November 2025 Meeting Minutes

November 17th LIFE5b Meeting

6:00pm at Breadeaux Pizza in Corning

Attendees: Jessa Bears, Shad Swanson, Laura Ferguson, Michelle Bacher (guest)

Call to Order at 6:47 pm.

Approved last month’s minutes.

Treasurer Report

No updates.

Fundraising Update

J. Bears reported that LIFE5b received $55 from selling shirts at the Southwest Iowa Local Food Summit. S. Swanson is finishing up collecting statistics for the fundraising letter. Fundraising letters are planned to be sent out around December 1^st. LIFE5b members will work on a list of local businesses, individuals, and organizations to mail the letters to. J. Bears reported that she found LIFE5b envelopes that we can use for the letters.

Matt Johnson reported at the October meeting that Pella might donate – will need to follow up with Matt at the next meeting.

Farm to Table Meal

Julie Wagner spoke with Phil at the Five One 8. He is not opposed to the event being held there but had follow-up questions. They had tried to get Chef Joel from Primrose to cook there before, but the kitchen is too small. Potential for Joel to cook the food somewhere else and transport it. Other questions to think about include how much food, storage and temperature control, who will be providing wait staff, clean-up, and dishware. We discussed that LIFE5b members will help as wait staff and clean-up, and can provide additional dishware if needed. The Five One 8 has limited dishware available, and there will be a charge. The Five One 8 also does not allow disposable dishware (paper/plastic).

Planning for the Farm to Table meal will be the primary focus of the December meeting. L. Ferguson will reach out to Jamie Fowler at Golden Hills to pick her brain on the logistics of the farm to table meal they held at Hitchcock Nature Center to get more ideas.

Old Business

J. Bears reported that the SW Iowa Local Food Summit went well and had good attendance.

Greenhouse Donation – No interest from public yet on purchasing the greenhouse. Seyler Farms wants to have the greenhouse gone by spring. It is getting a little late in the season to put up a greenhouse, but LIFE5b will keep advertising to see if there is any interest out there.

Food Box Updates – done with free boxes for the year, and this weekend is the final one for paid boxes. Hospital boxes will continue for another 3-4 weeks.

Shendig fundraising – J. Bears reported we are still waiting to hear back.

Women, Land, and Legacy Conference – March 7, LIFE5b will present from 10:45am to 12pm. Discussion on inviting Casey Gathje (NRCS Outreach Coordinator involved with WLL) to the next meeting.

LIFE5b still has scholarships available for the PFI Conference.

Volunteer Treasurer – not much progress made on finding someone. LIFE5b received interest from 2 individuals, but some concerns with limited knowledge of Quickbooks. S. Swanson will follow-up with Debbie McLaughin who had reached out earlier.

CD Renewal – bank will send out letter when ready to renew.

LIFE5b has purchased the hog for food emergencies this winter, and it is in the freezer. Discussion was had on how food emergency requests work. Tyler Bartley was assisting with food emergencies and may still have some of the LIFE5b canned goods. Shad will reach out to see if any of the nonperishables are still available.

New Business

Charity Bridge Fund – no updates at this time.

Discussion on offering a basic personal finance class in the future. Topics would include learning how to shop on a budget, etc.

Important Dates:

·         January 9^th – 10^th: PFI Conference.

·         March 7^th – WLL Conference in Malvern.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:18 pm.

Next meeting December 15^th in Bedford.