MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Celebrating the people who make cooperative membership special and giving our community the opportunity to get to know the members we proudly serve.
JEFF ICEBERG
A life shaped by hard work, family, and the community he calls home
In Ohio County, it doesn’t take long before someone knows the name Jeff Iceberg.
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“Pretty much everyone knows me,” Jeff said with a smile—and after a lifetime spent working, farming, and giving back to his community, it’s easy to see why.
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Born and raised in Ohio County, Jeff’s story is one of deep connections and lasting traditions. From attending St. Pauls Lutheran Church as a child to marrying his wife, Nanette, there and continuing to worship alongside generations of familiar faces, his life has been shaped by the people and places around him.
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This year, Jeff and Nanette will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary—a reflection of the life they’ve built together.
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A Community That Shows Up
For Jeff, community isn’t just something you talk about—it’s something you live.
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He remembers the 1974 tornado that tore through the area when he was just 13 years old. His family’s farm had 11 buildings before the storm. After it passed, only three walls of their home remained.
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But what stands out most isn’t the damage—it’s what came after.
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Neighbors showed up. People helped each other. And together, they rebuilt.
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“That’s just how it is around here,” Jeff said.
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That same spirit continues today. Whether it’s helping a neighbor or serving on the County Council, Jeff has always believed in doing his part to support the place he calls home.
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A Life of Hard Work
For Jeff, hard work has always been a way of life.
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His days were spent working full-time, while evenings were dedicated to farming. Tobacco, cattle, and crops filled those hours, and over time, farming became more than just a second job.
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“Farming is in my blood,” Jeff said.
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After 46 years of farming, Jeff is preparing for a new chapter. On May 15, he will retire from his full-time career and focus solely on the land he’s spent decades caring for.
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“Time to come home to do just one job,” he said.
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Today, Jeff farms 300 acres of cropland and 60 acres of hay, raising Black Angus cattle—and he has no plans of slowing down.
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“I’m going to farm till I can’t.”
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Building a Home and a Life
When Jeff and Nanette purchased their home and farmland more than 30 years ago, they knew it was where they wanted to stay.
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Over time, they’ve remodeled the house one room at a time, building a life centered around family, faith, and hard work.
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They raised two sons, Andrew and Nick, both of whom grew up helping on the farm. Andrew now lives on the West Coast, while Nick continues to live at home.
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Jeff shared that an injury Nick sustained in a farm accident at the age of 14 brought unexpected challenges for their family. While it changed the path they had once imagined, it also strengthened their perspective and appreciation for the life they’ve built together.
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Nanette, who runs a beauty salon from their home and works in therapy services in Lawrenceburg, keeps a busy schedule of her own. Still, Jeff is quick to point out how much she does—always ready to lend a hand on the farm when needed.
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He says her support has been a big part of everything they’ve built together.
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Caring for the Land
Jeff’s connection to the land goes beyond farming—it’s about stewardship and pride.
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In 2024, Jeff and Nanette were honored with the River Friendly Farmer Award for their efforts to protect soil and water quality. From drainage improvements to cattle feeding areas, Jeff works to keep his farm both productive and well cared for.
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“I appreciated the award,” he said.
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He also takes pride in the details of the property itself. Jeff recently built a rock fireplace on their back patio using creek rock he collected himself, appreciating the uniqueness of each piece.
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The pond on their land, once small, has been expanded over the years—another reflection of the care they’ve put into their home.
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“I like my farm to look good, too,” Jeff said.
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A Connection to the Co-op
Jeff’s connection to Southeastern Indiana REMC is both personal and practical.
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Over the years, he’s come to know many employees—many of whom share the same work ethic and farming background he’s lived by. He also appreciates the work being done to improve reliability across the system.
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He specifically noted the impact of vegetation management efforts, which have helped reduce outages and improve service.
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“It’s made a big difference,” Jeff said. “Our electric hasn’t been going out like it used to.”
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From seeing crews in the field to even spotting aerial trimming efforts overhead, Jeff recognizes the work that goes into keeping power reliable for rural communities like his.
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Rooted in What Matters Most
For Jeff Iceberg, life has always been about hard work, strong values, and a commitment to the people and places around him.
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From long days in the field to decades of community involvement, he’s built a life that reflects the very best of rural Indiana—where neighbors help neighbors, and the land is cared for with pride.
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And as he looks ahead to this next chapter, one thing is certain: He’ll be right where he’s always been—at home on the farm.
