2024 Annual Meeting Minutes

OCIA Nebraska Annual Meeting

Saturday January 4, 2025

Elkhorn Lodge at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park

2201 S 13^th Street

Norfolk, NE 68701

The meeting was called to order by President, Simeon Mosel at 10:04 a.m.

Meeting minutes were read by secretary, Karen Ostry.  A motion was made by Travis Wingate to approve, seconded by Randy Mosel and all approved.

Treasurer’s report was read by treasurer, Travis Wingate in time from the last report, 10/17/2024 to 1/2/2025.  Expenses were wages/mileage:  $5,394.30; show/booth reimbursements and compensation:  $1,266.76; Advertising:  $150.00; supplies:  $613.86; Sponsorship:  $250.00; website labor:  $281.50; promotional items:  $3.43.  Income was TOPPS Grant:  $12,000.00

Expenses for 2024 totaled $24,989.18

Income for 2024 totaled $35,804.00

OCIA Nebraska checking account as of 1/1/2025 total of $28,633.56.

LPL Financial Money Market value of $55,013.70, end of year statement not received by time of this report.  It is earning 5 ½% interest at this time.

Projections for 2025 are an income of $15,000.00 and Expenses of $15,000.00.  There is one more year that we can earn the TOPP Grant money. 

Motion was made by Jane Schuchardt to accept the treasurer’s report, seconded by Jake Passyka and all were in favor.

Program Administrator’s report was by Kim Mosel.  There was work on newsletter with board member Genny Mosel.  There are 9 sponsors on our website.  There are four new members to OCIA Nebraska.  She reminded members to work on their OSP paperwork and get it sent in a timely manner.  The board of directors met 6 times this past year.  There are scholarships available to high school seniors’ entering college in organic studies and if anyone needs help filling out the paperwork for the scholarship let her know.  The 2025 fee schedule was read by the president and that there will be a $10.00 late fee charge for each month that the OSP paperwork is late.  Travis Wingate made a motion to approve of the Program Administrator’s report, seconded by Larry Stanislav and motion carried.

Election of two new board members:  Andrew Texley from Albion, NE and Matt Adams from Seward, NE.

2025 International AGMM will be on February 12, 2025 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  Jake Passyka offered to go to the meeting as our representative for OCIA Nebraska with expenses paid for by our chapter.

Facebook is managed by Kim Mosel.  She is looking for someone to put more effort into it.  Right now, we have 208 likes and 245 followings with more outside followers than membership.

Farm tours are needed to help educate farmers and families on the importance of organic farming.  Thank you to Larry Stanislav for his virtual farm tours this past year that are on our website for the viewing.  Kim Mosel presented him with a certificate of appreciation. 

TOPP Program is getting the word out at conferences and gathering farmers in to help them transition to organic.  We have 5 agriculture expos in Nebraska where we make our presence known to farmers.  Husker Harvest Day booth is in need of looking better to draw potential farmers to the table.

A big thank you went to our sponsors for OCIA Nebraska and to the Board of Director members for the extra work they do for the chapter.  A group photo was taken.

Adjournment at 11:00a.m. with a motion by Travis Wingate, seconded by Dustin Blair and everyone in favor. 

During lunch Larry Stanislav’s videos were shown.

He was given $500.00 for his participation in the production of the farm videos.

Respectfully submitted by Karen Ostry, secretary