2025-05-13T08:12:46-05:00 2024-06-30 161468002 CHIAMPOU TRAVIS BESAW & KERSHNER LLP 45 BRYANT WOODS NORTH AMHERST NY 14228 990 2023-07-01 901026798 SIERRA HARVEST SIER 5302652343 380 SIERRA COLLEGE DRIVE 110 GRASS VALLEY CA 95945 ANDREA ECHEGARAY TREASURER 5302652343 2025-05-09 1 0 EUGENE G KERSHNER P00601324 7166302400 2025-05-09 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z ANDREA ECHEGARAY 380 SIERRA COLLEGE DRIVE 110 GRASS VALLEY CA 95945 1635169 0 X WWW.SIERRAHARVEST.ORG X 2013 CA SIERRA HARVEST TRANSFORMS LIVES AND STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY THROUGH FRESH, LOCAL, AND SEASONAL FOOD. WE PROVIDE FARM TO SCHOOL EDUCATION, FARMER TRAINING, INSTITUTIONAL PROCUREMENT SERVICES, GLEANING AND BACKYARD GARDEN PROGRAMS AND COORDINATE WITH NEVADA COUNTY FOOD POLICY COUNCIL. 7 7 29 95 0 0 1067340 1254687 95599 91995 12797 8964 149828 -1798 1325564 1353848 0 0 0 0 826450 999513 0 0 137559 344041 633165 1170491 1632678 155073 -278830 1250488 1039954 106079 126182 1144409 913772 X FOUNDED IN 2007, SIERRA HARVEST IS BUILDING A COMMUNITY THAT VALUES AND EATS AN ABUNDANCE OF FRESH, LOCAL, SEASONAL FOOD; TRAINING SUCCESSFUL LOCAL FARMERS THAT ARE INCREASING SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION; AND CREATING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO FRESH, LOCAL, SEASONAL FOOD. WE SERVE DOZENS OF FARMERS, HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES, AND THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN. BE THE LOCAL FOOD MOVEMENT AND JOIN US IN THE CONVERSATION AT WWW.SIERRAHARVEST.ORG. 0 1 619097 47934 SIERRA HARVEST'S FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM SERVES 97% OF WESTERN NEVADA COUNTY STUDENTS IN 33 K-8 SCHOOLS, REACHING OVER 7,100 STUDENTS. EACH SCHOOL IS PROVIDED WITH EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAMS TO INTRODUCE AND CONNECT STUDENTS TO FRESH, LOCAL FOOD AND THE PEOPLE WHO GROW IT. PROGRAMS INCLUDE: HARVEST OF THE MONTH TASTINGS, BRINGING SEASONAL FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO EVERY CLASSROOM ALONG WITH EDUCATOR CURRICULUM AND A FAMILY NEWSLETTER; CLASSROOM TO FARM AND FARMER TO CLASSROOM VISITS AND FIELD TRIPS WITH ACTIVITIES TO TEACH THE SCIENCE AND ART OF GROWING FOOD; HANDS-ON COOKING LESSONS FOR OVER 2,500 STUDENTS WITH GUEST CHEFS DURING "TASTING DAYS; 12 OUTDOOR LEARNING LABS IN THE FORM OF SCHOOL GARDENS CURRENTLY SERVE 12 K-8 SCHOOL SITES. CURRICULUM INCLUDES PLANTING, GROWING, HARVESTING, AND PREPARING ORGANIC FRUITS, VEGETABLES, HERBS AND FLOWERS; COMPOSTING; SOIL BUILDING; AND MUCH MORE. EACH OF THESE PROGRAM ELEMENTS CONTRIBUTE TOWARD OUR GOAL OF CHANGING THE WAY THE NEXT GENERATION APPROACHES ITS UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF FOOD. SURVEY DATA INDICATE THAT PARTICIPATING STUDENTS TRY NEW FRUITS AND VEGGIES FOR THE FIRST TIME THROUGH HARVEST OF THE MONTH, EAT MORE OF A FRUIT OR VEGGIE AFTER TRYING IT AT SCHOOL AND REQUEST THE FOOD AT HOME, AND SHOP DIRECTLY FROM FARMERS MORE OFTEN. 328786 7856 THE FARM INSTITUTE SUPPORTS AND WORKS ALONGSIDE FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO INCREASE SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION, WORKING WITH BOTH THE SUPPLY SIDE AND THE DEMAND SIDE.ON THE SUPPLY SIDE, FARM INSTITUTE HAS A SERIES OF PROGRAMS TO BUILD THE PROSPERITY OF ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE PRODUCERS, INCREASE THE LAND IN ORGANIC PRODUCTION, AND TRAIN AND MENTOR BEGINNING FARMERS AS THE OLDER GENERATION RETIRES. AGRICULTURAL SKILLS CLASSES TRAIN BEGINNING FARMERS IN REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION. FARM BIZ, THE SIX-WEEK AG BUSINESS COURSE, LEAVES PARTICIPANTS WITH A CONCRETE BUSINESS PLAN AND FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE THAT IS CRITICAL TO RUNNING A VIABLE FARM BUSINESS. LAND MATCH MATCHES SUSTAINABLE FARMERS AND RANCHERS WITH LOCAL AGRICULTURAL LAND, AND THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM PAIRS SEASONED FARMERS WITH NEW FARMERS IN A MENTOR/MENTEE ASSOCIATION TO PROVIDE ON-GOING SUPPORT.TO DATE, SIERRA HARVEST HAS TRAINED 157 FARMERS, HELPED 9 FARMS CERTIFY ORGANIC, MATCHED 29 FARMERS TO 102 ACRES OF LOW COST FARM LAND, PAIRED 21 MENTOR/MENTEE FARMERS, AND PROVIDED OVER 5,000 HOURS OF EDUCATION.ON THE DEMAND SIDE, THE FARM INSTITUTE'S PROCUREMENT PROGRAM, KNOWN AS PUTTING LOCAL ON THE MENU, HELPS FARMERS AND FOOD BUYERS CONNECT TO INCORPORATE LOCALLY AND REGIONALLY GROWN FRESH FOODS INTO MEAL PROGRAMS. INSTITUTIONAL FACILITIES SUCH AS OUR LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, SENIOR HOMES, HOMELESS SHELTERS AND SCHOOLS ARE PROVIDED HELP TO CONTRACT WITH LOCAL FARMERS, AS ARE SMALLER FOOD BUSINESSES SUCH AS RESTAURANTS.SIERRA HARVEST ENGAGES IN LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL POLICIES THAT SUPPORT JUST, SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS. THE NEVADA COUNTY FOOD POLICY COUNCIL (NCFPC) WAS FORMED IN MARCH 2015 TO FOSTER COLLABORATION AMONG LOCAL FOOD AND FARMING INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS, SET COMMON GOALS AND WORK TOGETHER TO MAXIMIZE POSITIVE IMPACTS ON THE FOOD ENVIRONMENT, HUMAN HEALTH, AND LIVELIHOODS IN THE COMMUNITY. THE NCFPC IS A MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA FOOD AND FARMING NETWORK WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO WEIGH IN ON STATEWIDE FOOD AND FARMING POLICIES THAT IMPACT NEVADA COUNTY. THE NCFPC, WHICH HAS HAD OVER 80 LOCAL FOOD AND FARMING ORGANIZATIONS ATTEND, COMPLETED A FOOD SYSTEM ASSESSMENT IN 2021 TO STUDY THE IMPACTS OF THE CURRENT INDUSTRIALIZED FOOD SYSTEM PRESENT IN THE COUNTY AND TO INVEST IN A MORE VIBRANT LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM BUILT ON A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY. 255771 30981 SIERRA HARVEST'S FOOD LOVE FARM IS DEVOTED TO PROMOTING NUTRITION EDUCATION, FOOD SECURITY, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN GROWING, HARVESTING, EATING, AND CELEBRATING FRESH FOOD. THE FARM HOSTS EXPERIENTIAL FIELD TRIPS, A SUMMER CAMP, SERVICE PROJECTS, U-PICK/FARM STAND, AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER DAYS. THIS YEAR THE FOOD LOVE FARM PROVIDED 3,780 HOURS OF HANDS-ON FARM EDUCATION, THROUGH SUMMER CAMP AND FIELD TRIPS, TO HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN, WITH 23.5% OF CAMPERS RECEIVING SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND CAMP. 59258 5224 THE SIERRA HARVEST GOLD COUNTRY GLEANING PROGRAM HARVESTS LOCAL ORGANIC PRODUCE THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE UNHARVESTED, THROWN OUT OR COMPOSTED. THIS PRODUCE IS DONATED TO INTERFAITH FOOD MINISTRY WHO DISTRIBUTES IT TO 11,000 INDIVIDUALS WITH MINIMAL ACCESS TO FRESH, ORGANIC FOOD. THIS YEAR, OUR GLEANERS HIT A RECORD OF 35,445 POUNDS OF PRODUCE GLEANED AND DELIVERED TO INTERFAITH FOOD MINISTRY. OVER 145,850 POUNDS OF LOCAL FOOD HAS BEEN RESCUED AND GIVEN TO THOSE IN NEED SINCE AUGUST 2018. 59258 5224 1262912 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 28 0 1 29 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 7 7 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 CA X X X X SARAH MCDAVID 5302652343 380 SIERRA COLLEGE DRIVE STE 110 GRASS VALLEY CA 95945 X RICHARD CODDING SECRETARY 5.00 X X 0 0 0 GRACE DEBBELER VICE PRESIDENT 2.20 X X 0 0 0 ANDREA ECHEGARAY TREASURER 4.80 X X 0 0 0 NITA MIZUSHIMA BOARD MEMBER 4.10 X 0 0 0 KEVIN MOORE BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 TIANA ROCKWELL PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 SARRA ZIARI BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 AIMEE RETZLER FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 110624 0 0 110624 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 69209 478640 706838 11286 1254687 FOOD LOVE FARM INCOME 813410 47934 47934 FARM TO SCHOOL INCOME 813410 30981 30981 FARM INSTITUTE AND PRO 813410 7856 7856 SIERRA GARDENS INCOME 813410 5224 5224 91995 21342 21342 1800 0 1800 1800 1800 263224 275602 -12378 -12378 -12378 0 69209 5719 -5719 -5719 REBATES 900099 1078 1078 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 900099 1043 1043 2121 1353848 83538 0 15623 186554 70072 48073 68409 718154 575309 106362 36483 5355 3199 1783 373 15913 13865 1179 869 73537 54369 10630 8538 18356 18356 21910 21910 2472 2472 147782 143041 3779 962 22491 20670 1821 20615 18191 317 2107 31043 30602 441 13574 12359 92 1123 2872 2872 12720 12720 BAD DEBT EXPENSE 156350 156350 GRANTS 47250 47250 FOOD AND PRODUCE 31493 30503 606 384 FARM TO SCHOOL EXPENSE 17265 17265 86972 66995 3487 16490 1632678 1262912 232207 137559 232113 58099 181464 60287 321016 350684 6279 24944 30000 30000 7630 11671 11693 11693 0 0 303752 479934 3872 7860 164362 16475 1250488 1039954 72478 90401 33601 35781 0 0 106079 126182 X 899502 655144 244907 258628 1144409 913772 1250488 1039954 -278830 48193 0 X 1 X 0 0 0 X 781315 777264 849616 1067340 1254687 4730222 781315 777264 849616 1067340 1254687 4730222 702975 4027247 14385 7419 8612 10082 21342 61840 4792062 483729 0.84040 0.73390 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 275 275 1638122 1638397 231920 57980 0 0 146006 166350 192301 231920 736577 1104866 0 443 191 275 909 40002 41588 48075 57980 187645 281468 SCHEDULE C, PART II-A, LINE 1B SIERRA HARVEST SIGNED VARIOUS BILLS AND LETTERS OF SUPPORT RELATED TO FARMING, NUTRITION, AND FOOD ACCESS. WITH CALIFORNIA FACING A BUDGET SHORTFALL, MANY OF THE LOBBYING EFFORTS IN FY 23-24 WERE CENTERED AROUND URGING THE STATE TO PRESERVE FUNDING SPECIFIC TO FOOD AND FARMING. EXAMPLES OF CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE BILLS THAT WERE SIGNED: AB 107 SCHOOL MEALS FOR ALL, AB 2313 FARMER EQUIPMENT SHARING, AB 2734 IMPROVEMENT TO HEALTHY SOILS, AND SB 1448 FARM TO COMMUNITY FOOD HUB PROGRAM. WE ALSO SIGNED ONTO ORGANIZATIONAL & COALITION LETTERS ADVOCATING FOR THE RESTORATION OF CLIMATE DISASTER RELIEF & INFRASTRUCTURE FOR CALIFORNIA'S SMALL & UNDERSERVED FARMERS, PROTECTING THE CALFRESH MINIMUM BENEFIT, SAFEGUARDING CALIFORNIA'S FOOD & FARMING SYSTEM IN THE 2024-2025 BUDGET, AND SUPPORTING LANGUAGE DEFINING "REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE" WITHIN THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD & AGRICULTURE. ONLY TWO FEDERAL INITIATIVES WERE SIGNED ONTO: NATIONAL HEALTHY SOILS POLICY REQUESTING FEDERAL FUNDING FOR SOIL HEALTH PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION, AND ONE SUPPORTING THE CAPITAL FOR BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS ACT AS PART OF THE NEXT FARM BILL. 11693 11693 0 0 1407476 48193 2188 50381 1357095 2472 -5719 -3247 1353848 1638113 2188 5719 7907 1630206 2472 2472 1632678 PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: FUNDRAISING EXPENSES -5,719. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 5,719. SEEDING OUR FUTURE LUNCH 69209 69209 1104 4064 551 69209 69209 1104 4064 551 5719 -5719 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 AIMEE RETZLER FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 86874 0 0 0 23750 0 0 0 0 0 110624 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART I, LINE 6 THIS YEAR 95 GENEROUS VOLUNTEERS WORKED TO HELP SIERRA HARVEST MAKE PROGRESS TOWARDS THEIR MISSION AND VISION. OUR ALL-VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONTINUED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY GOVERNANCE MODEL, AN INTEGRATED BOARD LEADERSHIP PARADIGM CREATED BY DR. JOHN CARVER, WHICH IS A GROUNDBREAKING MODEL OF GOVERNANCE DESIGNED TO EMPOWER BOARDS OF DIRECTORS TO FULFILL THEIR OBLIGATION OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE ORGANIZATIONS THEY GOVERN. VOLUNTEERS ALSO DONATED THEIR TIME TO HELP HARVEST FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO TO WASTE FROM FARMS AND HOME ORCHARDS AND DISTRIBUTED THEM TO A LOCAL FOOD PANTRY. THEY TURNED BEDS, PLANTED STARTS, HARVESTED, AND WEEDED AT OUR EDUCATIONAL FOOD LOVE FARM. THEY HELPED OUR STAFF WITH SIGNIFICANT DATA ENTRY TASKS THAT HELP TRACK THE IMPACT OF OUR PROGRAMS, AND TOOK PART IN MAILING PARTIES FOR COMMUNICATIONS TO THE SIERRA HARVEST COMMUNITY. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 3 SINCE THE SIERRA GARDENS PROGRAM WAS LAUNCHED NINE YEARS AGO, 119 VEGGIE GARDENS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ACROSS NEVADA COUNTY TO HOMEOWNERS, RENTERS, LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS, WITH THE VISION THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN LEARN TO LOVE THE BENEFITS OF GROWING THEIR OWN FRESH, LOCAL FOOD. WE HAVE LOVED HEARING FROM PARTICIPANTS ABOUT THEIR JOY OF GROWING THEIR OWN VEGGIES, HOW THEY STARTED EATING MORE VEGETABLES AT HOME, AND HOW THESE GARDENS HAVE GIVEN THEM A NEW SPACE TO UNWIND AND RECHARGE. WHILE THESE UNIQUE GARDENS HAVE TOUCHED THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF ADULTS AND CHILDREN, WE TRANSITIONED AWAY FROM THE SIERRA GARDENS PROGRAM IN 2022 TO EXPLORE HOW TO BEST SUPPORT A LARGER PART OF THE COMMUNITY IN GETTING ACCESS TO FRESHLY GROWN VEGGIES. A RECENT PARTNERSHIP WITH INTERFAITH FOOD MINISTRY IN A 6-MONTH COMMUNITY CENTERED DESIGN PROCESS WILL HELP INFORM THIS EVOLUTION, AS WELL AS CONVERSATIONS WITH COUNTY AND CITY OFFICIALS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN DESIGNATING COMMUNITY GARDEN SPACES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 4 THERE WERE REVISIONS MADE TO THE BYLAWS AS WELL AS POLICY REGISTER REVISIONS. THESE CHANGES WERE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON MAY 23, 2024. REVISIONS INCLUDE ALTERATIONS TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTING, SIMPLIFYING COMMITTEES, SIMPLIFYING LANAGUAGE OF BOARD TERMS AND RE-ELECTION, ADDING IN THE VICE PRESIDENT AS AN OFFICER, UPDATING FINANCIAL AUDIT REQUIREMENTS, AS WELL AS SIMPLIFYING LANAGUAGE IN OTHER TOPCIS OF THE BYLAWS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRIOR TO SUBMISSION. THE 990 IS FIRST SUBMITTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE 990, SUGGESTS CORRECTIONS, AND THEN PRESENTS THE AMENDED DOCUMENT TO THE FULL BOARD. THE BOARD THEN REVIEWS THE 990 PRIOR TO SUBMISSION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C BOARD MEMBERS AND ALL STAFF SIGN OUR CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND DISCLOSURE STATEMENT WHEN THEY JOIN THE BOARD OR ARE HIRED AND ANY ITEMS OF INTEREST ARE REVIWED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. EACH YEAR, BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF ARE ASKED TO FILL OUT AN UPDATED CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE STATEMENT, AND ANY ITEMS OF INTEREST ARE REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PREPARES A BUDGET FOR COMPENSATION USING THE NON PROFIT RESOURCE CENTER'S COMPENSATION GUIDE FOR NORTHERN CA AND REGIONAL JOB POSTINGS AS A GUIDE. COMPENSATION ALSO TAKES INTO ACCOUNT EACH EMPLOYEE'S PERFORMANCE, THEIR TIME IN THE POSITION, THEIR LEVEL OF BUDGETARY RESPONSIBILITY AND THEIR NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORTS. THE BOARD THEN APPROVES THIS BUDGET. THE BOARD FOLLOWS A SIMILAR PROCESS TO SET THE SALARY OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 18 SIERRA HARVEST'S FORM 1023 AND ANNUAL 990S ARE AVAILABLE AT WWW.SIERRAHARVEST.ORG AND ON THE GUIDESTAR WEBSITE. SIERRA HARVEST'S POLICIES AND MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE ON FILE IN OUR OFFICE AND ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 SIERRA HARVEST'S POLICIES AND MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE ON FILE IN OUR OFFICE AND BY REQUEST.