Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship

“The board has developed an ad hoc committee to meet and review the Form 990 prior to it being filed with the IRS.”

“A signed conflict of interest statement is updated annually by each member of the board of directors.”

“The executive committee must obtain comparison data from an expert source or from industry surveys conducted by an independent source. If no independent source is available, the executive committee may obtain comparable data by documenting the compensation paid to directors holding similar positions in similar organizations locally. The evaluation shall include a face-to-face interview as well as a written review of the employees strengths and weaknesses, a review of progress made since the last review period, and establishment of goals for the next review period. The evaluation shall also include a peer review, including, but not limited to staff, consultants, and partners. When merited, the performance evaluation may serve as the basis for an increase in base pay or the payments of a one-time bonus payment, as determined by the board of directors, based upon the nature of the review and within budgetary constraints. Once the executive committee has determined the directors compensation or an increase to the directors compensation is reasonable, the executive committee will prepare a written report to the board documenting its decision.”

“It shall be the policy of cade to have governing documents, the conflict of interest policy and the organizations financial statements available to the public upon request. These documents shall be kept by the treasurer or executive director as appointed by the board of directors of cade. The treasurer or executive director of cade shall produce the documents upon receipt of a written or verbal request of the public. The treasurer or executive director shall keep a record of the written and/or verbal request.”

“OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: Fiscal Sponsorship ProgramCADEs Fiscal Sponsorship Program offers a new opportunity for farm and food businesses to identify and bring in new sources of capital to invest in their enterprises. Farm and food businesses that become fiscally sponsored by CADE can request funding from organizations or individuals that require non-profit status. That means foundations can award grants to farm and food businesses--normally reserved for non-profit, or 501c3 organizations--and individuals interested in funding projects or donating to farm and food businesses enrolled in this program, who can then receive a tax exemption letter for their donation. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 6: Emerging Markets Training Program (EMPT)CADEs EMTP aims to establish new markets and facilitate economic growth in sustainable agriculture in 12 counties of Central NY. The Program will leverage CADEs market research, successes, and learnings from the Value Chain Acceleration program, Farm to School program, and FFBI to build the capacity of local institutions to purchase Central NY farm products, as well as farmers and local distributors to increase and retain online sales and meet institutional purchasing requirements. These activities will reduce marketing costs, increase farm sales and profitability, improve farmer readiness for emerging markets and, as a result, foster greater collaboration between farmers and local food processors and distributors. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 7: Distance Learning (DL)CADE's DL program aims to increase the profitability and long term viability of farm and food businesses across New York State by expanding our programing through distance learning and promotion of free and accessible digital content for our community of agribusiness clients. Through this work, we are providing online educational instruction, curating and promoting in-demand digital content, offering Zoom-based technical assistance and training for small and emerging businesses, and video-based financial and business planning support. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 8: Land AccessIn partnership with the American Farmland Trust and the Schoharie Land Trust, CADE is working to conserve farmland and transition it to the next generation of farmland owners and operators in Schoharie and Delaware Counties. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 9: Dairy Farm Support (DFS) Program CADE's DFS program is aimed at increasing the profitability and long term viability of dairy farms in the Mohawk Valley and Southern Tier region's of New York. We do this by incubating new dairy enterprises and value-added product lines, increasing access to capital, opening new market opportunities, encouraging diversification, and more. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 10: Value Chain Facilitation (VCF) Program CADE's VCF program aims to increase farm profits, regional output of farm and food products, and market development. Specifically, the program supports farm and food businesses with market research and opens market opportunities in New York City and Upstate; promotes affordable access to restaurant, retail, institutional, CSA and wholesale buyers in NYC and Upstate Urban Centers; and helps secure private investment for food system operation enhancement/expansion.”