Seward Community Co-op

Jack Roessler

High School Agricultural Teacher, he/him

I am running for Seward Community Co-op’s Board of Directors because I believe a strong food system should connect the community, workers, growers, and the environment in ways that allow all of them to thrive. As a high school agricultural education teacher, I help students understand where food comes from, how it is produced, and why long-term sustainability matters. I want to bring that same commitment to Seward Co-op while helping protect what makes the co-op an essential community institution.

My experience as an educator has taught me to listen, communicate clearly, consider different perspectives, and turn shared goals into practical action. I also previously served as the teacher representative on the board of the charter school where I previously worked. In that role, I gained experience representing others, reviewing complex stakeholder issues, and making decisions with the organization’s mission and long-term financial health in mind.

To me, collaboration means entering conversations prepared to listen and learn, especially from people whose experiences differ from my own. It also means asking thoughtful questions, communicating honestly, and working toward decisions that people understand, even when priorities compete.

As a proud union member, I would champion Seward Co-op’s workers and support practices that provide fair compensation, respect, and a meaningful voice in decisions. I would also consider the needs of small and local growers, co-op owners, shoppers, and neighbors who need affordable access to high-quality food. Equitable outcomes require examining who benefits, who carries the burden, and whose voice may be missing.

Over the next ten years, I envision Seward Community Co-op deepening its role as a trusted community hub for local food, education, environmental responsibility, and economic fairness. I would contribute to the Ends Statement by supporting responsible environmental practices, stronger relationships with local producers, inclusive community engagement, and careful decisions that balance fair worker compensation, fair prices for growers, affordability for shoppers, and the co-op’s long-term financial strength.