Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 2025-06-16

OCIA Nebraska Board of Director’s Zoom Meeting

Monday June 16, 2025-7:00 p.m.

Roll Call:  Simeon Mosel, Rick Schuchardt, Karen Ostry, Matt Adams, Andrew Texley and Kim Mosel

Minutes were written by Rick Schuchardt for the March 24, 2025 meeting.  Karen made a motion to approve the minutes and Simeon seconded it.  All approved.

Treasurer’s report:  $42,000 is in checking.  It would be wise to transfer $37,000 to money market account which gives us a 4-5% annual return.  Rick made a motion to move money and seconded by Matt and all were in favor.  From April 1^st to June 11^th, we received $8000 in TOPP funds.  Simeon made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report and seconded by Rick.  All were in favor.

Program Administrator:  We have nine sponsorships for our chapter.  One membership invoice didn’t pay the fine for being a month late.  Rick made a motion to waive the late fee for this year.  Matt seconded and all agreed.  OCIA Nebraska donated to the Nebraska Community Foundation with $200.  Video invoice has not been received by OCIA Nebraska for the work on the organic farming videos that were done.  Andrew and Matt need to make invoices for the conferences they attended in the Spring to represent OCIA Nebraska.

Annual Meeting:  We need someone to take charge to set up.  We are looking at January 10, 2026 at the Mead, NE location.  Matt will look into it.  We also need to be looking for delegates for the board and for the International annual meeting.

Husker Harvest Days’ booth needs an update to make it more appealing to the masses of people that go through the venue.  It was discussed and Karen with her daughter will come up with some plans.

Newsletter is being finalized by Rick and Kim and will be sent out to the membership.  Brochures are being worked on for the booth.  They need to explain how you can be an organic farmer.

There were no applicants for the scholarship this year.  It was viewed and accessed.  We need to contact the FFA advisors to let seniors know about the chance to apply for the scholarship.  Website with link to scholarship needs looking at by Philip Schuchardt. 

EZ texting is going to spam for some members.  The company needs to look into white listing and defaulting.  It was difficult to be approved for it.  Make sure membership is accepting the number.  Text to send pictures for Facebook worked well.

Facebook administrator needed because Genny Mosel has resigned.  It was working well for her.  No one showed any interest in becoming an organic farmer, but people liked the pictures that were posted.  Kim will ask Abbie Mosel to work with the Facebook page.

Genny Mosel is no longer on the board of directors.  We are looking at Jacob Passyka to fill her position till the next annual meeting.  He was a delegate to the AGMM this year.

Farm tours will be Liz Sarno and Larry Stanislav on August 9^th at 10 a.m.  Wagon Wheel Farm on August 23^rd at 5 p.m.  and we are waiting on Ethan and Randy Mosel if they picked out a date for their tour.

Invitation to participate in the Advisory Board for USDA-OREI Panel.  They are looking at nutrient management of soil.  Matt showed interest in joining.

Next meeting will be August 4, 2025 in person at Dusters Restaurant, Columbus at 5:00 p.m. with meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Rick made motion to adjourn and seconded by Matt.  All in favor.

Secretary: Karen Ostry