Steph, one of our fabulous cashiers, spent many hours and much effort directing, filming and producing a short film titled "Home Sweet Wheatsfield" and submitted it to the national My Co-op Rocks contest. Vote for it here. The video with the most votes wins and you can vote daily until November 30!

Everyone is welcome to upload videos or photos to the My Co-op Rocks contest until October 31 to be in the running to win one of the prizes.

A Special Meeting of the Members of Wheatsfield Cooperative was held in the deli seating area of the co-op on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 7:00 PM. The purpose of the meeting was to vote on proposed resolutions to change Article VIII and Article X of the Wheatsfield Articles of Incorporation as recommended by the Board of Directors in a special meeting notification that was mailed to all Wheatsfield members on August 29, 2012. Both resolutions passed, you can read the results and the minutes here.

After our mailing went out regarding the two resolutions that were proposed and recommended by the Wheatsfield Board of Directors, we received many questions. Although the voting period has past, we still want to provide a little bit of background to the proposed changes that hopefully will answer many of the questions that you may still have. Thank you for your support and questions and please do not hesitate to contact Linda (515-232-4094 or linda_j@wheatsfield.coop) if you have other questions not covered here. read the common questions and answers

Just because summer is almost over and our gardens are nearing the end of the season doesn't mean we have to stop growing things. Try growing a sweet potato vine at home this fall! Send us pictures of your progress to kim_c@wheatsfield.coop or show us one when you stop in for the free co-op kids' club treat of the month. Download a pdf of this month's activity.

Bitter-Sweet Corn

By Adam Calder

Early in August, I went on a weekend trip to Emmetsburg, IA with my roommate (and Wheatsfield’s Operations Manager) Bronwyn, and her boyfriend, Ben, to visit her Dad and her Grandmother Lorene (known to those who love her as “Mimi”). We wanted to get up there one last time to visit since Bronwyn was nine months pregnant and it might be a while after Bronwyn and Ben’s baby comes before we get up there to visit again.

I got up early that Sunday to make a pot roast, potatoes and carrots for lunch and I also prepared some Iowa sweet corn I brought along that I had happened to grab out of our fridge as we were headed out the door leaving Ames. I figured a pot roast with some potatoes and corn would be a great Sunday lunch to share with Bronwyn and her family. read more

Get your drawing pens, computer mouse or the medium of your choice ready for the 3rd Annual  Wheatsfield T-Shirt Design Competition. The winner will receive $50 in co-op gift cards and a free t-shirt once they are printed (as well as be remembered in co-op history)!

Criteria: Original artwork, mentions Wheatsfield and 2012 somewhere on the shirt, up to four colors, one sided, electronic or 8.5” x 11” paper.

Deadline: October 31st

Questions: Ask a staff member or e-mail kim_c@wheatsfield.coop

Entry Form: Grab one at the registers or here.

It's International Year of Cooperatives and the second My Co-op Rocks contest of 2012 is accepting entries in September and October. Don’t miss your second chance to win big by showing us how your co-op (Wheatsfield!) builds a better world. Head over to www.MyCoopRocks.coop to upload your videos and photos, check out the competition and vote for your favorites. First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded to winners in both video and photo categories.

Unleash your sense of humor, show your mad video story-telling skills, or let your inner shutterbug shine. You can dream up your own creative theme, or use one of these for inspiration:

• Cooperation in action: how does your co-op help to make your community a better place?

• Putting people first: who are the people who make your co-op rock?

• Building a better world: how does your local co-op contribute to a healthier, more just world?

• A place with principles: How does your co-op exemplify one (or more) of the International Co-op Principles?

• My Co-op Story: why do you shop co-op and just how, exactly, does it rock your world?

Videos should be two minutes or less and photos 5MB or less. The submission deadline is October 31 and voting extends through November 30. The sooner you enter, the more votes you can get! Stay tuned for more, and check www.MyCoopRocks.coop on September 1 for official contest details and updates.

On April 25, 2012 the Wheatsfield Board of Directors adopted Core Value Statements. They are based on the international cooperative principles, but more reflective of our community and aspects of Wheatsfield. Wheatsfield Board Member, Rachel Dakarian, wrote the following article introducing the core value statements, which appeared in the September/October Field Journal.

“Your mama raised you right.”

While glossing over the daily rigors of parenting, this compliment praises the end result. Without sharing childhood details or outlining political opinions, this expression highlights common ground. We build friendships and associate with communities based on broad commonalities. Appreciation for Wheatsfield happens in the same exact way: we may not know which staff member has first shift every Monday, or how the chili is made, or what happens at the register when Rachel Dakarian forgets her member number because it’s very early and she hasn’t had any coffee yet – but we trust the co-op will do what’s best. We know we have shared values. Those shared values keep our customers loyal, highlight local producers, and support our staff. read more