Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 2025-03-24

OCIA Nebraska Board Zoom Meeting on March 24, 2025

Meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm.

Attending: Rick Schuchardt, Andrew Texley, Kim Mosel, Matt Adams, Jacob Passyka, and Simeon Mosel (late arrival)

Minutes of the November 11/4/2024 and December 2, 2024 were read by Kim Mosel since we have several new Board members (Andrew and Matt). Refer to the meeting minutes on the OCIA Nebraska website. Board has acted on all of the items discussed at these Board meetings.

Treasurer’s Report by Matt Adams: Matt presented a budget spreadsheet projection for 2025. Matt provided screen sharing for all participants to see the spreadsheet. TOPPs grant income is our biggest income to review, the 1^st Qrt grant amount is expected to be around $10,000. Video production costs were reduced, advertising and conference expense were adjusted. Discussion about limiting labor cost for shows and conferences to 8 hrs. per day at $30 for a total $240 per day. Matt noted that spreadsheet calculations shows us we are overspending by $8,500 this year if the Chapter doesn’t receive more TOPP funding. Board discussed that the Chapter is in good overall financial standing. Matt will need to get ahold of Travis to get the information on our money market account with a financial organization in Neligh.  Rick made a motion to approve the Treasurers Report, Andrew seconded and all approved.

Program Administrator’s Report by Kim:  The Chapter has 55 paid members to date, 6 unpaid members with $10 late fees added each month, and another 6 operations elected not to join this year with one file review. The Chapter had 69 members last year. Kim filed the Chapter’s Biennial report with the Nebraska Secretary of State. She is also keeping current with OCIA International and receiving calls from operators. Kim also discussed the reasons why some operations didn’t renew. There was some discussion by the Board about interactions with OCIA International personnel in getting certified last year. OCIA downsized their staff with other staffing changes along with moving to a different smaller office space may have caused some communication issues. Rick discussed the possibility for the Board to be more proactive with Chapter members by personally calling them and asking them if they have any issues with the Board or OCIA International in their certification process.

Annual Meeting Comments:  Discussion for $50 credit verses mileage for attending the annual meetings. Nothing was decided. Discussion about rotating meeting locations between Norfolk and Columbus (or further south). Board needs to identify few more ways to increase annual meeting attendance.  Wahoo has a facility on the lake and the UNL Eastern Research facilities in Ithica. Use more Zoom technology at the annual meetings. Matt is located in Seward, so he agreed to look around for possible meeting space for January 2026.

Jacob reported on OCIA International AGMM Report:  By-laws were updated and mostly adjusting the language in the document. There was a 5% increase in acreage fees with an expected goal of 835 members, most fees come from grain farmers. OCIA International moved to new smaller space facilities which should reduce the maintenance and operations costs by 50 percent. Jacob also discussed thistle research and a potato studies. We need to call Chelse at OCIA International about attending the Nebraska shows using TOPP funding. Funding is about the same as last year.

Chapter Trifold Report:  Rick need to connect with Genny on this.

TOPP Reporting:  Rick needs a trip / conference report for the UNL Soil Health Conferences from Andrew and Matt.

Hasting UNL NE Soil Health Conference by Matt Adams. Attendance was about 75 people. Topics included standard soil health principles; cover crops and no-till. Breakout sessions covered soybean fertility and analyzing soil color to determine organic matter.

A handful of attendees visited the booth. We had about ten conversations and some of those took pamphlets and other information. One producer was interested and wanted to be contacted to discuss further.

All of the exhibitors were given a chance to address the crowd. I explained what OCIA is, and that I do my personal organic certification with them and that they make it relatively easy to certify. I also mentioned that OCIA is involved with administering the TOPP program, and implored anybody who's interested to stop by and get more information.

We were somewhat disappointed by the low number of organic producers attending the event and/or those who stopped by the booth. This may not be a cost-effective event to attend in the future.

West Point UNL NE Soil Health Conference Notes by Andrew Texley: Very good turn out with about 75 regional producers ~ topics covered were cover crops, lowering inputs, big promotion of no till, and the development of AI integrated farm equipment and what that potentially means for the future of Agriculture. Quite a few resources and materials were taken from the OCIA booth, although not a lot of producers signed up. There was some interest from a person involved with produce production through an urban farming non-profit in Omaha. I think that if there is a desire to get more members, we should try to make more connections with producers who are more involved with direct-to-consumer small scale non-commodity-based agriculture, particularly in urban settings.

Kim needs their expenses. Rick reported on his experience at the Ag Expo in Lincoln.

Video Plans:  The SOE video in almost finished using container and/or trailer tagging. Other video ideas are the USDA Integrity Database and buffer zones plus the oat production and marketing presentations at the annual meeting.

Annual Farm Tours for 2025 possibly at the Ethan and Randy Mosel farm on corn production. Kim will send out a text out to the membership about this.

Show displays: Genny had ideas on updating our displays at the shows.

2025 Event Dates were reviewed and are all posted on the OCIA Nebraska website. Rick needs to check on Ag Expo information for Kim. Andrew discussed possibly have a booth at urban farm markets in Omaha, etc.

There have been no scholarships received to date. There may be applications coming in late especially if they used last year’s April 1 application deadline. More discussion and another Zoom meeting maybe needed if we receive applications.

Simon read the background information about the Dan Gillispie Fund. Letter asking for financial support from OCIA. Some discussion about contributing a small amount to the fund with matching funds with OCIA International possibly contributing annually. We need to check with OCIA International to see if they are contributing to the fund. Fund has grown to over $100,000. Kim to check with Amanda.

Facebook activities: Not much going on.

National Organic Coalition:  An email received by the chapter as they reached out to each operator about the USDA funding freeze. Kim reviewed the email and the link to take action because the NOP may also be at risk. Contact your local representative about this for individual follow-up. Andrew talked about Joel Salatin, Polyface Farm, Swoope, VA., who an USDA advisor is maybe another good contact.

 Polyface, Inc.

43 Pure Meadows Lane

Swoope, VA 24479 USA

General email - Wendy@polyfacefarm.com

Joel Salatin contact:

https://www.thelunaticfarmer.com/contact

Matt made a motion for the Board to send out a text message with this link to encourage them to contact their representatives about this. Motion seconded by Andrew. All approved.

There was some discussion about Easy Texting going into spam folders!

Next Board zoom meeting date is June 16,2025 at 7 PM.

Meeting adjournment at 9:15 PM.

Prepared by Rick Schuchardt, Vice President.