January 2026 Meeting Minutes

January 19^th LIFE 5b Meeting

6:00 pm at the Firehouse Mexican Bar and Grill in Red Oak

Attendees: Jessa Bears, Shad Swanson, Laura Ferguson, Janine Johnson, Matt Johnson, Michelle Bacher (guest), Callie Hughes-Spencer (guest)

Call to order at 5:55 pm

Approved last month’s meeting minutes

New Business

S. Swanson reported that he will be taking a step back from LIFE 5b due to personal reasons. Shad is still planning to teach the Garden Planning Class in Clarinda on 1/24 and present at the Women, Land, and Legacy conference on 3/7, but will be stepping back after those events.

Discussion was had on LIFE 5b moving forward and timing of meetings. Members agreed that quarterly meetings will suffice for this year, with special meetings as needed. The next LIFE 5b meeting will be in April.

Nonprofit taxes are due on May 15^th. LIFE 5b has worked with Jeff Slaymaker from Clarinda in the past. LIFE 5b members will need to meet to reconcile checks and update Quickbooks. Checks are currently reconciled through March or April.

Food Box Updates

The Food Box program is done. For 2026, LIFE 5b will focus on providing the educational classes listed on the 2026 Event Calendar.

Old Business

Fundraising update: LIFE 5b will be requesting donations at the January 24^th garden planning class.

Pella donation: M. Johnson reported that he is no longer involved with Pella and does not believe there will be a donation.

Shendig: J. Bears reported that LIFE 5b is still expecting to receive a donation for volunteering at Shendig. They are likely going to mail a check, as they asked for a mailing address.

Farm to Table Meal: No updates at this time. Discussion on who would like to be lead on this project moving forward. Julie Wagner had gathered a lot of great preliminary information when it comes to planning a farm to table dinner - might reach out to her and see if she is still willing to help.

Greenhouse donation: discussion that the greenhouse is worth about $2,500. LIFE 5b wouldn’t need to necessarily list it for that price. Still need to find an interested party.

The Women, Land, and Legacy conference is coming up on March 7^th. J. Bears, S. Swanson, and L. Ferguson are planning to meet on February 21^st before or after the seed swap in Shenandoah to go over the details. J. Bears will also be on the “second income streams” panel discussing her farm operations.

Discussion was had on the Practical Farmers of Iowa Conference. S. Swanson, J. Johnson, M. Johnson, and L. Ferguson were all in attendance. Some highlights included Dan Fillius with ISU and Featherstone Farms out of Minnesota, who has a 1400 member CSA.

Upcoming Important Dates:

·         January 24^th – Garden Planning – Clarinda Library – 12:30 PM

·         February 21^st – Seed Swap/Seed Starting – Shenandoah TBD (J. Bears to follow up with Shenandoah Historical Society)

·         March 7^th – WLL Conference – Malvern

·         March 21^st – Gardening for Profit – TBD

·         April 11^th – Canning Class – TBD

·         May 2 – Plant Sale – TBD

·         May 12 – Foraging Class

Meeting adjourned at 6:27 pm

Next meeting April 20^th in Oakland.