Board of Directors
Anne Carter, of Virginia, is the General Manager of Natural Harvest Food Co-op.
Jessica Cox, of Cook, has degrees in environmental education, outdoor education, and a certificate in secondary education. She is currently a stay-at-home mom with a small day care and keeps extra busy assisting with the kids at church. She enjoys that serving on the board makes her think differently. “So much of my life revolves around kids and instant decisions that to work on the board gives me a chance to think critically and be a more ‘behind the scenes’ player,” she said, “another reason why I enjoy serving on the board is that rather than ‘this is what he have to do,’ we get to be on the position of ‘this is what we’re doing, come join us!’”
Joyce Giblin, a Virginia native, has been a long-time member of the co-op. She has been a real estate agent, and has also been involved with the Ladies of Kaleva, including originating the first community arts scholarship donated by the Virginia Ladies Kaleva Hall to the Mesabi Range & Technical College. As a member of the board, she hopes to be a visionary and a team member focused on the continued success of Natural Harvest. She recognizes “the importance to provide services desired by the membership and safe products for all customers: foods that are organically raised, unadulterated and unrefined as possible.”
Jim Glancy, of Virginia, has been a co-op member for nearly 30 years and was apart of the great log purchase for the current store’s building construction. He is currently the finance director for AEOA and is also on the board of Camp Chicagami. He enjoys being involved in the community, and has also been involved with the Housing Authority, Arrowhead Center, American Bear Association, Boy Scouts, and the Rotary.
Janna Goerdt, of Embarrass, as the owner of Fat Chicken Farm, and a provider of eggs to the co-op. She is an organic farmer of vegetables, herbs, some fruit, chickens, turkeys, bee keeper and journalist who currently writes for Hometown Focus. Goerdt helped organize the Tower Farmers’ Market in 2009 and is the Vice President of the Embarrass Region Garden Club. She has taught classes in maple syrup making and keeping poultry, and as a journalist has met, interviewed, and solicited stories from many members of the community. As a grower, she brings a valuable perspective to the board. She is interested in building the local farming community.
Karen Lillibridge has degrees in elementary education and early childhood education. She is a substitute teacher in area schools and co-leads the Tower/Soudan “Water Lilies” water aerobics class.
Amy Loiselle, of Zim, and a member of the co-op since 1985, currently works as the Area Hydrologist with MN Department of Natural Resources. She is also on the Board of Directors of Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability since Fall 2009. Amy enjoys gardening, gathering and preserving food for use throughout the year, and is interested in obtaining more of our food locally. She is very interested in learning about and promoting alternative energies and minimizing our ‘footprint,’ while efficiently using our resources. “I value the concept and philosophy of cooperatives as a way to provide quality food and health products. Also I value co-ops as a means to share information and time and resources, including socializing, to promote good health, including caring for and promoting a ‘health’ environment,” she said.
Sharon Olson, of Cherry, has a background in health care, alternative healing and Oriental medicine.
Yvonne Schmidt, of Britt, has worked for the USDA Forest Service for 30 years, currently in Public Information, where among other things, she manages the district BWACAW permit system and does conservation education programs. She volunteers for Earth Fest, loves the outdoors and the changing seasons, and likes to garden, bike, canoe, ski, pick berries, and harvest wild rice.
Jean Young, formerly on the staff of Natural Harvest, possesses a wealth of knowledge about gluten-free and healthy living. She brings her experience in nutrition, nursing and more to benefit the board, and is interested in connecting NHFC with the community.
