Deb Russell

Statement of Candidacy

Why do you want to serve on the Wheatsfield Board of Directors?

I love Wheatsfield for the wonderful food and for the atmosphere of friendly personal service. It
provides quality products without a large-scale space. Shopping there is a pleasant experience
from first entering the building to checking out. Everyone is pleasant and courteous. Serving on
the board has increased my trust in how products are sourced and how the organization is
managed. I believe my financial and communication skills as well as experience working with
other boards are of value. Since I’ve retired, I want to give back to the community.

Please describe any skills or experience (such as financial literacy, legal, strategic planning, communications, etc.) that you would bring to the Wheatsfield Board of Directors.

During my career as a Certified Public Accountant, I spent ten years in public accounting, gaining experience with many different types of businesses. After that I was Chief Financial Officer for three organizations: Opportunity Living, Friendship Haven and Northcrest Community. I was directly involved in strategic planning, building projects, financing, human resources, and working with boards. I’ve served in state and local organizations including being president of Daybreak Rotary in Fort Dodge, treasurer of LeadingAge Iowa, boards of Alzheimer’s Association, Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, and Ames Noon Kiwanis. I prepare tax returns at the library through VITA.

What are your hopes for the future of Wheatsfield and its role in the community?

I hope to see Wheatsfield continue its unique and significant role in our community. It is more than a grocery store! I hope to see that it is able to maintain the financial strength necessary to provide quality products and excellent service to its customers. I hope it will continue to be a good employer where people know they are valued for the work they do. I hope it will become more well-known and attract more customers. I hope it will continue its educational offerings to
community members.

Please share anything about yourself including hobbies, passions, family members, etc.

I love to cook using organic products and trying out new recipes. Gardening and bicycling are my main hobbies. I grew up on a farm and love animals and being outdoors. We have two dogs and two cats, all rescued from local shelters. My husband retired as business manager for a pipe organ builder in Lake City. I have two sons and one grandson who live in Ames. I am a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association and help with The Memory Cafe here in Ames.

Sarah Huffman

Statement of Candidacy

Why do you want to serve on the Wheatsfield Board of Directors?

I see Wheatsfield as a valuable community resource, a grocery store, a friendly gathering space, and all-around welcoming environment for everyone in Ames. I have long had an interest in and passion for locally grown, sustainably sourced food, have spent years volunteering at and supporting local farms and environmental organizations, and even served as a volunteer on Wheatsfield’s Education and Outreach Committee. Wheatsfield is
a place to be celebrated, and I am proud to be a member. I frequent Wheatsfield with friends and
family so much that I want to give back in a meaningful and dedicated way.

Please describe any skills or experience (such as financial literacy, legal, strategic planning, communications, etc.) that you would bring to the Wheatsfield Board of Directors.

I will continue to bring strong organizational and administrative skills to the board. I direct operations and logistics in programming for ISU grad students and postdocs seeking communication development skills from the center I work for on campus. I am very much a people person and enjoy interacting with members of our community from all walks of life. I will also continue to bring strong communication skills to the board. I instruct research writing and science
communication courses to graduate students at ISU, so have much experience creating messaging for a range of audiences.

What are your hopes for the future of Wheatsfield and its role in the community?

I took over a board member’s position earlier in 2024 and am excited to continue to learn about the operations and outreach at Wheatsfield. I want to be a part of seeing that grow. When I speak about Wheatsfield to friends and co-workers, however, some are unfamiliar that it exists. I’d like to see more people in Ames know about Wheatsfield. It would also be great to better profile the ways in which Wheatsfield supports its local community artists, farmers, artisans, musicians, non-profits, and citizens. Wheatsfield gives so much, but sometimes that isn’t always visible to those who support the co-op.

Please share anything about yourself including hobbies, passions, family members, etc.

I came to Ames 16 years ago for graduate school and stayed post-graduation because of the strong sense of a community I felt and many positive friendships I had established. I strongly believe in giving back to my world in whatever way I can. I enjoy volunteering, have served on the board of the Volunteer Center of Story County, and have volunteered at Wheatsfield many times over the years. I am the mother of a young child, and my husband and I feel lucky to live within biking/walking distance to local gems like Wheatsfield, Roosevelt and Brookside Parks, and downtown.

Lindsay Simpson

Statement of Candidacy

Why do you want to serve on the Wheatsfield Board of Directors?

There are many places to buy food, but Wheatsfield is special because it’s a place where we all can gather, learn, and make informed decisions about our food culture. There is something for everyone at the Co-op: every kind of eater and person is welcome. I hope to serve as a board member by organizing more community events. Sharing colorful food, offering free or low-cost collaborative educational opportunities, meeting and deepening
relationships with neighbors, and expanding partnerships with local producers who work hard to feed us is some of what Wheatsfield does best.

Please describe any skills or experience (such as financial literacy, legal, strategic planning, communications, etc.) that you would bring to the Wheatsfield Board of Directors.

I am a skilled writer, communicator, strategic planner, and collaborator. I have served thousands of students since 2012 as a professor and department head of English and Literature at Des Moines Area Community College. I am flexible and work well with many kinds of personalities. I have a deep interest in cooking and growing food, and I currently volunteer at Root to Rise farm in Ames. My favorite part of that experience has been interacting with customers and curious cooks at the Saturday Farmers’ Market in Ames.

What are your hopes for the future of Wheatsfield and its role in the community?

I hope Wheatsfield can continue to support local partners while keeping cost to customers in mind. I have benefited from many events over the years (e.g. composting, Mustard Seed Farm’s garden start, etc.) and would like to see the Co-op continue those efforts. Bringing in more opportunities for young people in Ames (perhaps through service opportunities) would also be lovely.

Please share anything about yourself including hobbies, passions, family members, etc.

I am an avid cook and gardener, as well as an amateur potter. This summer I have been obsessed with my dahlias. My favorite part about living in Ames is the connections I’ve developed with people all over town. Intergenerational friendships are important to me, as are meeting and eating with people I love. I live a skip and a hop away from the Co-op with my two children (Lucia and Ansel), partner, and dog.

Barb Fleege

Statement of Candidacy

Why do you want to serve on the Wheatsfield Board of Directors?

My skills that I bring to the table are: I am a retired Occupational Therapist after 39 years in the profession. The type of work I did allowed me to learn the needs of individuals aged from infants to geriatric persons. I am currently serving on the board of Trustees at Collegiate Presbyterian Church. The position is a 3 year commitment and I am in my second year. Trustees are involved with the church building’s needs and operate with a budget.

What are your hopes for the future of Wheatsfield and its role in the community?

My hopes for the future of Wheatsfield are to increase socialization opportunities for senior citizens to share involvement with healthy food, nutrition, education. I would like to recommend a crosswalk between the store and crossing of the street to allow increased safety for getting to and from the bus stop. There is a blind spot for drivers traveling west of Main Street onto Northwestern.

Please share anything about yourself including hobbies, passions, family members, etc.

My hobbies are walking my dog, traveling, golf, hiking, bowling, being with family and friends. My 8 year old granddaughter came to Ames for a week long visit. We stopped at Wheatsfield for meals 3 times. She loved the split pea soup , broccoli cheddar soup and salad bar. We also enjoyed the functional cash register and store set up in the play area. I have two sons that are ISU graduates. I am a new widow after 40 years of marriage. This is my second time living in Ames. The first was from 2006 to 2013. Currently I have been living here since 2021.