{"id":961,"date":"2022-05-02T17:14:29","date_gmt":"2022-05-02T17:14:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.grainplacefoundation.org\/?page_id=961"},"modified":"2026-04-16T14:08:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T14:08:19","slug":"our-board","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.grainplacefoundation.org\/espanol\/about\/our-board\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Board"},"content":{"rendered":"

Molly Vetter<\/span><\/h2>Molly Vetter serves as the Senior Pastor of Westwood United Methodist Church in Los Angeles. She is an alumna of Boston University (BA) and the Claremont School of Theology (MDiv). She has served in a variety of leadership roles in the church and community, including as a Director of the General Board of Church and Society of the UMC, and a Retreat Leader for the Upper Room Two Year Academy for Spiritual Formation. Molly is a shareholder in Grain Place Farm and has contributed shares to Grain Place Foundation. Since growing up in Nebraska, she has always lived in town, but has a lifetime of memories of family gatherings on the Grain Place farm.<\/div>
<\/div>
\"molly-vetter-resize.png\"<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Tim Crank<\/span><\/h2>\n
Tim Crank brings experience in strategy, partnerships, and messaging, with a focus on helping organizations grow and connect with their audiences. He was drawn to the Grain Place Foundation by its commitment to healthy soil and the belief that better soil leads to stronger food systems and healthier communities. His work on the board centers on fundraising, strategic direction, and building partnerships that support the Foundation\u2019s long-term impact. He has also been involved in community and idea-driven initiatives, including TEDx and the Consumer Impact Summit, reflecting a broader interest in connecting people and ideas for positive change. Tim focuses on supporting the work of the Vetter farm and helping extend its reach to more people.<\/div>\n<\/div>
<\/div>
\"2026_Tim-Crank_Headshots_Resized.jpg\"<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Jane Coghlan<\/span><\/h2>As the first intern on the Vetter farm, Jane became fascinated with the connection between the health of our soil, ecosystems, and communities. This transformational experience inspired her to pursue a career in sustainable food systems and continue supporting the Grain Place Foundation as a board member. She holds a BS and MS in Sustainable Food Systems, a Graduate Certificate in Food Policy and Sustainability Leadership, and a minor in Nutrition and Healthy Living. Jane currently works as a Senior Communications Specialist at Arizona State University\u2019s Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems, where she leads stakeholder engagement strategies and communications for the Center’s research, education, and policy initiatives. She also brings agricultural policy expertise from her time as an intern with the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Learn more about Jane\u2019s experiences with the Grain Place aqu\u00ed<\/a>.<\/div>
<\/div>
\"Jane-Coghlan.jpg\"<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Charles Francis<\/span><\/h2>Charles Francis is a retired Professor of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska \u2014 Lincoln, and Visiting Professor of Agroecology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences. His degrees are from Univ California \u2014 Davis (B.S.) and Cornell Univ. (M.S. and Ph.D.), and he has worked in Philippines, Colombia, and Norway. He directed a dryland agriculture program in Morocco (1982-1984), initiated the international program for Rodale Institute (1984-85), and was director of the Center for Sustainable Agricultural Systems at UNL (1990-2000). He was on the board of directors of The Land Institute, Salina, Kansas for 15 years, and has been active with Center for Rural Affairs in Nebraska. He has held research, teaching, extension and administrative positions at UNL from 1977 to present. He is author of 200 reviewed journal articles, 80 book chapters, 8 books, and numerous proceedings and workshops publications. His research interests are in long-term cropping and farming systems, local food systems, peri-urban farming, and crop rotations; teaching includes agroecology, organic farming, urbanization of rural landscapes, international seminars, and land grabs in the global south.<\/div>
<\/div>
\"Chuck-Francis.jpg\"<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

David Vetter<\/span><\/h2>(Ex-Officio Board Member; CEO of Grain Place Foods) <\/em>David Vetter has been living an ongoing experiment in how to grow food in a way that is both regenerative to the soil and economically viable for the people who farm, since 1975. His steadfast commitment has driven him on, past innumerable challenges and obstacles. He has always had a vision for success that\u2019s broader than his own self, which led him to develop an infrastructure for the marketing of organic grains in our area. He originally pursued a call to missionary service after college, which eventually led him back home to the family farm to try out methods of farming that would improve the quality of the soil. When Rodale Institute named him an Organic Pioneer in 2016, they shared more details of\u00a0his inspiring story<\/a>. David has lived on the farm since 1975.\u00a0 With his late wife, Rogean, he raised his three children there: Allison, Darci and Madison.<\/div>
<\/div>
\"David-Vetter.jpg\"<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

David Meyer<\/span><\/h2>David Meyer grew up on a farm in northeast Nebraska where he developed a deep appreciation for the soil and those who tend it.\u00a0 He is familiar with local agriculture having lived and been active in Hamilton County for many years before being relocated by this work.\u00a0 He brings a different perspective to our board having served 36 years with Dow Agro Sciences (Corteva).\u00a0 He is a trained plant breeder who has worked all over the world. He states, \u201c<\/em>I believe that soils and a healthy ecosystem must have more emphasis and focus. I fully believe that there is a balance between production and sustainability. I believe that there is a rich and robust middle ground between organic Ag and industrialized Ag and the farming community has much to gain by them working more together instead of in a polarized way.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>Dave also brings a wealth of experience having worked with local and international non-profit organizations. He serves as our Foundation President.<\/div>
<\/div>
\"2025-Head-shotsq.jpg\"<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Chuck Porter<\/span><\/h2>Chuck has a masters degree in religious communications from United Theological Seminary (UTS) in Dayton Ohio, the institution where he first became acquainted with David Vetter as David is a graduate of that same institution. Long inspired by Wendell Berry, Wes Jackson, Fred Kirschenmann, and many others, Chuck has also counted Don and Dave Vetter as humble, steadfast visionaries to whom he owes a debt of gratitude. Being a member of the Grain Place Foundation board has allowed Chuck a closer connection to the Vetter family and to their inspiring commitment to the family farm. Chuck also serves as the president of Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light, and professionally, he is on the Nebraska East Area staff of NRCS as a Civil Engineering Technician.<\/div>
<\/div>
\"Chuck_Porter_Photo_2025.jpg\"<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Allison Vetter<\/span><\/h2>Allison Vetter serves as the Project Director of Agriculture, Finance, and Asset Protection (AgFTAP<\/a>), a national education program of the Southern Risk Management Center at the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture. She is an alumna of Doane University in Crete, NE and received her master\u2019s and Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Before joining the University of Arkansas, she was an Associate Professor (tenured) of sociology at Henderson State University (Arkadelphia, AR) and has served as Title IX Coordinator at institutions in Arkansas and Wisconsin. She has served on boards of several non-profit organizations in the arts, education, and women\u2019s issues. Allison is a shareholder in Grain Place Farm and has contributed shares to Grain Place Foundation. She was raised on the farm and continues to have an active interest its operations, currently serving as Secretary of the Board.<\/div>
<\/div>
\"allison.jpg\"<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Glenda Vetter<\/span><\/h2>Glenda Vetter is a retired Social Worker from Grand Island, NE having served as a school social worker, hospital social worker and in private counseling practice.\u00a0 \u00a0She spent part of her childhood on the farm that became the Grain Place.\u00a0 She and her husband, Charlie Ponec, have devoted much volunteer time helping develop the Grain Place, including planting many trees, keeping bees on the property, and assisting with care of the buildings.\u00a0 She is a current shareholder of the Grain Place and has pledged to contribute shares to Grain Place Foundation.<\/div>
<\/div>
\"Glenda<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Jay Vetter<\/span><\/h2>Jay Vetter is a retired United Methodist Pastor who spent 42 years serving congregations in Nebraska.\u00a0 He spent part of his childhood on the farm that would become the Grain Place.\u00a0 He has served on many non-profit boards in several Nebraska Communities.\u00a0 He is a current shareholder of Grain Place and has pledged to contribute shares to Grain Place Foundation.\u00a0 He serves as volunteer Executive Director.<\/div>
<\/div>
\"JayVetter.jpg\"<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Kathleen Delate<\/span><\/h2>Kathleen Delate is a Professor of Organic Agriculture at Iowa State University where she has served for the past 20 year. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of California-Berkeley, 1991, a Master of Science degree from the University of Florida, 1986, and a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Florida, 1977. She has over 35 years of organic ag experience on-farm and at Universities. She has received many awards for her work including being named Rodale Institute Organic Pioneer in 2017. She has been active in many public and private groups related to organic, sustainable, and regenerative agriculture including currently serving as a member of the Organic Trade Association\u2019s Organic Center Advisory Board.<\/div>
<\/div>
\"KathleenDelate.png\"<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Molly VetterMolly Vetter serves as the Senior Pastor of Westwood United Methodist Church in Los Angeles. She is an alumna of Boston University (BA) and the Claremont School of Theology (MDiv). She has served in a variety of leadership roles in the church and community, including as a Director of the General Board of Church...","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":238,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-961","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"," nt-post-class"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grainplacefoundation.org\/espanol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/961","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grainplacefoundation.org\/espanol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grainplacefoundation.org\/espanol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grainplacefoundation.org\/espanol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grainplacefoundation.org\/espanol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=961"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/www.grainplacefoundation.org\/espanol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/961\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1096,"href":"https:\/\/www.grainplacefoundation.org\/espanol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/961\/revisions\/1096"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grainplacefoundation.org\/espanol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grainplacefoundation.org\/espanol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}