HomeMy WebLinkAboutApplications_City Farm SLO DEI 2022 ApplicationDiversity, Equity and Inclusion
2022-2023 GRANT FUNDING FOR HIGH IMPACT DE&I PROJECTS
Pl e ase provi de al l re que ste d i nformati on be f ore submi tti ng your appl i cati on. Please be as spe cific as possible !
I f accommoda on or assistance is n eed ed in co mple ng this A pplica on, or if a paper ve rsion is prefe rre d, ple ase
contact (805) 781-7100 or D EI@slocity.org
Organization Name :*
Y e ar Establishe d:*
Fiscal Age nt, if diffe re nt than abov e :*
Tax ID #:*
Docume nt Ce rtifying Fe de ral Tax-Exe mpt status, if applicable
Name of Exe cutiv e Dire ctor (or highe st le ade rship position)
Approximate Annual Budge t:
M ajor Source s of Funding:
M ission State me nt:
Numbe r of paid staff (full- or part-time ):
Numbe r of v olunte e rs:
Name of Board Pre side nt or Chair:
Organizational Le ade rship Chart *
Name of Pe rson comple ting this Application:
PART 1: APPLICANT INFORMATION
Central Coast Ag Network dba City Farm SLO
2007
N/A
203447329
2007-07-31 irs exemption letter.pdf 668.85KB
Kayla Rutland
300,000
Jewish Community Foundation, Sprouts Foundation, Individual Donors, County of SLO, Earned Revenue.
To empower youth to live healthier, more prosperous lives through sustainable agriculture and farm-based
education.
5
65
Steven Marx
2022 City Farm SLO Organizational Chart.pdf 33.87KB
Kayla Rutland
Organization M ailing Addre ss:*
Phone :*
E-mail:*
Brie fly de scribe your organization’s mission, primary activ itie s, and ope rating structure s.
De scribe the community(ie s) your organization supports.
City
San Luis Obispo
State / Province / Region
California
Postal / Zip Code
93403
Country
United States
Street Address
PO Box 3736
Address Line 2
8057698344
kayla@cityfarmslo.org
City Farm SLO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower youth to live healthier,
more prosperous lives through sustainable agriculture and farm-based education. Our youth programs
improve student health and success through education in health and nutrition, science, food literacy, and
environmental literacy. City Farm SLO also enables small-scale farmers in sustainable crop production and
models regenerative agricultural practices. We increase local food security by distributing the produce
generated by our programs back to the community through multiple channels including a close partnership
with the SLO Food Bank.
Since 2013, City Farm SLO has delivered Therapeutic Horticulture programming to students with
disabilities in partnership with San Luis Coastal Unified School District (SLCUSD). In this program, students
complete farm-based lessons aimed at improving task initiation, language skills, following directions, and
social skills. Students learn to work independently and in groups, and problem solve. They also enjoy
physical activity and can improve their coordination, balance, and endurance. A wealth of research links
therapeutic horticulture sessions to improvements in mental wellbeing, physical health, social self-efficacy,
and quality of life for people with disabilities.
City Farm SLO is governed by a 5-member board of directors and led by a full-time executive director. We
employ 2 full-time staff, 3 part-time staff, and are supported by a full-time AmeriCorps VIP position (starting
September 2022), 28 Cal Poly College Corps Fellows (starting September 2022), 6 interns, and more than
60 regular and committed volunteers.
Name of DE&I Proje ct *
Est. numbe r of pe ople se rv e d through this proje ct:*
Est. numbe r of SLO CITY RESIDENTS se rv e d through this proje ct *
Total Proje ct Cost:*
AM OUNT OF CITY FUNDING REQUESTED:*
De scribe your propose d proje ct or program.
Please be specif ic in the population and geographic area.
City Farm SLO is located San Luis Obispo, CA. Programming is held on-site and serves youth from across
SLO County including Kindergarten-6th grade students, continuation high schoolers attending Pacific
Beach High School, teens, and children and young adults with disabilities. 73% of our youth program
participants are residents of the City of SLO. Programs target marginalized communities including people
of color, low-income, and people with disabilities.
Our programs serve the following constituents:
PBHS Farm Class: Serves students of Pacific Beach High School (PBHS). PBHS provides an alternative
secondary education program for students 16 years or older in grades 10-12. All students are considered
“at-risk” for one of the following reasons:
• About 1/3 of students experienced difficulty adjusting to the social and learning environments of
comprehensive high schools.
• About 1/3 of students are impacted by substance abuse.
• About 1/3 of students exhibit learning disabilities and are served by the Individualized Education Program
(IEP) or through Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• 23% of students are English Language Learners and participate in the English Language Development
Program (ELD, formerly known as ESL). This is more than twice the percentage in the Comprehensive
High Schools.
Youth Empowerment Program (YEP): YEP students are recruited in collaboration with nonprofit partners
(Peoples’ Self Help Housing, Restorative Partners, and the Promotores) and SLO County school districts.
In YEP’s pilot session, 82% of students identified as people of color. The majority of students are Spanish-
speaking, and sessions are conducted bilingually in English and Spanish.
On-the-Farm Field Trips: This program serves Kinder – 6th Grade students throughout San Luis Obispo
County. We conduct specific outreach to schools with greater than 50% Free/Reduced Price Lunch Rates
and offer fee waivers for these schools.
Therapeutic Horticulture: See more info in part 2, project information.
PART 2: PROJECT INFORMATION
Expanding Access to Farm-Based Education for Individuals with Disabilities
2524
1,766
70,838
20,000
De scribe the community the proje ct will support.
Specify w hat the requested f unds w ill be used f or, the need for this project, the number of people impacted. Include a project plan, if available.
City Farm SLO requests $20,000 in matching funds to support the full execution of Expanding Access to
Farm-Based Education for Individuals with Disabilities. This capital project will provide critical infrastructure
to increase universal accessibility at City Farm SLO for youth in our existing education programs and for
individuals reached by our existing community programs.
Since 2013, City Farm SLO has delivered weekly Therapeutic Horticulture programming to students with
disabilities in partnership with San Luis Coastal Unified School District. In the 2021-2022 academic year,
we tripled the number of students served by this program. The program now serves 36 high-needs
students on a regular basis, and this number will increase as services are offered to more special
education classrooms. As the demand for services continues to increase, the need for supportive
infrastructure is becoming more urgent.
Currently, much of City Farm SLO is inaccessible to students with disabilities. Many students use walkers,
wheelchairs, or experience mobility limitations. This project will reduce equity gaps to allow for inclusive
participation in programming among all our students through the addition of the following elements:
Universally Accessible Garden: This new construction, called “A Garden for All” will feature a decomposed
granite foundation and pathways, raised beds at varying heights including full wheelchair access, shade
structures, a mobile classroom, cooking cart, and sensory gardens. This space will provide the main
instruction area for our Therapeutic Horticulture programming and will also serve students in our Farm
Field Trip programs, Youth Empowerment Program, and Pacific Beach High School Farm Class. Garden
designs and a detailed budget are available upon request. “A Garden for All” was designed by a
stakeholder group consisting of City Farm SLO staff, program participants, SLCUSD staff, TenOver
Studios Architects, and local advisors in universal design.
Universally Accessible Pathway & Signage: We will install 400 ft length of ADA-compliant pathway to
ensure that all students and community members can access key points of City Farm SLO that have been
previously inaccessible by wheelchair/walker/etc. This pathway will connect the “Garden for All” to our
animal enclosures, fruit orchard, and teaching spaces. We will install twelve standalone educational signs
along the pathway at key points. Signage will be ADA compliant and will serve as an educational tool for
students and will provide a self-guided walking tour for other visitors.
Universally Accessible Restroom: We will replace our single-unit portable restroom with a Clivus Multrum
M54 Composting Toilet. This is a cost effective, ADA-compliant alternative to vault toilets, pit latrines, and
portable restrooms. This option is designed for use in remote areas like City Farm SLO which does not
have sewer access.
Project Outputs
- In 2023-2024, the project will be used to deliver 550 individual instruction hours to 40 students in our
Therapeutic Horticulture Program
- In 2023-2024, the project will be used to serve 1,284 students in our Farm Field Trip Program, Youth
Empowerment Program, and Pacific Beach High School Farm Class
- In 2023-2024, the project will serve more than 1,200 local community members who visit City Farm SLO
for volunteer days, farm tours, public and private events, and educational workshops.
Project impacts:
- A reduction in equity gaps will allow for equal participation in our youth programs.
- At least 90% of Therapeutic Horticulture program participants will report a mental or physical health
benefit.
- At least 90% of community program participants will report a mental or physical health benefit as a result
of their experience.
De scribe the e quity gaps and community ne e ds this proje ct will addre ss.
In the table below briefly list 2-3 methods of evaluation and indicators of success or
measurable outcomes.
M e thods of Ev aluation Indicators of Succe ss / M e asurable Outcome s
In the chart below, identify any partnerships/collaborations that are supporting this
project, and their roles.
Name of Partne r Activ ity/Se rv ice The y Prov ide for This Proje ct
Specify the population, location of services provided, and any other identif iers your proposed project w ill support.
Primary community served by the project: Students served by our Therapeutic Horticulture Program are
enrolled in one of SLCUSD’s special education programs. Eligible disabilities include specific learning
disabilities, limited intellectual functioning, autism, speech and language impairments, hard of hearing,
deaf/blind, visual impairments, emotionally disturbed, orthopedically impaired, other health impaired, and
traumatic brain injury.
Secondary community served by the project: In 2021-2022 City Farm SLO welcomed over 1,000 visitors
for public events, educational workshops, farm tours, and volunteer days. The majority of visitors are
residents of SLO City. 5.8% of residents of SLO City under the age of 65 have a disability. Many of our
visitors are senior citizens and experience mobility limitations.
The United States education system has continually underserved students with disabilities as this
historically underserved group has chronically underperformed when compared to their peers without
disabilities in numerous outcomes including national and state test scores, graduation rates, post high
school earnings, and unemployment rates. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress,
across most grade levels and content areas, students with disabilities consistently have the lowest in
achievement scores compared to other demographic groups (race/ethnicity, gender, National School
Lunch Program eligibility). This effect cascades further and creates longitudinal impacts, including having
one of the lowest high school graduation rates (63.1 percent compared to 82.3 percent overall). This
translates to an alarming unemployment rate that is roughly twice as high (10.7 percent) compared to
people without disabilities (5.1 percent).
The goal of City Farm SLO’s Therapeutic Horticulture program aligns with that of SLCUSD; to encourage
and facilitate each student to become all that he/she is capable of being through the highest quality
programs and services in the least restrictive environments possible.
Example : # of BIPOC serving on public boards, committees
Complete project installation
Example: 10% increase by end of 2021
Project installation begins by January 2023 and is
complete by January 2024
Example : # of BIPOC serving on public boards, committees
# of individuals served in the Therapeutic
Horticulture program in 2023-2024
Example: 10% increase by end of 2021
At least 40 individuals will be served by our
Therapeutic Horticulture program in 2023-2024
Example : # of BIPOC serving on public boards, committees
% of participants who experienced a mental or
physical health benefit (as reported by the
individual participant or student aide/teacher)
Example: 10% increase by end of 2021
At least 90% of participants will report a mental or
physical health benefit in 2023-2024
Example: ABC Business
San Luis Coastal Unified School District
Example: Free Use of Space f or Weekend Classes
Collaborates on Therapeutic Horticulture program
- brings students to weekly farm sessions led by
City Farm SLO staff.
Example: ABC Business
Cal Poly & the College Corps Program
Example: Free Use of Space f or Weekend Classes
College Corps Fellows will support infrastructure
build and educational programming
Prov ide the time line for this propose d proje ct.
De scribe your plan for sustainability be yond the City’s one -ye ar award funding, if applicable .
Using the table below, please provide a broadly-itemized budget for your project,
including the source of any matching funds.
Ite m De scription *Total Cost *Amount Prov ide d by
City Funds *
Amount of Othe r
Funds and Source of
Funding *
1
Activities:
1. A committee of stakeholders meets regularly to design and manage the project (April 2022- January
2024)
1.1. Stakeholder group formed. Includes City Farm SLO staff, program participants, SLCUSD staff,
TenOver Studios Architects, and local advisors in universal design. (April 2022)
1.2. Stakeholder group conducted a needs assessment and subsequently developed a project design and
budget. (June -July 2022)
1.3. Stakeholder group has received bids on the construction projects from multiple local contractors and
used these bids to develop a final project budget. (August 2022)
1.4. An initial fundraising campaign raised $7,200 from individual donors and local foundations. (August
2022)
1.5. Stakeholder group works with a local firms to design & print signage (January -March 2023)
2. Construction (January 2023 – January 2024)
2.1. Contractor installs a decomposed granite foundation and shade structure supports for the Garden for
All. (January 2023)
2.2. City Farm SLO Farm Manager, volunteers, and students build raised beds and mobile classroom.
(January 2023)
2.3. Contractor installs the Clivus Multrum M45 Toilet Kit. (February 2023)
2.4. Contractor installs universally accessible pathways. (June – August 2023)
2.5. Signage installation (August – September 2023)
3. Project promotion and integration into existing programming
3.1. City Farm SLO Farm Education Coordinator will lead students in the planting of a sensory garden
(January 2023)
3.2. A Garden for All will be unveiled with an Open House for students and families (Spring 2023)
3.3. Project will be recognized at our annual fundraiser event (October 2023, 2024)
3.4. All youth programs & community programs use the new infrastructure as a part of programming
(ongoing)
4. Project maintenance
4.1. Ongoing maintenance of the Garden for All will be led by the Farm Education Coordinator with support
from Cal Poly College Corps Fellows and students in our youth education programs. (ongoing)
4.2. Annual re-grade of walkways will be done by contractor (annual)
4.3. Reprint of signage (every 5-10 years)
4.4. Bathroom structure will be maintained by City Farm SLO’s Farm Manager (as needed)
The City’s one-year award funds will be used for a capital infrastructure project to support ongoing, funded
programming. Once installed, we anticipate annual maintenance costs of $2,500-3,500 per year to include
regrading decomposed granite walkways, bathroom maintenance, raised bed maintenance, and signage
reprint (every 5-10 years). These annual maintenance costs will be written into future program budgets.
PART 3: PROJECT COST / BUDGET
Universally Accessible Garden
(Materials & Installation)
20,143.00$5,000.00$15,143.00$
2
3
*During application review , you may be asked for f urther f inancial information or f or proof of any matching f unds
De scribe the plan for promoting this proje ct within the City of San Luis Obispo.
How will you highlight the City's support of your proje ct?
By signi ng thi s applicaon, I ce rfy that the i nformaon containe d w i thin is true and corre ct to the be st of my
know l e dge . I agre e to comply w i th the re quire me nts of the Ci ty of the San Lui s Obispo.
Name of Pe rson comple ting this Application:*
Signature *
Title :*
Date :*
Universally Accessible
Pathway & Signage (Materials
& Installation)
18,195.00$10,000.00$8,159.00$
Universally Accessible
Restroom (Materials &
Installation)
32,500.00$5,000.00$27,500.00$
PART 4: AWARENESS AND VISIBILITY
This project will be put to immediate use within our longstanding programs including Therapeutic
Horticulture, Farm Class offered in partnership with Pacific Beach High School, Farm Field Trips serving
Kindergarten – 6th grade classrooms throughout SLO County, and the Youth Empowerment Program for
underserved teens in SLO County.
Outside of our youth education programs, this project will be immediately incorporated into our existing
Farm Tour Program and Volunteer Programs which are open to all community members.
The project will be highlighted at our Open House event for families and students in our Therapeutic
Horticulture Programs and Graduation Ceremonies for our Youth Empowerment Program. It will also be
highlighted at our many public events and tours which bring more than 1200 visitors every year.
Supporters of City Farm SLO are recognized on our website, social media, and email newsletters.
Supporters of the Garden for All project will be specifically recognized with permanent signage within the
physical garden space. Other structures including ADA bathrooms and site signage allow opportunities for
sponsor recognition; we welcome the City’s requests or ideas!
PART 5: CERTIFICATION
Kayla Rutland
Executive Director
8/25/2022
This is a copy of the original paper document, scanned
by Ty Griffin on 12/9/2020. It replaces an older and
worse scanned version. As of this date, the original paper
document is in our permanent records box.
City Farm SLO Organizational Chart
Board of Directors
Executive Director
(Kayla Rutland)
Farm Manager
(Shane Lovell)
Farm Hand
Regenerative Farming
Interns
Farm Edu
Coordinator
(Lauren Picone)
Farm Education
Interns
YEP Facilitator
(Mayte Magallon)
YEP Co-Facilitator
(Adriana Arias)
YEP Student Interns
Volunteer Programs
Coordinator
(vacant)
College Corps Fellows
& Volunteers