2024 Board Election

The Board of Directors represents all 2,600+ owners and shapes the vision for the co-op while evaluating the current performance of the business through Policy Governance. A strong and successful cooperative depends on a highly functional and effective Board of Directors. Your co-op needs your input in guidance and leadership to continue to thrive as a cooperative business. Claim one of your most powerful rights of co-op ownership and vote today!

The Open Harvest Board of Directors is comprised of nine co-op owners who are elected by the general ownership and serve three-year terms. Any co-op owner may run for a board position and all active co-op owners in good standing by October 14th, 2024 are eligible to vote.

Owners can vote in the 2024 Board Election + 2025 Seed Recipients by:

  • Online voting (Preferred)
  • In-Store Kiosk (Preferred)
  • In-Store Paper Ballot

Your voter ID is your Owner #. Your voting key will be provided by email.  If you do not have an email on file, you will need to vote by paper ballot.

The Board of Directors is comprised of nine co-op owners who are elected by the general ownership and serve three year terms. This year, there are four candidates running for 4 open seats.

Voting will take place through a secure, online portal e-mailed to owners, as well as an in-store kiosk and in-store paper ballot.
Online Voting is run through a third-party system, Election Runner, to ensure ballot & counting integrity.

The 2023 Election was closed on November 4th, 2023.

Board Members

2024 Elected Board Members: In Progress

SEED Recipients

The 2025 SEED Program recipients: In Progress

Carla McCullough Dittman

Why are you interested in serving on the Open Harvest Board of Directors?

I feel a deep connection to Open Harvest and it’s mission and want to continue to contribute to the coop’s success. Open Harvest serves our community as a crucial link for a more resilient and sustainable local food system. As a member owner and shopper for 24 years and a board director before and during our recent relocation, I have knowledge and experience that I feel would be valuable for our coop as we move forward in this new era for Open Harvest. I am committed to providing our staff with a wonderful place to work and for our member owners and community to shop. I want to ensure we continue to thrive and be a gem in the heart of Lincoln.

What skills do you bring to a board of a $4.5 million business?

I have several years of experience on the Open Harvest Board and am serving as the current Board Chair. I chair the Finance and Board Operations Committees. I served as Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee leading up to the 2024 store relocation. In my professional life, I have been in charge of multimillion dollar annual federal grants to the state through Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy for the 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Program and have assisted in the financial management of several small businesses. I currently manage the Hub Farmers Market, which I co-founded in 2020. I serve on the advisory board of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program and am a member of the Great Plains Trails Network, Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society, and Friends of Wilderness Park. I am currently a candidate for the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District Board of Directors.

What do you feel are the primary challenges and/or opportunities facing Open Harvest, and how could you help to meet such challenges/opportunities?

I feel that the primary challenges facing Open Harvest are to keep the momentum of increasing member ownership and sales, pay off our debts incurred for the relocation, and educate and inspire new member owners and shoppers about the importance and uniqueness of our cooperative structure. We have a wonderful opportunity with the new store location to better serve our long-time member owners and to connect with new shoppers and member owners. To help us meet these challenges, I would continue to promote and volunteer for educational and outreach activities and be an strong advocate for Open Harvest. I would continue to help run a highly productive, efficient, and inspirational board for our coop.

New Candidates: What is your motivation for running for board? Incumbents: What do you believe has been your most important contribution to the board during your tenure?

During my tenure on the board, I feel that my most important contribution has been to help us find a new location and move the store! As part of that effort, my most important contribution was to initiate and chair the Capital Campaign Committee in 2022. Together with our General Manager and staff, we were able to raise the $4.5 million dollars needed to ensure we could move. This was done through promotion of preferred share investments by member owners and securing grants, donations, and loans. We were able to secure a fiscal agent agreement with the Lincoln Community Foundation for the duration of our relocation efforts so that donors could have the tax benefit of donating to a 501(c)3. We were able accomplish the move on-time and now have a wonderful new facility for our staff and shoppers to enjoy!

Jarvis Green

Why are you interested in serving on the Open Harvest Board of Directors?

I would like to impact the community with healthier food. Food deserts shouldn’t exist in my book. I think making a difference in the community starts at the board level to help bridge the gap between local farmers and consumers.

What skills do you bring to a board of a $4.5 million business?

I have more than 6 years of experience working in sales and more than 8 years of working in the fitness industry helping to bring better health to the community. Economic development is important to me. I also have a small business in the fitness industry and am constantly developing new products to help solve problems. I received a BS in Exercise Science and a MS in organizational management specialized in economic development and entrepreneurship from Peru State College. I’m also on the board for Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln/ Lancaster county. As well as the CEO of my family’s estate.

What do you feel are the primary challenges and/or opportunities facing Open Harvest, and how could you help to meet such challenges/opportunities?

Opportunities:
Access to healthier and affordable food for consumers
Opening a south location
Hosting a CCMA Conference in Lincoln at our new cooperative
Challenges:
Marketing for apprehensive audiences
FUNdraisers
Creative space for food entrepreneurs

New Candidates: What is your motivation for running for board? Incumbents: What do you believe has been your most important contribution to the board during your tenure?

I try to be really involved in the community. I am very passionate about health, fitness, and faith. Those three pillars are very important in my life. Ideas have been my biggest contribution to the board. My willingness to brainstorm and help the team focus on the mission.

Rollin Metzger

Why are you interested in serving on the Open Harvest Board of Directors?

I am deeply interested in serving on the board because I profoundly believe in the mission of Open Harvest. Open Harvest serves a vital role in the advancement of sustainable, local food systems and agriculture. Its commitment to fostering community involvement and engagement is inspiring. I am dedicated to supporting Open Harvest’s continued growth and success, as it stands at the vital intersection of local food and community engagement.

I envision a future where Open Harvest not only strengthens its role in promoting sustainable food practices but also serves as a central hub for community interaction and education. I am passionate about ensuring that Open Harvest continues to thrive, benefiting both our current community and future generations.

What skills do you bring to a board of a $4.5 million business?

I have direct experience working with local food vendors and national distributors through my 10 years of being formerly employed at Open Harvest. I managed, led, and took lead on various initiatives through myriad roles at the co-op. This experience has equipped me with a nuanced understanding of the operational and strategic needs of local food retailers. Outside of Open Harvest, I’m a software engineer with a background in mathematics. My role involves tackling complex problems requiring unique innovative solutions for numerous projects. The flexibility required in software mirrors the adaptability needed in the co-op environment. I have navigated shifting responsibilities and priorities by reallocating resources and reassessing strategies to meet evolving demands. This skill set will be valuable in addressing the dynamic challenges faced by our local food retailers.

What do you feel are the primary challenges and/or opportunities facing Open Harvest, and how could you help to meet such challenges/opportunities?

Open Harvest is now settled in the Telegraph district. This was a huge win for co-op. However, I feel Open Harvest is currently facing two ongoing challenges: visibility and education. Open Harvest serves and provides from local food vendors, but how do we get this importance of local across to new shoppers? How does Open Harvest’s mission get received by potential new customers and why is that important? The relocation was a huge step to provide answers into this realm of differentiation. I believe I’m able to help answer these questions and help overcome other challenges by leveraging my background in this space. Couple that with a deep understanding of breaking down requirements for complex problems, and I believe I can help distinguish Open Harvest, ultimately building a stronger connection with the community and fostering greater support for local food.

New Candidates: What is your motivation for running for board? Incumbents: What do you believe has been your most important contribution to the board during your tenure?

My motivation for running for the board is to see Open Harvest succeed, not for itself, but for its importance with the community. It is currently facing two challenges: visibility and education. I am eager to combine my skills and background to see Open Harvest meet its mission and overcome those challenges.

Monica Snowden

Why are you interested in serving on the Open Harvest Board of Directors?

First, I have been a member of Open Harvest since the early 1990s because I highly value year-round access to organic and local food. Second, I enjoy collaborating with others to foster sustainable food systems. To me, a sustainable food system must be a just food system that is holistic in scope by addressing the health and well-being of ecosystems, producers, and communities. Third, I understand that action taken now to grow sustainable food systems is essential to realizing climate justice. Building, maintaining, and growing sustainable food systems that are inclusive across lines of class, race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration and citizenship status, ability, and age, is vital to achieving food and climate justice. This means we must be mindful of not only who is at decision-making tables, but who at these tables are valued and supported is essential.

What skills do you bring to a board of a $4.5 million business?

As a sociologist, I am skilled in writing, research, leadership, and critical and innovative thinking. I have been teaching and conducting research in environmental sociology, social inequality, social theory, and health sociology for 27 years at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. In 2006, I was asked to assist in launching the Wayne Farmers market. I served on its governing committee for 10 years. I also collaborated to start the Wayne Community Garden, which I co-managed for several years. And I helped form the Wayne Green Team, which promotes zero waste community initiatives. In these roles, I worked with the city administrator, the Wayne Area Economic Development Office, local food producers, and community volunteers. I testified at city council meetings, attended Chamber coffees, and organized community events. At Wayne State College, I served as chair of the Department of Psychology and Sociology for six years.

What do you feel are the primary challenges and/or opportunities facing Open Harvest, and how could you help to meet such challenges/opportunities?

The primary opportunities appear to be expanding the customer base given the new location in the Telegraph District. Additionally, Open Harvest is well-positioned to connect with state and non-profit organizations to lead on food justice, zero waste and renewable energy initiatives to the benefit of the store and its customers, the Telegraph District, and central Lincoln neighborhoods. Regarding challenges, maintaining the financial security of the co-op must be a primary concern of the Board. Being intentional about bridging the gap between the co-op’s values and its operations is equally important. We know that local and organic food is often more costly than conventional, and some perceive it as only for select groups. Thus, it is essential to address issues associated with affordability, access, and inclusivity.

New Candidates: What is your motivation for running for board? Incumbents: What do you believe has been your most important contribution to the board during your tenure?

With newfound time and space in my life and my move to Lincoln, I now have the capacity to serve on the Board. It is a role that aligns with my interests and values, which include collaborative community and civic engagement. Open Harvest has been dear to my heart for a long time. I have maintained my membership for three decades and have been a loyal customer during my time living in Wayne, NE. When traveling, I seek out co-ops to visit, which makes me grateful to have Open Harvest in Lincoln. It is a quality co-op that I am proud to be a member of, and I want to see it thrive into the future. In sum, I have the passion and skills to be a part of a team that works to facilitate Open Harvest’s continued success and positive community impact.

Board Candidacy FAQs

Have you ever considered running for the Board?

Our ownership is diverse and talented. We know that many of you are qualified and willing to serve. Serving on the Open Harvest Board is a responsibility and an opportunity open to all Owners in good standing*.

Within the cooperative structure, Open Harvest Owners, Management, and the Board each have their own particular duties to perform. Guided by the mission statement and goals of the Co-op, the Board concentrates on strategic decision making, long-term planning, and on the business’s financial soundness. An active, well-qualified board is essential to a healthy co-op.

*Good standing: membership must be paid in full and in applicant’s name, not the name of another member of your household.

What commitment is required?

Directors serve for a term of three years and commit to working at least 3-5 hours per month. That time is spent reviewing the Board Packet materials prior to a meeting; the monthly, 2 hour board meeting; and it’s typical to have at least one committee meeting, action items, and/or activities per month. The board also has events and trainings we attend throughout the year. 

What benefits are provided for serving?

For their committed service, directors receive an annual stipend of $150, provided quarterly as a store gift card. But there are so many other benefits to board service including leadership development, personal and professional growth, having a positive impact on our community and co-op, building financial acumen, practice in strategic thinking and planning, and learning about Policy Governance.

How is the Board structured?

The board uses a formal system known as Policy Governance to establish a structure for our work. The Policy Register is the document which sets out the details of how we apply policy governance. The Register describes the roles and responsibilities of the board, and the methods it uses to oversee the co-op. Check out the Board Policy Register for the complete set of board policies. 

What are the responsibilities of the Board?

  • Support and develop the Ends Statement and other policies to reflect the needs of owners
  • Ensure financial solvency and integrity of the co-op by reviewing monitoring reports
  • Support the mission, vision, values, goals, and objectives of the co-op
  • Keep informed on the affairs of the co-op and come prepared to discuss issues before the Board
  • Evaluate performance based on monitoring reports and external audits
  • Learn about the natural foods industry and cooperative organizations
  • Learn about and practice Policy Governance   
  • Consider at all times owners input in decision making
  • Keep owners informed about the affairs of the cooperative

What are Board candidacy qualifications?

These are some of the skill sets that lend well to work with the Open Harvest Board, and are desired, but not required, in our next set of directors.

  • Critical thinking: Capacity to be objective and open-minded to evaluate information with reason, reflection, and analysis.  
  • Continuous learning: A passion for learning new concepts through training and independent research, and contributing to building the board’s collective wisdom.
  • Communication and interpersonal skills: Ability to write articles, speak in public, and other communication with small and large groups. To also convey ideas, problem-solve, listen, and participate in consensus decision making processes with respect.
  • Social justice experience: Understand systems of oppression.
  • Natural food and retail industry: Knows the trends, opportunities, and challenges of the retail industry, specifically the natural food market.
  • Board experience: Knowledge of the qualities of effective boards.
  • Legal knowledge: Ability to read and understand legal language, concepts, bylaws, and other legal materials.
  • Financial acumen: Understand financial benchmarks and documents.
  • Community representation: Experience representing a community through engagement.