BY ANN FOSTER THELEN
Love is in the air in February, and Valentine’s Day gives us an opportunity to share heartfelt messages of adoration. It is also a fitting time to reflect on something we care deeply about at Iowa Electric Cooperative Living. Each month, we have the privilege of creating a magazine for you, our electric cooperative member-consumers, and that connection is at the heart of everything we do.
This magazine has always been about more than turning pages. It is about strengthening ties to your local electric cooperative, sharing stories rooted in Iowa communities and offering practical information you can use every day. Whether it is a recipe clipped for later, an energy tip put into action, a safety tip that prevents an injury or a story that sparks conversation at the kitchen table, our goal is to serve you well.
Powered by our readers
One of the things we love most is the engagement we receive from readers across the state. You send in cover photo submissions that showcase Iowa’s beauty in every season. You share favorite recipes that turn into family-tested meals for kitchens far beyond your own. You suggest story ideas, enter contests, respond to features and let us know what resonates with you.
That kind of participation does more than fill pages. It reminds us that this magazine is not a one-way conversation. It is a shared space where your voices, creativity and experiences help guide what we publish. When you take the time to reach out, you help make Iowa Electric Cooperative Living stronger and more relevant for everyone.
This magazine also reaches beyond individual readers. It is shared with community leaders, policymakers and others who help shape decisions affecting rural Iowa. By telling local stories and explaining how electric cooperatives work, these pages help build understanding of the cooperative model and the value it brings to the communities we serve.
Connecting locally, living cooperatively
Your readership reinforces something we believe deeply. This publication matters because it reflects what matters locally. Readers consistently show that they value content that helps them feel informed, connected and engaged with their electric cooperative. That includes learning how cooperatives work, understanding cooperative principles and seeing how local co-ops serve their communities every day.
We hope these pages also encourage you to take part in cooperative life beyond the magazine. Attend your cooperative’s annual meeting. Vote for directors who help guide important decisions. Participate in youth programs, educational opportunities or advocacy efforts that give member-consumers a voice. These experiences strengthen the cooperative business model and keep it rooted in local leadership.
At its core, Iowa Electric Cooperative Living exists to support the same mission as your local electric cooperative. It is about service, transparency, education and community. As we move through February and beyond, thank you for reading, engaging and being part of this shared effort. We look forward to continuing to serve you and your community, one issue at a time.
Ann Foster Thelen is the editor of Iowa Electric Cooperative Living magazine.
