Becky Mattan Pratt

Statement of Candidacy

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

I am passionate about sustainability, gardening and cooking. This board position would allow me to further explore these passions while adding value through my financial services background. I am excited about  the opportunity to cultivate healthy environments and lifestyles. I know I feel better when I cook my meals with local and organic ingredients. I would like to share this experience as well as help expand the availability of healthy, local, sustainably produced food.

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 qualified financial expert and nationally recognized governance, risk and compliance professional with broad experience in banking. I am in the process of completing a program to earn a Certificate in Risk Governance through the Directors & Chief Risk Officers (DCRO) Risk Governance Institute with the intention of becoming a Qualified Risk Director. I regularly advise financial services clients in both strategy and operations. I adapt quickly to change and have held leadership roles in both small and large organizations. I have a history of successfully leading through crisis, as well as overseeing change management and large projects.

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

Further strengthen Wheatsfield’s role and continue on the path of cultivating a healthy environment and socially just community while exhibiting core values and principles. Areas of interest regarding future include education and outreach, sustainability, enhancing cooperation among cooperatives, democratic control, and commitment to community.

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

My family is from Illinois, yet I have lived in Iowa most of my life. My grandfather was a dairy and row crop farmer who was committed to sustainability. He and my grandmother passed their beliefs and practices down through subsequent generations. I still draw on what I learned from them in my cooking and gardening today. I graduated from ISU with an Accounting degree and remained in Ames until I married. I currently reside in Boone with my husband, Jim and our two pups, Siku and Denali. We are avid bicyclists and participate in the Ames Velo cycling club.

Cal Rebhuhn

Statement of Candidacy

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

Having lived in Iowa my entire life, whether on the farm or here in Ames, I’ve never been far from agriculture. Principles such as sustainable and ethical food production have always been near and dear to me, and Wheatsfield embodies the best of them. I’m proud to be a member, and in serving wish to contribute to our coop’s continued success.

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 have an academic and a professional background in written communication from my undergraduate degree at ISU and in my time working at Ortho2, respectively.

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

One of my favorite parts of the most recent expansion is the kitchen/learning area.  I would love to see growth in classes and outreach utilizing this space in the future, when it’s deemed safe to do so.

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

My wife and I are both passionate about sustainable agriculture, animal welfare, and preserving our natural environment. In 2020, we purchased an acreage on which we’ve been establishing Terrier Tough Farm, an organic-practice produce and ethical livestock operation . My wife, Dr. Carly Kanipe DVM, is also a veterinarian and animal rescue work is an important part of our daily lives.

More personally, I have been a drummer in multiple musical groups for several years in Ames. Most recently, I have the pleasure of performing with The Cautionaries and with Fred Love.

Emilie Ruehs

Statement of Candidacy

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

I am passionate about ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to experience the joy, creativity, and excitement for food that I do. Wheatsfield promotes an environment focused in knowledge, connection, development, and community. As a recent college graduate who moved to Ames, I quickly found comfort in the accessibility of the Co-op. As a recently returned resident, I am happy to see the growth and central community focus that Wheatsfield has developed into; and cannot wait to become part of the future of the Co-op.

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. 

Through my professional background as a rehabilitation counselor I have a strong skillset based in communication that includes crisis management, de-escalation, policy implementation, interacting with diverse populations, group management, and classroom instruction.

Additionally, as a member of the Fourth Plan Forward Advisory Committee I have experience in strategic planning for affordable housing, grant moderation, and community engagement.

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

My hopes are for Wheatsfield to become a community staple. For it to draw in people from different backgrounds. To encourage conversations about creating a better world through support of local growers and makers. To expand ideas around what future food production can look like for Ames and Iowa alike.

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

After spending 6 years living in the PNW, I returned in 2020 to make Ames home. I love anything and everything related to food. I have an extensive cookbook collection, love craft beer and locally roasted coffee, and am an avid baker (who likes the challenge of veganzing whatever possible). I enjoy trail running and can often be found somewhere at McFarland Park or Ada Hayden. I may also have a very healthy addiction to Acai bowls.

Derek Franklin

Student Board Member
Statement of Candidacy

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

Wheatsfield stands out because of its commitment to environmentally and socially just practices and the legitimate quality of its products. I appreciate that Wheatsfield has a kitchen for cooking classes, as I am all-too-aware that learning how to cook healthy and good food takes time, energy, and usually incorporates a learning curve. Serving this community would be an honor, and I also look forward to learning more about this sector of the food system.

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. 

A unique experience I bring with me to Wheatsfield is my time as an AmeriCorps member, serving as an outdoor educator and garden manager with the Kirksville, MO, School District. The crux of this initiative was to introduce vegetables to elementary-aged students through participation in the school garden. This resulted in many stories of students trying/liking vegetables that they’d help to plant, take care of, and/or harvest. I also led an initiative to engage the local community via food demonstrations at the farmers market, where we would prepare dishes featuring in-season produce and hand out free samples and recipe cards.

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

I hope to see Wheatsfield continue on its current trajectory of growth, and to better understand how its resources such as the teaching kitchen are currently utilized and could be used in future endeavors. I could imagine Wheatsfield partnering with local schools for earth day functions/activities and also more graduate student involvement; Wheatsfield aligns so well with ideals and goals of the sociology department, for example, yet not many sociology graduate students are aware of this.

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

I love being outside with my family, and oftentimes that takes the form of gardening, hunting or hiking. Reading is also a favorite activity, along with playing board games.