community resource.
Favorite Product at the Co-op: local Brussels Sprouts, sesame sticks in bulk, dolmas and the Golden Beet & Kale Salad from the deli
Stefan Gailans
Occupation: Graduate Research Assistant, ISU Agronomy
Board Member Since: 2011
Why I Serve on the Board: I serve my favorite grocery store in
Ames. I love the sense of community and well being that
Wheatsfield Cooperative promotes. The continued expansion of the
consumer base, availability of products sourced locally, and
interaction between directors and members are my goals for the store.
Favorite Product at the Co-op: Gunpowder green tea in the bulk section and Iowa-made beer!
Matt Liebman
Occupation: Professor of Agronomy and H.A. Wallace Chair for Sustainable Agriculture, ISU
Board Member Since: 2008
Why I Serve on the Board: I enjoy serving on the board because it
feels like a good way to make sustainably grown food more available
and sustainable farming more viable. Serving on the board is also a
good way to learn about many positive facets of the Ames community.
Favorite Product at the Co-op: I have many favorites, but there rarely passes a day when I don't eat Greek Gods yogurt!
Gina McAndrews
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Board Member Since: 2006
Why I Serve on the Board: I serve on the Wheatsfield Board of
Directors in order to give back to our community, help build a
stronger co-op, and most specifically to support Wheatsfield’s role
as a leader, provider and educator in supporting the viability and
expansion of local and more sustainable food systems in the central
Iowa region.
Favorite Product at the Co-op: bulk items, especially Muesli, local grass fed beef, ice cream and coffee
Karen Youngberg
Occupation: Co-owner of Ames Silversmithing
Board Member Since: 2011
Why I Serve on the Board: I am a long standing member of
Wheatsfield. I wanted to give back to this great business
and felt I could be of service to the store in areas of its business
and financial operations.
Favorite Product at the Co-op: Fentiman's Dandelion and Burdock drink/soda. It is so refreshing!
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