2026 Board Candidate
Amanda Blackmon
How many hours per month could you realistically commit to board work, including meetings and committee tasks?
6-7 hours a month.
Are there any times of year when your availability might be limited? If yes, please explain.
No.
How familiar are you with cooperative principles and the member-owned model? Please explain.
I am very familiar with cooperative principles and the member-owned model. I have been helping build this co-op from the ground up, including organizing member engagement, managing memberships, and supporting transparent decision-making through agendas, minutes, and clear communication.
Please share an example of supporting local food, sustainability, or community initiatives.
As Village President of Frederic, I work on initiatives that support the long-term health of our community. This grocery co-op project grew directly from listening to local needs. After talking with the current store owners and learning there was no succession plan as they approach retirement, I helped bring people together to create a community-led solution that protects food access and keeps a critical local business in town. I also started a farmers market in Webster through my work at Northwest Passage Gallery, creating a direct outlet for local growers and makers while building community connection. In addition, I serve on the St. Croix Valley Food Alliance board, where I support regional efforts to strengthen local food systems and partnerships with producers.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing a grocery co-op, and how would you approach them?
The biggest challenges are raising enough capital to purchase the store, completing needed renovations, and keeping prices affordable for this community. I would approach these by electing an engaged, working board that is willing to actively support a capital campaign and member investment efforts. Our preferred stock option is a strong tool for attracting larger investments from people who want to support the co-op’s success. Also, I would push for a realistic renovation plan with clear phases, budgets, and timelines so we can control costs and avoid delays. Throughout it all, I would prioritize transparent communication with member-owners and a disciplined plan to protect affordability, because keeping grocery prices accessible is critical for Frederic. I’m encouraged by the community support so far—we’ve already reached more than 140 member-owners in just over a month—which gives us a strong foundation to build from.
If you joined the board, what would you hope to contribute to the co-op’s long-term vision?
If I joined the board, I would help turn the co-op into a long-term community hub—not just a place to buy groceries. I want to see the deli operating again, explore a small coffee option, and expand local produce and locally made products on the shelves. I also see the co-op as a potential learning model over time. In collaboration with the high school or a technical college, we could create opportunities for students and community members to learn about co-op governance, retail operations, and store management. My goal is to help build a co-op that is financially sustainable, welcoming, and strong enough to serve as a model for other small-town grocery stores across the region.
Have you worked with budgets, financial statements, audits, HR, legal, operations, or project management? If yes, please describe.
Yes. I wrote the WEDC grant that helped launch and fund this work, and that award led directly to coordinating with the professional team needed to move the project forward—including our attorney, media firm, and CPA. I also work closely with our fiscal sponsor (the Village of Frederic) and manage key project operations such as membership administration and the steering committee’s meeting structure (agendas, minutes, and follow-up). In addition, I manage all social media and communications for the cooperative. As Village President, I regularly work with professionals on major municipal projects and coordinate day-to-day operations with the Village Clerk, which has strengthened my ability to manage details, timelines, and accountability.
How do you approach decision-making when there is financial or operational risk?
When there is financial or operational risk, I start by gathering the key facts and input from the right people. Then I move forward in a practical way—testing a plan, watching what works and what doesn’t, and making adjustments quickly when something gets stuck. I prefer clear next steps, a simple way to track progress, and regular check-ins so we can adapt early instead of letting small issues become expensive problems.
Do you have any experience in start ups, self-driving fundraising or organizing large fund raising efforts? If yes, please describe.
Yes. This co-op effort is a start-up initiative, and I have led key components of early-stage development—building the steering committee, organizing member engagement, coordinating professional services, and writing the WEDC grant that moved the project forward. I am also a certified grant writer and have fundraising experience with several community organizations, including Northwest Passage, the Frederic Public Library, and the River Valley Hockey Association. This combination of start-up leadership and fundraising experience positions me to help the co-op raise the capital and support it needs to succeed.
Please share an example of disagreeing with a group decision and how you handled it.
In board and community settings, when I disagree, I focus on the shared goal and ask questions to understand the reasoning behind the decision. I share my concerns respectfully, propose an alternative when helpful, and support the final decision once the group has decided then I help implement it.
How do you balance advocating for your perspective with supporting collective decisions?
I speak up when I have a perspective to share, and I try to back it up with facts and what I’m hearing from the community. Once the group makes a decision, I get behind it and help carry it out.
How would you help attract new members or volunteers?
I’d keep using social media and local word-of-mouth to share progress and invite people in. I’d also make it easy to say “yes” by giving folks clear ways to help—like joining a committee, helping at events, doing a membership drive, or connecting us with local producers. When people can see exactly how they can plug in, they’re much more likely to step up.
Do you have local networks or connections that could support the co-op’s growth?
Yes. I serve as Village President of Frederic, sit on the Northwest Alliance Community Foundation board, serve on the St. Croix Valley Food Alliance board, and lead Friends of Gandy Dancer State Trail. These roles give me strong connections across local government, nonprofits, and regional partners that can support outreach, partnerships, and long-term growth.
How do you approach learning new skills or responsibilities outside your expertise?
I’m naturally curious and I love learning. I usually start by getting the key information, then I jump in and test things in real life. If something gets stuck, I problem-solve, ask questions, and make changes until it works.
Are you comfortable asking for guidance when needed?
Yes.
Have you faced an ethical dilemma in a volunteer or professional role?
If so, how did you resolve it?
Yes. When we were first discussing launching this project, I got some pushback from a few people I respect, and I had to think carefully about whether to keep going. I didn’t rush forward, I asked more questions, listened closely, and reached out to a wider group to get a clearer picture of community needs. As I kept talking with people, I found strong encouragement and growing support. That broader input helped me move forward with more confidence and a better sense of consensus.
What would you do if you suspected a board member or staff member was not acting in the co-op’s best interest?
I would start by talking with the person privately to understand what’s going on and make sure I have the facts. If the concern was still there after that conversation, I would document what I’m seeing and follow the co-op’s board process, looping in board leadership as appropriate and supporting a fair, confidential review that protects the co-op and the integrity of the board.
Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
I grew up in Frederic, spent time living in larger cities, and moved back to raise my sons here. I’m invested in Frederic’s long-term success and I believe this co-op can be a big part of that. I’ve been leading the project since the beginning, organizing the steering committee, managing memberships and communications, coordinating with our professional partners and fiscal sponsor, and working with the current store owner. In a world that feels chaotic at times, I try to focus on what I can do locally: show up, listen, and keep moving forward in ways that strengthen our community.