August 2025 Meeting Minutes

August 18^th LIFE5b Meeting

6:00pm at the Gathering Place in Sidney

Attendees: Jessa Bears, Shad Swanson, Laura Ferguson

Call to Order at 6:04 pm.

Approved last month’s minutes.

Treasurer Report

No updates at this time

Recognition

Thank you to Lisa Sonka for her help packing and delivering boxes.

Fundraising Update

Will need to follow up with Damian Rothmeyer to find out if he is still planning to be the fundraising chair. Discussion on having monthly and/or individual goals for fundraising. Will plan on sending out letters this winter around the holidays to request donations from sponsors.

Action Item Follow-up

Thank You Notes – L. Ferguson to send thank you note to Stephanie Page for her help and coordination during Shendig.

J. Bears has been updating the website. She has requested a bio from board members. L. Ferguson will send J. Bears a bio to add to the website.

Salsa Class refund – J. Bears has followed-up with participants that are requesting refund for the Salsa Class that was cancelled due to low registration numbers. The payment from participant is still showing as “pending” in PayPal until 8/25.

July meeting minutes have been posted on website.

Old Business

Hospital Boxes – J. Johnson had suggested using Ziplock bags for meat to help with leaking.

Shendig fundraising – J. Bears reported we should have numbers tonight.

LIFE 5b boxes – S. Swanson reported that we will have them for this week. Will have sweet corn and melons.

LIFE5b apparel – since it is getting late in the summer, J. Bears suggested ordering long sleeve t-shirts and hoodies through Jena Bowers. She has been very responsive. This could be a potential opportunity to fundraise by selling shirts/hoodies around the holidays.

Shenandoah School Local Produce – no further updates at this time. Will need to check-in with Janine Johnson.

New Business

Greenhouse Donation – S. Swanson was contacted by Seyler Farms in Nodaway regarding a 30 x 30 greenhouse frame that they are wanting to donate to LIFE5b. This includes the hoops, posts, and rafters. Would need to purchase the plastic. Discussion on who would run the greenhouse – would require checking on it morning and night. Discussion on selling the greenhouse as fundraiser. 

Rotary Club Lunch – September 16^th at Noon, in Shenandoah at Elm Street Grill. J. Bears and S. Swanson plan to attend.

Women Gaining Ground Conference – March 7^th in Malvern. LIFE5b was invited to speak from 10:45 – 12. Topic suggestions include high tunnels, farmers markets, producing foods for schools, farm to table, etc. LIFE5b is on board to talk. Discussion on splitting session up into different topics and having 2-3 of us speak.

Producer Meetings – discussion on timing of producer meetings and making them mandatory for growers wanting to sell to LIFE5b. Will plan to have one in January, one in June, and one later in late summer if needed.

Important Dates:

·         September 14^th: Garden of Paradise Field Day

·         September 16^th: Rotary Lunch

·         September 21^st: Sycamore Ridge Goat Yoga

·         October 11^th: Goat Pumpkin Carving

·         November 11^th: Herb Class

·         November 14^th: SW Iowa Local Foods Summit

·         2^nd week of November: Food boxes end

·         November: 2026 planning meeting

Meeting Adjourned at 6:44 pm.

Next meeting September 15^th in Malvern.