2023 Board Election

I have been serving a one-year term on the Open Harvest board and am excited about running for a three-year term to help Open Harvest establish itself successfully in the new location on N. 21st ST. The past year has been great–I’ve met many members while tabling in the store and talking with members on the phone. I am impressed with so many who have a sincere interest in seeing Open Harvest thrive.

I have been on the Open Harvest Board of Directors for a year, and helping with fundraising. Currently, I am on the Neighborworks Lincoln Board which is involved in building or rehab for affordable housing. In addition to these organizations, I have a lot of experience serving on boards, often in leadership positions. To name a few organizations I’ve been involved with: Clinton Neighborhood Association, Humanities Nebraska, Centernet, Nebraska Literacy Heritage Association, several capitol campaign committees, etc. As a member of the OH Food Co-op since the early 1980’s, and previously a member of the New Pioneer Co-op in Iowa City, I think member-owned cooperatives are shining examples of what we can do together to support local farmers and provide healthy food to our communities.

Among challenges, there is more fundraising that is needed to meet all the debts associated with the new location, including construction, new equipment, repayment of loans and the move itself. Moving from a location where we have been for 33 years means we will lose some shoppers, but there is the opportunity to attract more shoppers in the Telegraph district. I can help with fundraising and brain-storming with 0ther board members and GM Amy Tabor about ways in which to attract new shoppers. The Telegraph District’s businesses will help with mutual support as will the new signage and the proximity to the Mill Coffeehouse.

As an incumbent since October 2022, I think my most important contribution has been to engage in the fundraising campaign through in-person special events such as tabling in the store and at Innovation Campus for Earth Day; calling members; donating myself and serving specifically on the capitol campaign committee.

This is an exciting and critical time for the Open Harvest Board. I joined the board in 2020 and I am running to be on the board for a second term. With a primary focus on getting the store moved successfully while keeping an eye on the financials and policy, I want to continue to serve the Open Harvest Grocery Store, the Store Team and Member/Owners. I am a long time advocate of Open Harvest and I hope to help position the store for success today, tomorrow and well into the future.

With 23 years in Retail Banking, I understand the constant balance of client expierence, employee development and retention, business financials and policy & compliance. After serving on the board for 3 years I have gained a solid understanding of how each of those impacts the success of Open Harvest. I am passionate about food and serving our neighbors that are hungry and food insecure. I am a member of Rotary #14 and believe in their moto “service above self”. I volunteer at the Gathering Place and help with a monthly initiative to help keep the Little Free Pantries stocked. I want to continue to help keep the Open Harvest Ends Statement true. These statements are aligned to my own values and mission as a member in our community.

Open Harvest Cooperative Grocery exists so there will be a vibrant community that: Has access to healthy, organic, and local food Supports economic justice and strengthens the local economy Upholds inclusive, socially responsible practices Contributes to a strong local food system and a sustainable environment Embodies cooperative principles

Right now we are full steam ahead with the relocation of the store. I have helped with fundraising, decision making and celebrating successes along the way.

I feel the biggest contribution I bring is the knowledge and tenure I have gained over the past 3 years of being on the board. I have gained a good understanding of the Policy and Governance that are used between the board and General Manager and I serve on several committees including: Operations, Annual Meeting, General Manager Review & Contract and my favorite, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Food not only provides vital nutrition, but offers us a way to express who we are, where we’re from, and to explore new options for our futures. In its 50+ years of operation, Open Harvest has provided Lincoln’s communities a growing range of choices, connections, education, and resources. “The co-op,” as we often called it, has been a truly “co-operative” endeavor, welcoming a broad range of people, products, and philosophies. I have been the beneficiary of the work of directors and staff who have diligently pursued food options that are local, healthy, and reflective of a wide variety of nutritional and cultural needs. Serving on the board would allow me to pay back a bit of my indebtedness.

In my history museum career I was privileged to serve on local, state, and national boards so I am familiar with the critical role board members can play in oversight, policy development, advocacy, and financial support. The board acts as a partner with the coop’s talented and committed staff but must cede authority for day-to-day operations to those individuals. Staff, board members, and coop members form the three legs of a stable organization that is poised to provide even more meaningful service to Lincoln area shoppers and eaters. I welcome the opportunity to take a more active role in the organization of which I have been a member for most of my adult life.

In the course of 40+ years work in state government and museums I developed skills and experience in budgeting, financial forecasting, fundraising, grant writing and administration ($6-10M annually), human resources, procurement, and project management. I was an active participant in capital construction and improvement projects that resulted in new facilities and renovations to historic buildings to better serve new audience needs. I continue to serve on the board of the Nebraska Museums Association. During my tenure on the Lincoln YWCA board redevelopment of O Street properties for both retail and affordable housing units gave me exposure to blending business and social service needs. I was a member and served as board chair for the national American Association for State and Local History and was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the National Museum and Library Services Board, which oversees the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, which provides resources to all US states and territories.

Museums are fundamentally educational institutions, so I have spent much of my professional life seeking ways to spark curiosity and learning. As a faculty member of the UNL Museum Studies program I helped train a new generation of museum workers and co-authored a book on museum administration.

Writing about food and foodways in articles and a regular cooking column in the Lincoln Journal Star is another ongoing educational endeavor. I continue to be informed and amazed by the many people who are also fascinated by food and share their stories and recipes with me. Online groups like “Eating Through the Pandemic and Beyond” offer models to build community that extends globally the on-the-ground experience that is the starting point for all food production.

Change! It’s been part of the through-line of Open Harvest’s story. From a buying co-op that distributed through church basements to the Randolph Street store and the current South Street location, Open Harvest members, staff, and board have responded to challenges by changing. BIG new changes—a building renovation, move, new operations model and systems—bring opportunities for BIG new growth. Expanding service to communities with limited food options, introducing high school student neighbors to healthier food choices, providing a crossroads for new Americans, tech and professional workers, seniors, people of varying abilities, races, orientations, and perspectives are among the challenging opportunities that lay ahead for Open Harvest as it continues to live its “co-operative” identity on a daily basis.

For-profit food purveyors are a source of competition, but Open Harvest can expand its current partnerships with local producers, listen intently to customer needs and preferences, and offer personal engagement that builds loyalty and support. Financial management, cost controls and membership recruitment and engagement will help strengthen the solid base on which Open Harvest can grow in into its next chapter.

Years working in a public agency serving people statewide attuned me to the critical role seeing and hearing people where they are plays in moving forward meaningfully. I hope to bring this “first, listen” approach in responding to the organization’s challenges and opportunities.

Service on the Open Harvest board will give me the chance to give back to the organization and people that have literally fed me and my family through many decades of life in Lincoln. “The co-op” is now poised to create an even greater sense of community as it welcomes blends the many stories that its members and customers have to share.

A lot of hard work lies ahead. I believe my experience in organizational management and board service, my communication skills and my love of food can help grow the place where nourishment feeds souls and bodies both. It would be my privilege to play a small role in helping Open Harvest address the food issues that will only become more complex in our future. “That is happiness,” Willa Cather wrote, “to be dissolved into something complete and great.“

I’m interested because I love Open Harvest and the community it has grown. It is a place of comfort and quality. I have considered joining the board in the past but hesitated because of the three year commitment. I was also challenged with health issues for the last year and half that made it hard to committ to anything. I am ready to jump out of my comfort zone and leave hesitation behind. Now I am healthy again and ready to try something new.

I have good people skills and an environmental studies degree. I’ve worked in waste management the past two and half years. My current role at Nebraska Recycling Council is focused on compost, biochar, and food waste. I attend community events as often as I can and try to support our farmer’s markets. I’ve also worked at several natural food markets over the years. Ellwood Thompson’s in Richmond, VA, Red Clover Market and Whole Foods in Lincon.

I see being able to compete price-wise with national natural food markets and larger grocers as the biggest challenge for Open Harvest. The biggest opportunities for Open Harvest are to have the best selection of local foods, and to have a thoughtfully curated selection of products. I could assist with these challenges and opportunities by bringing my ideas to the table.

My motivation for running for board is somewhat selfish. I’m looking to grow as a person and face new challenges in life that are out of my comfort zone. It’s also part of my current role to get involved with applicable organizations and make professional relationships with those that have similar goals. Food security and sustainable resouce management are top priorities for climate change resiliency. That being said, I am not running for this board to push my organization’s goals, but to align with like minded people. I’ve been coming to Open Harvest for years and it is the only retail store where I would consider being on the board.