2024-11-04T18:23:23-06:00 2023-12-31 941250261 LINDQUIST VON HUSEN & JOYCE LLP 301 HOWARD STREET SUITE 850 SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105 990 2023-01-01 943332630 CALIFORNIA FARMLINK CALI 8314250303 335 SPRECKELS DRIVE SUITE D APTOS CA 95003 REGINALD V KNOX CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 8314250303 2024-11-04 1 0 SHERMAN LEONG P00513747 4159579999 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z X REGINALD V KNOX 335 SPRECKELS DRIVE SUITE D APTOS CA 95003 9708283 0 X WWW.CALIFORNIAFARMLINK.ORG X 1999 CA INVEST IN THE PROSPERITY OF FARMERS RANCHERS FISHERS THROUGH LENDING EDUCATION AND LAND ACCESS. 11 11 31 18 0 0 2373356 7903771 1080507 1618404 27324 186108 0 0 3481187 9708283 0 185000 0 0 2278765 3200031 0 0 733520 1633341 2270342 3912106 5655373 -430919 4052910 31784812 38396371 21130318 23688967 10654494 14707404 X AS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, WE INVEST IN THE PROSPERITY AND WELL-BEING OF FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND FISHERS WHO HAVE LIMITED ACCESS TO FINANCIAL RESOURCES. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR MORE INFORMATION. 1 0 2196837 1377764 FARM AND RANCH PROSPERITY LOAN PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED BY $5,536,104 IN GRANT FUNDING WITH $2,196,837 IN EXPENSES. FARMLINK'S FARM AND RANCH PROSPERITY LOAN PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCING TO LOW-INCOME, UNDERSERVED, IMMIGRANT, AND BEGINNING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS AND FISHERS ACROSS CALIFORNIA. FARMLINK HAS BEEN CERTIFIED AS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (CDFI) SINCE 2013 AND CONTINUES TO EXPAND ITS IMPACT, IN 2023 FARMLINK DEPLOYED 64 LOANS WITH AN AVERAGE LOAN SIZE OF $158,172. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR MORE INFORMATION. 1738801 185000 240640 LAND ACCESS AND FARM BUSINESS EDUCATION PROGRAMS - THESE PROGRAMS ARE SUPPORTED BY $1,175,124 IN GRANT FUNDING WITH $1,738,801 IN EXPENSES AND LINKS LANDSEEKERS WITH LANDHOLDERS AND PROVIDES EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN BUSINESS SKILLS, INCLUDING FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ACUMEN AND SUCCESSION PLANNING. FARMLINK'S LAND ACCESS AND FARM BUSINESS EDUCATION PROGRAMS ALSO BRING INCREASED FOCUS TO THE NEEDS OF VARIOUS STAKEHOLDER GROUPS THROUGH THREE PROGRAM AREAS: "EQUITY AND CONSERVATION ON WORKING LANDS," "RESILIENCE AND WEALTH BUILDING, AND A NEW "BUSINESS AND INNOVATION" PROGRAM. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR MORE INFORMATION. 3935638 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 102 0 1 31 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 11 11 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 CA X X X REGINALD V KNOX 8314250303 335 SPRECKELS DRIVE SUITE D APTOS CA 95003 CHRIS MITTLESTEADT PRESIDENT & CHAIR 2.00 X X 0 0 0 ROB HURLBUT BOARD TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MEREDITH STORTON BOARD SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MARISA ALCORTA BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 LARRY CRETAN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 SHYAM KAMATH BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROBIN BOT-MILLER BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 WESLEY VAN CAMP BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JENNIFER KUYPER BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ALI ROBINSON BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 PABLO SOLARES BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 NATALIE SOLARES BOARD MEMBER THROUGH 5/14/23 1.00 X 0 0 0 REGINALD V KNOX CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 40.00 X 158944 0 44412 JONATHAN HARRISON CFO 10.00 X 80775 0 0 BRETT A MELONE CHIEF BUSINESS STRATEGIES OFFICERS 40.00 X 146734 0 10710 TAMELA HUDSON DIRECTOR OF LOAN ADMINISTRATION 40.00 X 112011 0 8082 NATHAN WELLER DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND IMPACT 40.00 X 117359 0 10234 NOAH STROUSE LOAN OFFICER & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES MANAGER 40.00 X 100086 0 13174 715909 0 86612 5 0 1 0 POPPY DAVIS 335 SPRECKELS DRIVE SUITE D APTOS CA 95003 CURRICULUM CONTENT DEVELOPMENT & TRAININ 119567 1 6048962 1854809 7903771 PROGRAM INTEREST INCOM 522200 1028372 1028372 PROGRAM REVENUE 541900 349392 349392 PROGRAM FEE REVENUE 541900 240640 240640 1618404 186108 186108 9708283 1618404 0 186108 X 185000 185000 284131 180737 50875 52519 2353241 1496905 421357 434979 88883 56539 15915 16429 278547 177185 49875 51487 195229 124186 34956 36087 33558 2056 22475 9027 68016 4166 45554 18296 781625 629026 131846 20753 13118 3390 501 9227 92138 23980 50794 17364 155276 80970 63827 10479 68145 48391 9282 10472 65799 34963 21788 9048 301559 301559 23827 29 23798 34028 356 22319 11353 LOAN LOSS RESERVE 422667 422667 COMPUTER AND IT EXPENSE 148447 102902 20030 25515 PROGRAM INCENTIVES 25300 25300 LOAN SERVICE FEES 18739 18739 18100 16592 1023 485 5655373 3935638 986215 733520 4580899 4581069 993128 2678956 15339128 21213805 93030 457754 131637 85300 54450 46337 10559618 9302279 164559 116171 31784812 38396371 545183 772467 1203198 1165198 19194880 21424796 187057 326506 21130318 23688967 X 8277416 8237570 2377078 6469834 10654494 14707404 31784812 38396371 4052910 0 X X 0 1 X 1 1 1 X 2851973 3052032 7804556 2373356 7903771 23985688 2851973 3052032 7804556 2373356 7903771 23985688 3641466 20344222 7447 12340 27324 186108 233219 24218907 5030342 0.84000 0.80070 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 31107 28948 2159 100530 56352 44178 46337 VARIOUS INVESTMENTS 9302279 F 9302279 OPERATING LEASES 116506 REFUNDABLE BORROWER ADVANCE LIABILITIES 210000 326506 X 9708283 0 9708283 0 9708283 5655373 0 5655373 0 5655373 PART X, LINE 2: FARMLINK BELIEVES THAT IT HAS APPROPRIATE SUPPORT FOR TAX POSITIONS TAKEN, AND THEREFORE DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT ARE MATERIAL TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. FARMLINK'S FEDERAL AND STATE INFORMATION RETURNS FOR THE YEARS 2019 THROUGH 2022 ARE SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION FOR THREE AND FOUR YEARS RESPECTIVELY. 1 DISASTER RELIEF GRANT 23 185000 X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 REGINALD V KNOX CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 158944 0 0 0 0 0 10189 0 34223 0 203356 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART III, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: CALIFORNIA FARMLINK (FARMLINK), A CALIFORNIA NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION, WAS FORMED IN 1999. AS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, ITS MISSION IS TO INVEST IN THE PROSPERITY AND WELL-BEING OF FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND FISHERS WHO HAVE LIMITED ACCESS TO FINANCIAL RESOURCES. FARMLINK'S PROGRAMS CENTER AROUND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND PROMOTE JUST AND RESILIENT ECONOMIES AND NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION. FARMLINK OFFERS FAIR FINANCING, BUSINESS EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT FOR OWNING OR MANAGING AGRICULTURAL LAND. IT WORKS ACROSS THE STATE, WITH PARTICULAR FOCUS ON THE CENTRAL COAST AND IN THE SACRAMENTO AND SAN JOAQUIN VALLEYS, AND THE NORTH BAY REGION OF CALIFORNIA. TO HELP FARMERS, RANCHERS AND FISHERS ACCESS LAND AND CAPITAL, GROW THEIR BUSINESSES, AND CREATE JOBS, FARMLINK ORGANIZES ITS WORK INTO TWO PROGRAM AREAS: THE FARM AND RANCH PROSPERITY LOAN PROGRAM, AND THE LAND ACCESS AND FARM BUSINESS EDUCATION PROGRAM. SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 2 BUSINESS AND INNOVATION - IN 2023, FARMLINK ESTABLISHED THIS PROGRAM AREA TO DEVELOP INNOVATIONS IN DELIVERING NEW SERVICES TO FARM AND FISHING BUSINESSES, WHILE DIRECTLY FOSTERING A GROWING ECOSYSTEM OF SUPPORT FOR FARMLINK'S CLIENTELE. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A: FARM AND RANCH PROSPERITY LOAN PROGRAM PROVIDES FLEXIBLY STRUCTURED FINANCING TO UNDERSERVED, LOW INCOME, IMMIGRANT AND BEGINNING FARMERS, RANCHERS AND FISHERS ACROSS CALIFORNIA FOR OPERATING, EQUIPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE LOANS. FARMLINK'S LOAN PROGRAM SERVES BORROWERS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME SECURING FINANCING DUE TO LIMITED HISTORY AS ENTREPRENEURS, LIMITED TRADITIONAL COLLATERAL, LITTLE OR NO CREDIT HISTORY, SMALL LOAN SIZE, LANGUAGE BARRIERS, OR NON-TRADITIONAL MARKETING AND BUSINESS MODELS. FARMLINK ALSO DIRECTS FARMERS TO OTHER APPROPRIATE SOURCES OF FINANCING SUITED TO THE SCALE AND TYPE OF THE BUSINESS. IN 2023, FARMLINK DEPLOYED 64 LOANS WITH AN AVERAGE LOAN SIZE OF $158,172. IN 2022, FARMLINK DEPLOYED 50 LOANS WITH AN AVERAGE LOAN SIZE OF $113,463. FARMLINK FOCUSES ON GENERATING PATHWAYS TO OWNERSHIP, HELPING FARMERS, RANCHERS AND FISHERS PLAN FOR LOWER-INTEREST LAND LOANS AND OTHER MEANS TO ESTABLISH SECURE LONG-TERM LAND TENURE. WITH SECURE LAND TENURE, FARMERS CAN BUILD FINANCIAL EQUITY BY INVESTING IN IMPROVEMENTS TO SOIL HEALTH, FARM INFRASTRUCTURE AND HOUSING. THE LOAN PROGRAM DATES BACK TO 2005 WHEN FARMLINK BEGAN PARTNERING WITH LENDERS TO DEVELOP A FARM LOAN FUND TO PROVIDE FINANCING TO UNDERSERVED GROWERS. FARMLINK IDENTIFIED A LACK OF ACCESS TO FINANCING AS ONE OF THE TOP OBSTACLES FACED BY SMALL-SCALE AND LOW-INCOME FARMERS. FOR FIVE YEARS, FARMLINK OPERATED THE LOAN PROGRAM IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER LENDING INSTITUTIONS: FARMLINK RAISED AND LOANED FUNDS TO THE LENDING INSTITUTIONS WHO ACTED AS THE LENDER OF RECORD TO MAKE LOANS TO SMALL FARMERS. FARMLINK OBTAINED ITS OWN LENDING LICENSE FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOVATION (FORMERLY CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORPORATIONS) AT THE END OF 2010, SECURED GUARANTEED LENDER STATUS FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) FARM SERVICE AGENCY (FSA) IN 2011 AND HAS BEEN MAKING DIRECT LOANS SINCE THE FALL OF 2011. IN 2013, FARMLINK RECEIVED CERTIFICATION FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY AS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (CDFI). A CDFI IS A SPECIALIZED FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT WORKS IN MARKETS THAT ARE UNDERSERVED BY TRADITIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. WITH THIS CERTIFICATION, FARMLINK IS ELIGIBLE TO ACCESS FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AWARDS FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY'S CDFI FUND. IN 2021, FARMLINK WAS APPROVED BY THE CALIFORNIA OCEAN PROTECTION COUNCIL TO MANAGE THE "CALIFORNIA FISHERIES FUND." SINCE ACQUIRING THE PORTFOLIO FROM COMMUNITY VISION CAPITAL & CONSULTING AT NO COST, FARMLINK HAS DEPLOYED $1,519,400 THROUGH 15 LOANS TO FISHING BUSINESSES ACROSS CALIFORNIA. FARMLINK IS PRIORITIZING LOANS TO BEGINNING, LOW-INCOME AND DISADVANTAGED SMALL-SCALE FISHERS. FISHERS FROM THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES ON THE MONTEREY BAY AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PORTS ARE DIVERSE IN ETHNICITY (LATINO, SICILIAN, VIETNAMESE), AND MANY COME FROM MULTI-GENERATIONAL FISHING FAMILIES. SIMILAR TO SMALL-SCALE AGRICULTURE, THE AVERAGE AGE OF FISHERS IS 55-60, THERE ARE CONSIDERABLE BARRIERS TO STARTING A BUSINESS, A COMPLEX REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT, AND A CHALLENGE TO RETAIN THESE BUSINESSES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION. IN 2023, FARMLINK DEPLOYED $553,000 THROUGH 7 LOANS TO SMALL SCALE FISHERS. IN 2022, FARMLINK DEPLOYED $966,400 THROUGH 8 LOANS TO SMALL SCALE FISHERS. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4B: LAND ACCESS AND FARM BUSINESS EDUCATION PROGRAMS LINKS LANDSEEKERS WITH LANDHOLDERS AND PROVIDES EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN BUSINESS SKILLS, INCLUDING FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ACUMEN AND SUCCESSION PLANNING. FARMLINK'S LAND ACCESS AND FARM BUSINESS EDUCATION PROGRAMS ALSO BRING INCREASED FOCUS TO THE NEEDS OF VARIOUS STAKEHOLDER GROUPS THROUGH THREE PROGRAM AREAS: "EQUITY AND CONSERVATION ON WORKING LANDS," "RESILIENCE AND WEALTH BUILDING, AND A NEW "BUSINESS AND INNOVATION" PROGRAM. THESE THREE PROGRAMS EMPLOY FARMLINK'S CORE TOOLS IN LENDING, LAND ACCESS, BUSINESS EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH AND SUCCESS AMONG SMALL-SCALE AND PEOPLE-OF-COLOR-OWNED FARM AND FISHING BUSINESSES. IN 2023, FARMLINK STAFF PROVIDED DIRECT, INDIVIDUALIZED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO 263 GROWERS AND LANDHOLDERS. PROGRAM DETAILS AND OUTCOMES INCLUDE: EQUITY AND CONSERVATION ON WORKING LANDS: LAND ACCESS: FARMLINK INCREASES OPPORTUNITIES FOR CALIFORNIA FARMERS TO ACQUIRE AFFORDABLE, SECURE, LONG-TERM ACCESS TO FARMLAND, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON BEGINNING FARMERS, WOMEN FARMERS, AND FARMERS OF COLOR. THIS PROGRAM LINKS LANDSEEKERS WITH LANDHOLDERS, MAINTAINS A BILINGUAL DATABASE OF LAND AVAILABLE FOR LEASE OR SALE, CONNECTS FARMERS AND LANDHOLDERS, FACILITATES THE DEVELOPMENT AND NEGOTIATION OF STRONG AND EQUITABLE LEASE AGREEMENTS, AND SUPPORTS FARMERS SEEKING FINANCING FOR LAND PURCHASES. SINCE 2011, FARMLINK STAFF HAS DEVELOPED 544 SUCCESSFUL LEASES OR PURCHASES TAILORED TO THE NEEDS OF LANDHOLDERS AND GROWERS. CONSERVATION OF FARMLAND: FARMLINK FOCUSES ITS MODEL AS AN AGRICULTURAL CDFI TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS: ESTABLISHING SECURE LAND TENURE, FARM SUCCESSION PLANNING TO MAINTAIN FARM BUSINESSES, AND CREATING CONSERVATION INITIATIVES TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE NATURAL RESOURCES, SOIL HEALTH, WATER QUALITY AND BIODIVERSITY. IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE WORK INCLUDE DEEPENING PARTNERSHIPS WITH LAND TRUSTS AND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, AND MAKING LOANS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT REGENERATIVE FARMING PRACTICES. DURING 2023, FARMLINK SUPPORTED 12 FARM BUSINESSES IN PURCHASING LAND OR TRANSITIONING THEIR FARM BUSINESS TO NEW OWNERS/OPERATORS. OF THE $3.9 MILLION FARMLINK DEPLOYED IN LAND LOANS TO THESE BUSINESSES, 80% SUPPORTED LAND FINANCING LOANS FOR LOW-INCOME FARM BUSINESSES. FARMLINK APPLIES PROVEN STRATEGIES TO HELP LANDHOLDERS WORK WITH BEGINNING AND SMALL-SCALE FARMERS, INCLUDING WAYS TO IDENTIFY A TENANT, HOW TO ASSESS A PROPERTY, AND BEST PRACTICES FOR DEVELOPING AN EQUITABLE LEASE AGREEMENT. IN 2023, 85 INDIVIDUAL AND INSTITUTIONAL LANDHOLDERS RECEIVED EDUCATION IN THESE TOPICS. SUCCESSION: FARMLINK'S SUCCESSION PROGRAM, "THE REGENERATOR: A YEAR OF FARM SUCCESSION PLANNING," IS A 12-MONTH COURSE THAT WORKS WITH SMALL COHORTS OF FARM FAMILIES AND THEIR SUCCESSORS TO GENERATE PLANS THAT SUPPORT TRANSITION TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS. PARTICIPANTS CONVENE MONTHLY TO LEARN FROM PROFESSIONALS, COMPARE NOTES WITH THEIR PEERS, AND WORK STEP-BY-STEP TO PLAN FOR THEIR FINANCIAL AND FAMILY WELL-BEING, AND THE HEALTH AND CONTINUITY OF THEIR WORKING FARMS AND RANCHES. RESILIENCE AND WEALTH BUILDING: FARMLINK'S EDUCATION PROGRAMS ASSIST FARMERS, RANCHERS AND FISHERS IN UNDERSTANDING THE LEGAL AND FINANCIAL STRUCTURE OF THEIR BUSINESSES AND HELP THEM ESTABLISH PRACTICES THAT WILL ENSURE THE FARM, RANCH OR FISHING BUSINESS IS RESILIENT TO FINANCIAL AND LEGAL RISKS, AND ABLE TO REMAIN VIABLE OVER THE LONG-TERM. PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS MAY HELP A CLIENT TO BECOME READY TO APPLY FOR A LOAN, AND MAY RESULT IN A CLIENT QUALIFYING FOR REDUCED INTEREST LOANS. IN 2023, THROUGH THE FARM RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE FUND, FARMLINK HAS DEPLOYED $1.14 MILLION IN MULTI-YEAR TERM "DEVELOPMENTAL" CAPITAL THROUGH 29 LOANS, 70% TO FARMERS OF COLOR. THE SPANISH-LANGUAGE PROGRAM INCLUDES COHORT-BASED, IN-PERSON LEARNING AND ONE-ON-ONE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ASSIST FARMERS, RANCHERS AND FISHERS WITH LIMITED FORMAL EDUCATION OR ENGLISH-LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY. THE GOAL IS TO BUILD FINANCIAL STABILITY, INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO RECOVER FROM SHORT-TERM SETBACKS, THE ABILITY TO SAVE FOR RETIREMENT AND THE ABILITY TO PASS WEALTH TO FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE PROGRAM IS VIRTUAL AND PROVIDES COHORT-BASED COMPREHENSIVE BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE FARM, RANCH AND FISHING BUSINESS TRAINING IN A GROUP SETTING FOLLOWED BY ONE ON ONE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. DURING 2023, A TOTAL OF 51 GROWERS COMPLETED THE PARALLEL, 10-WEEK ENGLISH- AND SPANISH-LANGUAGE CURRICULA, WITH FOLLOW-ON TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON TOPICS INCLUDING BOOKKEEPING AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. BOTH THE ENGLISH AND SPANISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMS USE A COMPREHENSIVE SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL, THE FARMLINK BUSINESS RESILIENCE SELF-ASSESSMENT, TO HELP PARTICIPANTS SET LEARNING GOALS AND TO ASSIST IN LONG-TERM EVALUATION OF HOW EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING SHAPES FUTURE BUSINESS SUCCESS. FARMLINK ENGAGES CONSULTANTS WITH EXPERTISE IN ADULT PEDAGOGY, LEADERSHIP FROM AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS ADVISORS FROM THE COMMUNITIES FARMLINK SERVES, AS WELL AS PROGRAM ALUMNI SERVING AS PEER-BASED GUEST INSTRUCTORS, TO DESIGN AND DELIVER PROGRAMMING THAT IS RESPONSIVE TO HOW A COHORT OF PARTICIPANTS LEARN NEW SKILLS AND BEHAVIORS. FARMLINK ALSO CREATED NEW, ADVANCED BUSINESS CURRICULUM AND ASSOCIATED SMALL BUSINESS INCENTIVES TO ADDRESS JOB QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS, SERVING 18 FARM BUSINESSES IN 2023. THIS CURRICULUM COVERS EDUCATION AND PREPARATION ON ALL ASPECTS OF HOW TO BE A GREAT EMPLOYER, IMPROVE THE WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT, AND CREATE HIGH-QUALITY JOBS. BUSINESS AND INNOVATION: IN 2023, FARMLINK ESTABLISHED THIS PROGRAM AREA TO DEVELOP INNOVATIONS IN DELIVERING NEW SERVICES TO FARM AND FISH BUSINESSES, WHILE DIRECTLY FOSTERING A GROWING ECOSYSTEM OF SUPPORT FOR FARMLINK'S CLIENTELE. THIS INCLUDES EXPANDING BILINGUAL (SPANISH), ONE-ON-ONE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SMALL BUSINESS CLIENTS WHO APPROACH FARMLINK FOR LENDING AND LAND ACCESS SERVICES BUT MAY NOT YET POSSESS THE FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS NECESSARY TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE DEBT OR NEW LAND. APART FROM DEVELOPING SKILLS TO BE PREPARED TO MANAGE CAPITAL, FARMLINK ALSO DIRECTLY SUPPORTED FARM BUSINESSES IN BEING "DISASTER PREPARED," PROVIDING DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO ESTABLISH THE BUSINESS RECORDKEEPING NECESSARY TO APPLY FOR AVAILABLE SMALL BUSINESS FEDERAL AND STATE DISASTER AND ECONOMIC RELIEF PROGRAMS. IN THE WAKE OF HISTORIC CLIMATIC EVENTS AND FLOODING EXPERIENCED IN MANY UNDERSERVED AREAS ACROSS CALIFORNIA, FARMLINK PARTNERED WITH LOCAL IMPACT INVESTORS TO SUPPORT 23 FARM BUSINESSES INELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC PROGRAMS IN ACCESSING ALTERNATIVE RELIEF FUNDS. IN DEVELOPING A GROWING ECOSYSTEM OF BUSINESS SUPPORT TO SERVE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES ACROSS THE STATE, FARMLINK CONVENED A COHORT OF 39 SERVICE PROVIDERS AND PROFESSIONALS IN 2023 TO LEARN HOW TO BEST SUPPORT FARMING AND FISHING ENTREPRENEURS ACROSS BUSINESS MANAGEMENT TOPICS. PARTICIPANTS LEARN HOW TO ADDRESS COMMON QUESTIONS AND WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK IN ORDER TO DIG DEEPER INTO A CLIENT'S UNIQUE SITUATION. THIS SIX-PART SERIES ADDRESSED BUSINESS STRUCTURES, ACCOUNTING AND BOOKKEEPING, TAXATION, CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT, LABOR AND INSURANCE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 3 CALIFORNIA FARMLINK CONTRACTS WITH JONATHAN HARRISON TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT APPROXIMATELY 10 HOURS PER WEEK. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE PROCESS TO PREPARE AND REVIEW FORM 990: IN OCTOBER OF 2023, CALIFORNIA FARMLINK CONDUCTED AN INTERNAL REVIEW OF 2023'S FORM 990. REVIEWERS INCLUDED THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, AND THE FINANCE AND OPERATIONS MANAGER. THEN, A DRAFT COPY WAS DISTRIBUTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRIOR TO FILING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE PROCESS TO MONITOR CONFLICT OF INTEREST: CALIFORNIA FARMLINK, ITS LEADERSHIP AND STAFF ARE SUBJECT TO LEGAL REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OUTLINED IN FARMLINK'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. ASSOCIATES ARE TO PROMPTLY DISCLOSE TO FARMLINK ANY AFFILIATIONS OR OTHER MATTERS THAT CONSTITUTE OR COULD RESULT IN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, WHENEVER THERE IS ANY DOUBT ABOUT WHETHER DISCLOSURE IS REQUIRED. THESE PARTIES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY AND/OR CORRECTIVE ACTIONS FOR A FAILURE TO DISCLOSE ACTUAL OR POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A THE PROCESS FOR DETERMINING THE CEO'S COMPENSATION: A COMPENSATION ANALYSIS WAS PREPARED BY THE FINANCE AND OPERATIONS MANAGER UTILIZING CONTEMPORANEOUS SALARY SURVEYS AND DATA FROM SIMILAR NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, REVIEWED BY AN INDEPENDENT HUMAN RESOURCE SPECIALIST, AND SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR APPROVAL. DELIBERATIONS ARE DOCUMENTED IN CALIFORNIA FARMLINK'S BOARD MINUTES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 AVAILABILITY OF GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: THESE DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. AUDITED FINANCIALS ARE POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G PROFESSIONAL FEES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 629,026. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 131,846. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 20,753. TOTAL EXPENSES 781,625. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSIGHT OF AUDIT AND SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS: CALIFORNIA FARMLINK'S AUDIT COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED AS AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT AND AUDITOR SELECTION PROCESS.