The commitment, vision and dedication of our volunteer board members are invaluable to growing and strengthening the organic movement in Iowa. Thank you for sharing your time, talents and commitment to growing awareness and support for organic production and practices.
If you or someone you know is interested in serving on the IOA board and representing organic interests in your community and for Iowa – please email Kristi Kasper for more information.
Dr. Ai Wen, President, Cedar Falls
Ai Wen grew up in the metropolitan area of Beijing, China. She moved to New Jersey for graduate school and received her Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Rutgers in 2010. Currently she is an adjunct professor at University of Northern Iowa in the field of conservation biology. Her research interests focus on wildlife in the agroecosystem. Her specialty is on the interaction between wild animals and human in the agriculture landscape.
Lonica Kufner, Vice President, Fairfield
Lonica has 25+ years of experience working with clients from the USA and, internationally, including CPG food companies, co-manufacturers, brokers, grocery retail stores, e-commerce, technical scientists, farmers and consumers. Having started one of the first organic stores in the country, Lonica's passion has led her to enjoy working with entrepreneurs to help bring more organic products to the market. As a consultant, Lonica's focus is on the area of sustainable business development strategy including organic and non-GMO certification, product development, private label, sourcing, manufacturing, pricing, branding, marketing, retail and food service. Lonica is an avid organic gardener, baker and mother of four.
Jerrod Appenzeller, Treasurer
Eric Madsen, Secretary, Audubon
Eric lives in Audubon, IA and has been involved within organic agriculture for 20 years – as an organic farmer, organic seed dealer and by conducting organic product research with Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI). Currently, he is transitioning 240 acres for his own operation; and the family farm has been certified since 1998 and is either all organic or in transition.
Paul Mugge, Sutherland
Paul Mugge is an organic farmer as well as a winner of the Spencer Award and Master Researcher Award in Iowa. He grew up on the farm where he now lives and works. Paul attended Iowa State University and worked as an engineer before returning to the family farm in 1976. He is a life-long environmentalist and his farm management has been a progression from conventional, to sustainable, to completely organic since 2001. In addition to farming, Paul substitute teaches at a local high school and is active in his local church and many organic, sustainable ag and environmental organizations. He has been married to Karen Mugge for over 40 years and has three children and seven grandchildren.
Dr. Margaret Smith, Hampton
Margaret co-manages a 600 acre organic grain, forage, and livestock farm near Hampton with her husband, Doug. She also works as an agronomist for Albert Lea Seed to market organic and non-GMO seed. Prior to moving to Albert Lea Seed in 2018, she worked for Iowa State University as a Value Added Agriculture Extension Specialist for over 25 years. Her education includes a Masters from Iowa State in Crop Production & Physiology and a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Crop Ecology & Production. Margaret has been involved in a variety of projects from working with African farmers in Uganda and Swaziland, Annie's project, course development and on-farm research.
Sean Stokes, Marion
Noah Wendt, Huxley
Noah and his farm partner, Caleb Akin, started A&W Farms in 2006. Their farm is located near Cambridge, IA. As a farm team, they feed cattle, produce conventional corn and soybeans on 1,100 acres and also grow a variety of organic grain on 1,800 acres. Noah has been active in organizations such as IOA, PFI, Rodale Institute and OFA. He is also part owner of an organic grain elevator in Altoona, IA. Noah owns a farm real estate brokerage and crop insurance agency in Huxley, IA, where he resides with his wife, Erin, and their two children, Harper and Daphne. In his spare time, Noah enjoys working out, attending kid's events, fishing, gardening and boating.
Kenn Yu, Waukee