2025-10-29T15:53:07-05:00 2024-12-31 941250261 LINDQUIST VON HUSEN & JOYCE LLP 301 HOWARD STREET SUITE 850 SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105 990 2024-01-01 943332630 CALIFORNIA FARMLINK CALI 8314250303 335 SPRECKELS DRIVE SUITE D APTOS CA 95003 REGINALD V KNOX CEO 8314250303 2025-10-28 1 0 SHERMAN LEONG P00513747 4159579999 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z REGINALD V KNOX 335 SPRECKELS DRIVE SUITE D APTOS CA 95003 6865696 0 X WWW.CALIFORNIAFARMLINK.ORG X 1999 CA INVEST IN THE PROSPERITY OF FARMERS, RANCHERS & FISHERS THROUGH LENDING, EDUCATION & LAND ACCESS 11 11 39 8 0 0 7903771 4881697 1618404 1782000 186108 201999 0 0 9708283 6865696 185000 40000 0 0 3200031 3840897 0 0 1191582 2270342 2583563 5655373 6464460 4052910 401236 38396371 41959071 23688967 26850431 14707404 15108640 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 2121871 40000 1762885 FARMLINK'S LENDING PROGRAM PROVIDES FLEXIBLY STRUCTURED FINANCING TO UNDERSERVED, LOW-INCOME, BEGINNING FARMERS, RANCHERS AND FISHERS ACROSS CALIFORNIA FOR OPERATING, EQUIPMENT AND LAND PURCHASE LOANS. THIS PROGRAM SERVES BORROWERS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME SECURING FINANCING DUE TO LIMITED HISTORY AS ENTREPRENEURS, LIMITED TRADITIONAL CAPITAL, LITTLE OR NO CREDIT HISTORY, SMALL LOAN SIZE, LANGUAGE BARRIERS, OR NON-TRADITIONAL MARKETING AND BUSINESS MODELS. IN 2024, FARMLINK ORIGINATED 40 LOANS ($13,388,874 IN TOTAL VOLUME) WITH AN AVERAGE SIZE OF $334,721. 2408634 19115 LAND AND BUSINESS (LAB) PROGRAMS. THERE ARE THREE RELATED LAND AND BUSINESS PROGRAMS: EQUITY AND CONSERVATION ON WORKING LANDS (ECWL), RESILIENCE AND WEALTH BUILDING (RWB) AND BUSINESS AND INNOVATION (B&I). IN 2024, FARMLINK STAFF PROVIDED DIRECT, INDIVIDUAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO 313 FARMERS AND RANCHERS ACROSS THESE PROGRAMS. THROUGHOUT ITS PROGRAMMING, FARMLINK EMPLOYS THE "CLIENT JOURNEY", A CLIENT-CENTRIC SERVICE PHILOSOPHY TO HARNESS THE ORGANIZATIONAL PILLARS OF LAND, CAPITAL AND EDUCATION TOWARD THE OVERALL GOAL OF BUSINESS STABILITY, OPERATIONAL ADVANCEMENT, AND OVERALL RISK MANAGEMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION'S GROWING OUTSTANDING LOAN PORTFOLIO. 4530505 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 1 111 0 1 39 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 1.00 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 ALACORTA BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 1000 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 1000 0 0 JENNIFER KUYPER BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ALICIA PEMAN-DUPIER BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 1000 0 0 PABLO SOLARES BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 REGINALD V KNOX CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 40.00 X 212966 0 56502 JONATHAN HARRISON CFO 10.00 X 99043 0 0 BRETT A MELONE CHIEF CREDIT OFFICER 40.00 X 158589 0 56909 NATHAN WELLER DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND IMPACT 40.00 X 155278 0 11102 TINA COSENTINO CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER 40.00 X 137259 0 24608 TAMELA HUDSON DIRECTOR OF LOAN OPERATIONS 40.00 X 123198 0 8426 NOAH STROUSE LOAN OFFICER & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES MANAGER 40.00 X 103612 0 8588 JANE GARCIA DIRECTOR OF LENDING 40.00 X 101584 0 30302 1094529 0 196437 7 0 1 0 SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES 335 SPRECKELS DRIVE SUITE D APTOS CA 95003 SOLAR COOLING UNITS-ENGINEERING, FABRICA 300919 POPPY DAVIS 335 SPRECKELS DRIVE SUITE D APTOS CA 95003 CURRICULUM CONTENT DEVELOPMENT & TRAININ 215525 MANCERA CONSULTING GROUP 335 SPRECKELS DRIVE SUITE D APTOS CA 95003 CURRICULUM CONTENT DEVELOPMENT & TRAININ 100976 3 1976496 2905201 4881697 PROGRAM INTEREST INCOM 522200 1354019 1354019 PROGRAM FEE REVENUE 522200 408866 408866 PROGRAM REVENUE 541900 19115 19115 1782000 201999 201999 6865696 1782000 0 201999 X 40000 40000 753388 473040 98215 182133 2500232 1569855 325942 604435 77733 48807 10134 18792 276021 173309 35983 66729 233523 146625 30443 56455 33677 23128 6398 4151 82236 56476 15624 10136 1155134 1015525 78735 60874 20768 2670 18098 90204 55350 13153 21701 149003 91693 21362 35948 125268 95663 12990 16615 69727 42980 10319 16428 356157 356157 24622 15237 3408 5977 45570 28194 6323 11053 COMPUTER AND IT EXPENSE 253863 156708 35717 61438 PROGRAM INCENTIVES 119125 119125 RECRUITING 62525 24279 37627 619 LOAN SERVICE FEES 22302 22302 -26618 -26618 6464460 4530505 742373 1191582 4581069 4255410 2678956 2982016 21213805 29694944 457754 534245 287239 68638 46337 218601 9302279 3720282 116171 553573 38396371 41959071 772467 1138643 1165198 1161289 21424796 24134344 326506 416155 23688967 26850431 X 8237570 9764163 6469834 5344477 14707404 15108640 38396371 41959071 401236 0 X X 0 1 X 1 1 1 X 3052032 7804556 2373356 7903771 4881697 26015412 3052032 7804556 2373356 7903771 4881697 26015412 3757274 22258138 7447 12340 27324 186108 201999 435218 26450630 6346591 0.84150 0.84000 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 4303 4240 63 282936 64398 218538 218601 VARIOUS INVESTMENTS 3720282 F 3720282 OPERATING LEASES 266155 REFUNDABLE BORROWER ADVANCE LIABILITIES 150000 416155 X 6865696 0 6865696 0 6865696 6464460 0 6464460 0 6464460 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 2020 THROUGH 2023 ARE SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION FOR THREE AND FOUR YEARS RESPECTIVELY. 1 DISASTER RELIEF GRANT 5 40000 X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 REGINALD V KNOX CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 212966 0 0 0 0 0 12678 0 43824 0 269468 0 0 0 BRETT A MELONE CHIEF CREDIT OFFICER 158589 0 0 0 0 0 10189 0 46720 0 215498 0 0 0 NATHAN WELLER DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND IMPACT 155278 0 0 0 0 0 4719 0 6383 0 166380 0 0 0 TINA COSENTINO CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER 137259 0 0 0 0 0 4652 0 19956 0 161867 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 PROMOTE JUST AND RESILIENT ECONOMIES AND NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION. FARMLINK OFFERS FAIR FINANCING, BUSINESS EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT FOR OWNING OR MANAGING AGRICULTURAL LAND. FARMLINK WORKS THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA, WITH PARTICULAR FOCUS ON THE CENTRAL COAST AND IN THE SACRAMENTO AND SAN JOAQUIN VALLEYS, AND THE NORTH BAY REGION OF CALIFORNIA. FARMLINK'S WORK IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A LENDING PROGRAM AND LAND AND BUSINESS PROGRAM. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 2 FARMLINK'S BUSINESS AND INNOVATION PROGRAM HOUSES NEW AND EMERGING PROGRAMS. SOLARFRESCO IS A NEW PROGRAM TO HELP SMALL-SCALE FARMERS AND FARMERS OF COLOR TO LEAD THE TRANSITION TO CLIMATE-SMART COOLING. THE SOLARFRESCO PROGRAM HELPS LOW-INCOME FARMERS ACQUIRE LOW, OR NO-COST SOLAR-POWERED COOLERS TO BUILD WEALTH, PROFITABILITY, AND SUSTAINABILITY, WHILE LOWERING THEIR CARBON FOOTPRINT. THESE INVESTMENTS STRENGTHEN FOOD SYSTEMS BY HELPING FARMERS REDUCE FOOD WASTE AND RELIANCE ON CONVENTIONAL POWER, BUILD EQUITY IN REAL ASSETS, AND SELL IN MORE PROFITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE MARKETS. BUSINESS SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: IN 2024, FARMLINK ESTABLISHED THE BUSINESS SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO FACILITATE ONE-ON-ONE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR LOAN READINESS AND ONGOING COMPLIANCE WITH LOAN CONDITIONS, INCLUDING EDUCATION ON SMALL BUSINESS TAX PREPARATION AND BOOKKEEPING ASSISTANCE. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A: LENDING PROGRAM. THE LENDING PROGRAM PROVIDES FLEXIBLY STRUCTURED FINANCING TO UNDERSERVED, LOW-INCOME, BEGINNING FARMERS, RANCHERS AND FISHERS ACROSS CALIFORNIA FOR OPERATING, EQUIPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND LAND PURCHASE LOANS. THIS PROGRAM BEGAN IN 2005 WHEN FARMLINK IDENTIFIED A LACK OF ACCESS TO FINANCING AS ONE OF THE TOP OBSTACLES FACED BY SMALL-SCALE AND LOW-INCOME FARMERS. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LENDERS, FARMLINK INITIALLY DEVELOPED A FARM LOAN FUND TO PROVIDE FINANCING TO UNDERSERVED GROWERS. DURING THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF THE PROGRAM, FARMLINK RAISED LENDING CAPITAL AND LENT IT TO PARTNERING LENDING INSTITUTIONS WHO ACTED AS THE LENDER OF RECORD TO MAKE LOANS TO SMALL FARMERS. FARMLINK OBTAINED ITS LENDING LICENSE FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORPORATIONS AT THE END OF 2010 AND SECURED GUARANTEED LENDER STATUS FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) FARM SERVICE AGENCY (FSA) IN 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. TO MAINTAIN GOOD STANDING UNDER THIS PROGRAM, FARMLINK IS REQUIRED TO MAKE AT LEAST 60% OF ITS ANNUAL LOAN ORIGINATIONS AND DOLLAR VOLUME TO AN ELIGIBLE "TARGET MARKET" OF BUSINESS BORROWERS. IN 2013, FARMLINK IDENTIFIED LOW-INCOME AND LATINE BUSINESS BORROWERS AS ITS TARGET MARKET. FARMLINK'S LENDING 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 2024, FARMLINK ORIGINATED 40 LOANS ($13,388,874 IN TOTAL VOLUME) WITH AN AVERAGE SIZE OF $334,721. IN 2023, FARMLINK ORIGINATED 65 LOANS ($10,185,000 IN TOTAL VOLUME) WITH AN AVERAGE SIZE OF $156,984. IN 2024, 80% OF LOAN ORIGINATIONS SERVED ITS TARGET MARKET, COMPRISING 82% OF ANNUAL LOAN VOLUME DEPLOYED. IN 2023, 86% OF LOAN ORIGINATIONS SERVED ITS TARGET MARKET, COMPRISING 82% OF TOTAL LOAN VOLUME. FARMLINK ALSO FOCUSES ON GENERATING PATHWAYS TO OWNERSHIP AND 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 ON-FARM HOUSING. OF THE $7.76 MILLION FARMLINK DEPLOYED IN 12 LAND LOANS TO BUSINESSES IN 2024, 77% SUPPORTED LAND FINANCING LOANS FOR LOW-INCOME FARM BUSINESSES, AND/OR FARM BUSINESSES OWNERS OF COLOR. IN 2021, FARMLINK WAS APPROVED BY THE CALIFORNIA OCEAN PROTECTION COUNCIL TO MANAGE THE "CALIFORNIA FISHERIES FUND." AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024, FARMLINK WAS SERVICING AN OUTSTANDING PORTFOLIO OF 23 LOANS AND $2,868,746 THROUGH THE PROGRAM. FARMLINK PRIORITIZES 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 2024, FARMLINK DEPLOYED $944,093 THROUGH 7 LOANS, AND IN 2023 IT DEPLOYED $523,000 THROUGH 6 LOANS TO SMALL SCALE FISHERS. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4B: LAND AND BUSINESS (LAB) PROGRAMS. THERE ARE THREE RELATED LAND AND BUSINESS PROGRAMS: EQUITY AND CONSERVATION ON WORKING LANDS (ECWL), RESILIENCE AND WEALTH BUILDING (RWB), AND BUSINESS AND INNOVATION (B&I). IN 2024, FARMLINK STAFF PROVIDED DIRECT, INDIVIDUALIZED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO 313 FARMERS AND RANCHERS ACROSS THESE PROGRAMS. THROUGHOUT ITS PROGRAMMING, FARMLINK EMPLOYS THE "CLIENT JOURNEY," A CLIENT-CENTRIC SERVICE PHILOSOPHY TO HARNESS THE ORGANIZATIONAL PILLARS OF LAND, CAPITAL AND EDUCATION TOWARD THE OVERALL GOAL OF BUSINESS STABILITY, OPERATIONAL ADVANCEMENT, AND OVERALL RISK MANAGEMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION'S GROWING OUTSTANDING LOAN PORTFOLIO. EQUITY AND CONSERVATION ON WORKING LANDS: LAND ACCESS: FARMLINK INCREASES OPPORTUNITIES FOR CALIFORNIA'S SMALL-SCALE AND BEGINNING FARMERS TO OBTAIN SECURE, AFFORDABLE, LONG-TERM ACCESS TO FARMLAND THROUGH LEASE OR PURCHASE. FARMLINK APPLIES PROVEN STRATEGIES TO HELP LANDHOLDERS WORK WITH BEGINNING AND SMALL-SCALE FARMERS, INCLUDING WAYS TO IDENTIFY A QUALIFIED TENANT, HOW TO ASSESS A PROPERTY, AND BEST PRACTICES FOR DEVELOPING AN EQUITABLE LEASE AGREEMENT. FARMLINK'S LAND PORTAL OFFERS A BILINGUAL ONLINE COMMUNITY TO CONNECT QUALIFIED BUSINESSES WITH LAND AVAILABLE FOR LEASE OR SALE, AND STAFF FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT AND NEGOTIATION OF STRONG AND EQUITABLE LEASE AGREEMENTS, AND SUPPORT FARMERS WITH FINANCING AND NEGOTIATING LAND PURCHASES. SINCE 2011, FARMLINK STAFF HAVE DEVELOPED 592 SUCCESSFUL LEASES OR PURCHASES TAILORED TO THE NEEDS OF LANDHOLDERS AND GROWERS. CONSERVATION: FARMLINK INCREASES OPPORTUNITIES FOR CALIFORNIA'S SMALL-SCALE AND BEGINNING FARMERS TO PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP THEM ADOPT PRACTICES THAT PROTECT AND IMPROVE NATURAL RESOURCES, SOIL HEALTH, WATER QUALITY AND BIODIVERSITY. IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE WORK INCLUDE DEEPENING PARTNERSHIPS WITH LAND TRUSTS, RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS (RCDS) AND OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, AND ORIGINATING LOANS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT REGENERATIVE FARMING PRACTICES. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024, FARMLINK PRODUCED A CONSERVATION BRIDGE LOAN PARTNER GUIDE, AND COLLABORATED WITH RCDS IN CORE LENDING COUNTIES (MONTEREY AND SANTA CRUZ) TO SUPPORT 10 FARM BUSINESSES IN ACCESSING STATE AND FEDERAL CONSERVATION INCENTIVES. SUCCESSION: THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION ESTIMATES THAT CLOSE TO 50,000 ACRES OF CALIFORNIA'S AGRICULTURAL LAND IS TAKEN OUT OF PRODUCTION EACH YEAR, MOST OF IT CONVERTED TO URBAN, HIGHLY DEVELOPED, AND LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL USES. MOST AGRICULTURAL LAND LEAVES AGRICULTURE IN THE YEARS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF THE PRIMARY OPERATOR, OFTEN BECAUSE THE FAMILY HAS NOT MADE A PLAN TO ENSURE THE LAND WILL REMAIN IN THE FAMILY OR IN AGRICULTURE. "THE REGENERATOR: A YEAR OF FARM SUCCESSION PLANNING," IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT FARM FAMILIES IN PLANNING TO ENSURE THAT THEIR LANDS CAN REMAIN IN THEIR FAMILY AND CAN REMAIN IN PRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURE. PARTICIPANTS CONVENE MONTHLY TO LEARN FROM PROFESSIONALS, COMPARE NOTES WITH THEIR PEERS, AND WORK STEP-BY-STEP TO PLAN FOR THEIR ESTATE'S FUTURE, AND THE HEALTH AND CONTINUITY OF THEIR WORKING FARMS AND RANCHES. EACH FAMILY RECEIVES SUBSTANTIAL MEDIATION AND FACILITATION SUPPORT FROM THE CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL MEDIATION PROGRAM, AND $1,800 TO BE USED FOR LEGAL AND ACCOUNTING FEES. AT THE END OF THE PROGRAM, EACH MEMBER OF THE SENIOR GENERATION IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A CURRENT WILL, TRUST, POWER OF ATTORNEY, AND ADVANCED MEDICAL DIRECTIVE, AND EACH FAMILY HAS A DETAILED PLAN FOR TRANSITIONING KNOWLEDGE, ACCESS AND AUTHORITY IN DAILY OPERATIONS. IN 2024, FARMLINK SUPPORTED 6 FARM FAMILIES WITH SUCCESSION PLANNING, PROTECTING 1,344 ACRES OF FARMLAND. 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. THE TWO MAIN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE THE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE RESILERATOR AND THE SPANISH-LANGUAGE RESILERADOR. BOTH PROGRAMS ARE COHORT-BASED AND INCLUDE GROUP LEARNING AND ONE-ON-ONE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. 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. DURING 2024, A TOTAL OF 44 FARMS, RANCHES AND FISHING BUSINESSES COMPLETED THE TWO PROGRAMS. BOTH THE ENGLISH AND SPANISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMS UTILIZE 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 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 OFFERS AN ADVANCED BUSINESS EDUCATION PROGRAM CALLED THE EMPLOYMENT RESILERATOR. THE EMPLOYMENT RESILERATOR IS A COHORT-BASED PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO GRADUATES OF THE RESILERATOR. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE TEN WEEKS OF INSTRUCTION ON LABOR MANAGEMENT FOR FARM BUSINESS EMPLOYERS AS WELL AS FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO HELP THEM ADOPT NEW PRACTICES. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED WITH AN EMPHASIS ON HELPING PARTICIPANTS TO BECOME HIGH-QUALITY EMPLOYERS AND TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WORKPLACE TO CREATE HIGH QUALITY JOBS. THE COURSE SERVED 15 BUSINESSES IN 2024 AND 18 IN 2023. FARMLINK IS FUNDED TO DEVELOP A SPANISH-LANGUAGE VERSION OF THE PROGRAM DURING 2025 FOR DELIVERY IN 2026. BUSINESS AND INNOVATION: FARMLINK'S BUSINESS AND INNOVATION PROGRAM HOUSES NEW AND EMERGING PROGRAMS. SOLARFRESCO IS A NEW PROGRAM TO HELP SMALL-SCALE FARMERS AND FARMERS OF COLOR TO LEAD THE TRANSITION TO CLIMATE-SMART COOLING. THE SOLARFRESCO PROGRAM HELPS LOW-INCOME FARMERS ACQUIRE LOW, OR NO-COST SOLAR-POWERED COOLERS TO BUILD WEALTH, PROFITABILITY, AND SUSTAINABILITY, WHILE LOWERING THEIR CARBON FOOTPRINT. THESE INVESTMENTS STRENGTHEN FOOD SYSTEMS BY HELPING FARMERS REDUCE FOOD WASTE AND RELIANCE ON CONVENTIONAL POWER, BUILD EQUITY IN REAL ASSETS, AND SELL IN MORE PROFITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE MARKETS. AFFORDABLE SOLAR COOLERS FREE FARMERS FROM RELIANCE ON COOLERS OWNED BY OTHERS, ALLOWING THEM TO DECREASE COSTS, REALIZE HIGHER PRICES, AND MANAGE TIME MORE EFFICIENTLY. SOLAR COOLERS ALSO LOWER A FARM'S CARBON FOOTPRINT BY REDUCING FOOD WASTE AND DECREASING RELIANCE ON CONVENTIONAL ENERGY. THE SOLARFRESCO PROGRAM INCLUDES ACCESS TO SUBSTANTIAL EDUCATION AND OTHER DIRECT SUPPORT TO HELP FARMERS MANAGE THE COOLERS AS STRATEGIC ASSETS TO IMPROVE LONG-TERM OPERATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY AND PROFITABILITY. FARMLINK WILL EXPAND AND SUSTAIN THE PROGRAM UTILIZING INVESTMENTS AND GRANT FUNDS FROM FOUNDATIONS, THE USDA RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM (REAP), AND REFUNDABLE FEDERAL TAX CREDITS. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024, TWO COOLERS WERE INSTALLED ON FARMS AND UNDER OPERATION, AND TWO MORE WERE CONSTRUCTED AND AWAITING DELIVERY DISASTER RESPONSE AND PREPAREDNESS: BETWEEN 2023 AND 2024, FARMLINK DIRECTLY SUPPORTED 42 FARM BUSINESSES TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL, STATE AND PRIVATE DISASTER ASSISTANCE RELATED TO EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS AND STORM AND DROUGHT RESPONSE IN CALIFORNIA, AND DIRECTLY PROVIDED SUPPORT IN ACCESSING RELIEF GRANTS TO 27 BUSINESSES INELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC PROGRAMS, IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS. BUSINESS SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: IN 2024, FARMLINK ESTABLISHED THE BUSINESS SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO FACILITATE ONE-ON-ONE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR LOAN READINESS AND ONGOING COMPLIANCE WITH LOAN CONDITIONS, INCLUDING EDUCATION ON SMALL BUSINESS TAX PREPARATION AND BOOKKEEPING ASSISTANCE. CENTRAL TO THIS APPROACH ARE NEWLY DEVELOPED MATERIALS CALLED PASO A PASO. PASO A PASO IS DESIGNED PRIMARILY FOR SPANISH-SPEAKING CLIENTS WHO NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IN DEVELOPING FOUNDATIONAL BUSINESS SKILLS SUCH AS USING A DEDICATED BUSINESS BANK ACCOUNT, KEEPING RECEIPTS WITH APPROPRIATE CONTEMPORANEOUS NOTATIONS, AND WORKING WITH A BOOKKEEPER TO REGULARLY SUMMARIZE BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS INTO A STANDARD AND USEFUL FORMAT. THE PROGRAM UTILIZES A BUSINESS ADVISING APPROACH, WITH FARMLINK STAFF SERVING AS A LIAISON BETWEEN THE CLIENT, APPLICABLE FARMLINK PROGRAMS AND SPECIALIZED SERVICE PROVIDERS TO READY CLIENTS TO ACCESS LOANS, GRANTS, AND OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE OF FARMLINK ALL WHILE ADHERING TO FARMLINK POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IN A WAY THAT IS BOTH TRANSPARENT, CONSISTENT, AND COLLABORATIVE. IN 2024, FARMLINK SUPPORTED 45 FARM BUSINESSES IN DEVELOPING NEW BUSINESS SKILLS TO SUPPORT THEIR ABILITY TO USE FINANCIAL RECORDS TO ACTIVELY PLAN AND MANAGE A SUCCESSFUL FARM BUSINESS. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4B IN DEVELOPING A GROWING ECOSYSTEM OF BUSINESS SUPPORT TO SERVE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES ACROSS THE STATE, FARMLINK CONVENED TWO COHORTS OF 39 SERVICE PROVIDERS AND PROFESSIONALS IN 2024 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 SERIES ADDRESSED BUSINESS STRUCTURES, ACCOUNTING AND BOOKKEEPING, TAXATION, CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT, LABOR AND INSURANCE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION. FOR A DETAILED DISCUSSION OF FARMLINK'S BUSINESS MODEL, PLEASE SEE THE PUBLICATION "WHAT IS AN AGRICULTURAL CDFI?" ON FARMLINK'S WEBSITE. 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 SEPTEMBER OF 2025, CALIFORNIA FARMLINK CONDUCTED AN INTERNAL REVIEW OF 2024'S FORM 990. REVIEWERS INCLUDED THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, CONTROLLER, AND THE COMPLIANCE MANAGER. THEN, A DRAFT COPY WAS DISTRIBUTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THEIR REVIEW PRIOR TO FILING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE PROCESS TO MONITOR CONFLICT OF INTEREST: CALIFORNIA FARMLINK'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF ARE SUBJECT TO LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AS OUTLINED IN FARMLINK'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. BOARD AND STAFF ARE TO PROMPTLY DISCLOSE ANY AFFILIATIONS OR OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY CONSTITUTE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THESE PARTIES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY AND/OR CORRECTIVE ACTIONS FOR FAILURE TO DISCLOSE ACTUAL OR POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A THE PROCESS FOR DETERMINING THE CEO'S COMPENSATION: A COMPENSATION ANALYSIS WAS PREPARED BY OUR HUMAN RESOURCES GENERALIST, UTILIZING CONTEMPORANEOUS SALARY SURVEYS AND DATA FROM SIMILAR NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, REVIEWED BY AN INDEPENDENT HUMAN RESOURCE PROFESSIONAL, AND SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR REVIEW AND 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 1,015,525. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 78,735. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 60,874. TOTAL EXPENSES 1,155,134. 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.