2023 Annual Meeting Minutes

OCIA Nebraska

Annual Meeting

December 6, 2023

Ag Expo Sandhills Global Event Center

Lincoln, NE

Meeting was called to order by President Simeon Mosel at 3:27 pm. 

Minutes were read by Secretary, Karen Ostry.  There was one correction:  Rick Schuchardt barn was built in 1885, not 1805.   A motion was made by James Sousek, seconded by Jane Schuchardt and all in favor of the annual meeting minutes.

Treasurer’s report by Treasurer, Travis Wingate. The balance at the beginning of 2023 was $69,852.41.  The income for the year was $24,066.00 with membership fees bringing in $7425.00 and sponsorships at $2550.00.  Rick Schuchardt, who monitors the TOPPS grant program pointed out that OCIA received $13,456.00 that helped to promote OCIA, organic agriculture, mentor/mentee programs and audio-visual equipment.

Expenses for 2023 were $73,206.98 with updating the website, $50,000.00, a portion of the money from High Plains Chapter, was put into a money-market account with Furstenau Financial in Neligh, NE and is currently earning a variable interest rate.  A scholarship program has been started with these funds and will be offered to high school students pursuing an education in organic agriculture.  Program administrator contract was renewed with Kim Mosel and her wage was increased to $15.00 per hour, due to more responsibilities with the website.  Additionally, OCIA Nebraska has purchased a subscription to Quicken as it will be more prudent to track expenditures and be able to easily group debits and credits.

The projections for 2024 are an income of $26,000.00 and expenses of $21,335.00.

Motion made by Rick Schuchardt, seconded by Larry Stanislav and all were in favor of the treasurer’s report.

Administrator’s report:  In the absence of Kim Mosel the secretary reported that there are 70 members and 2 supporting members and 4 new members.  You are asked to check out the new website and sign up for the TOPP Mentorship Program.  It has tabs of For Sale, our sponsors, resources, news and events, membership, contact us and about us.  Our website “For Sale tab” is member only posting by requesting permission thru the website.  Contact Kim or any of the board members if they can be of help.  OCIA International will be contacting members on your next year’s 2024 Organic System Plan.  The Organic System Plan online accounts are still available by request from our chapter contact, Jessie Gregath, 402-477-2323 jgregath@ocia.org. There were 5 sponsors that exhibited at our meeting this year.

Motion made by Randy Reinke, seconded by Rick Schuchardt and all in favor of the administrator’s report.

New Business:  Travis Wingate spoke on the 2024 budget review and the fee schedule.  There was a discussion on members who came to the event, but didn’t stay for the business meeting.  Did they still comply for the $50.00 credit to their membership fee?  Motion made by James Sousek to allow them to keep the credit this year.  It was seconded by Travis Wingate and all in favor.

 Board of Directors has five members:  Simeon Mosel, Rick Schuchardt, Travis Wingate, Karen Ostry, and Genny Mosel.  Members were called to asked if they would be willing to serve on the Board.  Three volunteered to be on the ballot. 

Dustin Blair, Creighton, NE, Heather Lurz, Valentine, NE and Ryan Volk, Battle Creek, NE.  Top votes went to Ryan Volk and Dustin Blair.  A motion was made by Randy Reinke, seconded by Rick Schuchardt to accept the votes of the new board members.  All were in favor.  Randy Reinke made a motion to keep Heather Lurz as an alternate for the board of directors.  Seconded by Jane Schuchardt.   James Sousek made an amendment that she would be a non-voting alternate unless someone steps down from the board then she would be a voting member.  Travis Wingate made a motion to accept James Sousek’s amendment, Rick Schuchardt seconded and all were in favor.

2024 International AGMM Zoom conference for February 8, 2024.  We are needing a delegate to attend by Zoom.  Rick Schuchardt made a motion to call out to membership asking someone to attend with expenses paid by OCIA Nebraska.  Seconded by Travis Wingate and all were in favor.

Farm Tour discussion.  It is very difficult to prepare for a tour and very few people come.  Travis Wingate and Larry Stanislav suggested filming tours of our farming operations and putting them on youtube for all to see.  Jane Schuchardt thought UNL students could get school credit by doing the filming, editing and then pay them for their time.  Other suggestions were to hire a professional group and have TOPP grant money to pay the expenses.  Organic farmer would be compensated for their time, also.  Randy Reinke made a motion to look into videotaping organic farmers in action.  Jane Schuchardt seconded and all were in favor. 

A thank you was made to our sponsors and a group picture was taken.

Travis Wingate made a motion to close the meeting and Randy Reinke seconded.  All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted by secretary, Karen Ostry