Cultivating Community

“Form 990 tax return is thoroughly reviewed by the executive director and the treasurer of the board of directors before it is filed.”

“Board members are reminded regularly to disclose any potential conflicts of interest in accordance with the organization's policy, especially prior to voting and discussing issues requiring board action.”

“The board reviews and approves budgets annually which include salary information. Salaries are benchmarked against the Maine Association of Non-Profits biannual wage and salary survey which provides comparability data.”

“Documents are avaliable at our opffices upon request.”

“Documents are avaliable at our opffices upon request.”

“Form 990, Part I, Line 1, Description of Organization Mission: SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. FORM 990 PART III. LINE 4A - PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS CULTIVATING COMMUNITY'S WORK IS FOCUSED BY CRITICAL QUESTIONS IN THREE AREAS: - COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY: HOW CAN WE ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO THE BEST DIET- LOCAL, SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED FOOD- REGARDLESS OF LOCATION OR INCOME? - COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT: HOW CAN WE ENSURE THAT ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERSESPECIALLY HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY MEMBERS SUCH AS IMMIGRANTS AND YOUTH- HAVE THE TOOLS TO IMPOVE THEIR OWN LIVES AND THE GREATER COMMUNITY? - COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY: HOW CAN WE MODEL AND FOSTER WAYS OF LIVING THAT WILL SUSTAIN US WHILE ALLOWING FUTURE GENERATIONS TO FLOURISH? SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IS THE ENGINE THAT DRIVES HOW WE ADDRESS THESE THREE QUESTIONS. OUR COMMUNITY FOOD WORK INCLUDES GROWING PRODUCE AND MAKING IT AVAILABLE TO LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS THROUGH FREE AND REDUCED PRICE CSA SHARES AND THROUGH THE EMERGENCY FOOD SYSTEM. WE ALSO CONVENE FARM STANDS AND SUPPORT FARMERS MARKETS IN LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE CUSTOMERS CAN LEVERAGE THEIR FEDERAL NUTRITION BENEFITS INCLUDING SNAP (FORMERLY FOOD STAMPS), WIC, AND SFMVP (SENIOR FARM SHARE IN MAINE). OUR COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT WORK ENCOMPASSES A REFUGEE FARMER TRAINING PROGRAM THAT HELPS IMMIGRANT FAMILIES MOVE CLOSER TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH TRAINING AND FARM ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT. OUR GROWING SEASON YOUTH PROGRAMS- YOUTH GROWERS, GROW INTERNS, CULINARY CREW, AND MORE- APPLY A FOOD SYSTEM LENS TO HELPING YOUTH DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS AS WORKERS, CITIZENS, LEADERS, AND STEWARDS. AND OUR MANY SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS SUPPORT TEACHERS AND STUDENTS WHO SEE FOOD AND FARM WORK AS A WAY TO DEVELOP SKILLS IN LEADERSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP. OUR COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY WORK ENCOMPASSES THE FACT THAT WE GROW RIGHT WHERE PEOPLE LIVE AND EAT, USING ONLY SUSTAINABLEAND, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, CERTIFIED ORGANIC PRACTICES. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b: FORM 990 TAX RETURN IS THOROUGHLY REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE TREASURER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BEFORE IT IS FILED. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c: Board members are reminded regularly to disclose any potential conflicts of interest in accordance with the organization's policy, especially prior to voting and discussing issues requiring board action. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15: The board reviews and approves budgets annually which include salary information. Salaries are benchmarked against the Maine Association of Non-Profits biannual wage and salary survey which provides comparability data. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19: AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST Form 990, Part IX, Line 11g, Other Fees: CONTRACT SERVICES: Program service expenses 811,589 Management and general expenses 208,536 Fundraising expenses 41,041 Total expenses 1,061,166 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: Program service expenses 37,968 Management and general expenses 13,560 Fundraising expenses 2,712 Total expenses 54,240 Total Other Fees on Form 990, Part IX, line 11g, Col A 0 Form 990 Part XII, Line 2c: The process has not changed from the prior year.”