Volunteer Leader: Jim Luckstead

Tell us about yourself!

I am a farmer raising corn, beans, alfalfa and oats and managing a 130 cow/calf herd just south of Amber and north of Olin. We also do custom farming. I am different ­– I look at things from a different perspective. I donate my time to various organizations because I like to see how they work and I get to meet new and different people. Sometimes you might even see me preaching on Sunday morning. I've been married to Jacki for 43 years. We have three children and four grandchildren, and enjoy visiting, playing, and exploring  with them when possible.

When and why did you join the Foundation board?

I was asked to replace a member on the board to finish her term. Now I am on my second term. It is really hard to balance farming and serving on a board; they both take time, but I think they give you a different view on how things in the community function.

What inspires you to keep serving? 

I think the Foundation board is diverse and does a good job volunteering their time. I have met some neat people and learned how the Foundation works.

What’s the most memorable grant awarded or impact made by the Foundation during your tenure? 

I really enjoy discussing and scoring grants. I like projects that reach both local residents and bring people into our county. Some highlights for me include our support of the Grant Wood Trail and grants to the Central Park restoration project and story walk. For the last several years our board has placed special emphasis on grant applications that impact early child reading comprehension, including our area chapter of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and Every Child Reads – Jones County.