Word from the Board
June 2025
By Sarah Huffman
If you’re like me, Wheatsfield isn’t just a place where you shop, but a space where community is built. Whether you’re taking classes in the Co-Op Community Room, grabbing coffee and chatting with a friend, sampling delicious wine and cheese, viewing art exhibitions in the dining area, or participating in one of the monthly events or quarterly Member Appreciation Days, you’re bolstering our local economy and creating vital touchpoints that establish a sense of belonging for yourself and others in our community. And there’s no better time to celebrate this vibrant community than the beginning of summer!
Celebrating Community with Summer Co-op Events
The start of summer brings so many of my favorite times at the co-op. Our family regularly attends the Friday evening Tiny Deck concerts (starting the Friday after July 4th), where we meet up with friends, grab drinks and a picnic supper, and listen to local musicians playing on the Wheatsfield patio. On a stroll home from the Saturday morning Farmer’s Market, there’s no better place than Wheatsfield to grab lunch and do some weekend shopping. We look forward to June’s Member Appreciation Day (June 14th), which will feature fun activities for kids, more deals for members, and tasty food or drink samples. And later in the day on June 14th, we’ll head to the Juneteenth Celebration at Bandshell Park, where Wheatsfield will host a booth and join the Ames NAACP in a joyful summer celebration of African American culture. So much on the calendar and the month has barely begun!
On Sunday, June 22nd, we will be closing the co-op early for a Passing of the Torch Celebration in honor of outgoing General Manager, Linda Johnson and incoming CEO, Stacey Brown. We look forward to coming together in friendship and community to share stories, memories, and heartfelt gratitude for two inspiring women who have shaped Wheatsfield’s story.
Considering Leadership in the Wheatsfield Community
Part of sustaining our beloved co-op community involves a time and energy investment of a group of Wheatsfield members who have been elected to serve on the Board of Directors. As is the case with other boards of member-owned co-ops, Wheatsfield Board members have a deeper understanding of the functioning of the co-op, meeting monthly to establish and revise organizational policy, oversee the work of the general manager, survey the co-op’s financials, and create the vision for Wheatsfield’s future.
This upcoming fall, three Wheatsfield Board of Directors’ seats are up for election. If you’ve ever considered giving back to Wheatsfield in a meaningful way, now is your chance! We’re accepting applications through August 11th, so make sure to complete one online or in person soon. Becoming a Board member is so rewarding and an excellent way to give back to a community that has given so much to you.
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