Our Board Of Directors
The Board operates on Consensus Decision-Making process with a Leadership Model of overseeing six different areas of operations of BMP. Terms of service are three years and a person may serve up to two consecutive terms. Should you be interested in serving we would welcome your application.
KARL LUDEMAN
Treasurer, Economy & Finance Leadership, Term through 2027
​​
Karl comes to the Board with a variety of experiences from serving in the US Army, to teaching science in local high schools and now currently serving as an accountant with Pequot Tool and Manufacturing.
​
His varied skills and experiences will serve the Board and Balsam Moon well during his tenure.
​
(more info to come)
​
​
MELISSA OLSON
Program Leadership, President, Term through 2026
​
Melissa recently joined the Board and we welcome her. She comes with much experience creating and running her own business "Guiding Spirit Journeys" leading groups into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for personal growth experiences in the wilderness, while also instilling a deep respect and appreciation for nature. She also brings her bookkeeping skills and loves to work with Excel. She and her family reside in the Pequot Lakes area.
​
She also loves Morel mushrooms and has taught classes at Balsam Moon on how to forage them. Melissa is a Master Naturalist for Crow Wing County Extension and also leads forest bathing experiences.
​
​
Finance Leadership, Term through 2022
JIM ETZEL
Buildings & Grounds Leadership, Term through 2025
​
Jim has been part of the local community for many years and currently owns and operates Earth is Our Home Environmental Solutions, Hackensack, MN. His passion is building / growing soil and he's tireless in teaching others sharing his knowledge and skills with all who will engage. Ask him about mycorrhizal fungi and the intricate life beneath our feet. He's quickly become part of Balsam Moon Preserve and was/is co-lead on the Field Regeneration Project 2022-current to help build soil and habitat for the creatures among us. He lives simply and sustainably and is a real asset to Balsam Moon.
BENJAMIN TSAI
Communications Leadership, Term through 2025
​
Benjamin was first introduced to Balsam Moon Preserve through a mutual friend and he jumped in and participated in the Timberframe Pavilion workshop in 2021 providing skills and spirit as that project came into being. He works for Nexus Community Partners as Director of The Worker Ownership Initiative since 2019. The Worker Ownership Initiative (WOI) seeks to build and retain community wealth by assisting with the conversion of privately-owned businesses into employee-owned cooperatives. His experience and skills in cooperative organizing, management, investments, marketing, and strategic planning adds a great deal to Balsam Moon as we continue to develop and grow as an organization. His commitment to sustainability, community, simplicity and social justice come through in all he does.
JOEL LINDSTROM
Hospitality/Spirituality Leadership, Vice Pressident, Term through 2026
​
Joel recently signed on for his second term of service on the Board. He comes to the Board via his friendship with Doug and Barb and having been part of RREAL for years as the electrician specifically trained in solar installations (now retired). His fresh perspective and commitment to doing things differently are appreciated. In Joel’s words: This is my first time as a board member. Though raised in the Cities, I left ASAP and have lived in this area since my early 20s. I have been an electrician all my life, with gardens always and small livestock-raising sometimes. About 2004, I started doing a few solar projects with BJ's husband Jay, more and more every year, ultimately working with them both and becoming an employee. Even had the privilege of designing and helping install the large PV system at Balsam Moon, among other things, about a decade ago. At that point, I was helping lots of people use less electricity instead of more! My winter hobbies include reading, snowshoeing, the occasional bike ride, watching the river go by, and keeping up this old place in Wilson Township, SE of Pine River. I look forward to working together with y'all on this incredible project and am honored to have been asked.
CANDICE ZIMMERMAN
Farm & Gardening Leadership, Secretary, Term through 2027
​​
Candice comes to BMP via recommendation of former Board of Director BJ Allen who worked with her at Region Five Development Commission. Candice serves as one of their Regional Development Planners. She also served for a time as the Director of the Northland Arboretum in Brainerd .
​
Candice is honored to have achieved a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in public administration. In her downtime, Candice can be found tending to her Brainerd-based farm with her husband and two children, adding to their collection of crazy critters, and teaching others about the importance of incorporating nature into our daily lives.
​
​
​
DOUG WEISS
Governance Leadership, Term through 2027
​
Doug is one of the founders of Balsam Moon Preserve along with Barb Mann and represents the residents living at BMP.
“My qualifications for serving stem from growing up on a small dairy farm here in North Central Minnesota using sustainable methods to raise hay, grain and corn to feed our cattle, horses, pigs, chickens and rabbits. In the early years we did this with horsepower and without electricity, indoor plumbing, telephone or television. The lessons of reverence for nature, birds and animals, simple living, self-sufficiency, problem-solving and strong ties to local community
guide my path and decisions as I contemplate a complex degenerative society in the midst of progressive and irreparable decline. “
SPECIAL THANKS TO PAST BOARD MEMBERS!
Colleen Curran 2021-2024
Jono Droege 2021-2022
Joan Ingebrigtson, 2021-2022
BJ Allen 2021-2025
Barb Mann 2021-2025