HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Farm 2024-25 HSG ApplicationHuman Services Grant Application
2024-25 Application Questions
Part 1 Basic Information
1. Organization Name *
Central Coast Ag Network dba City Farm SLO
2. Fiscal Agent (if different than above)*
N/A
3. Project/Program Name *
2025 Youth Empowerment Program
4. Requested Amount *
$15,000
5. Name of Person Completing Application *
Kayla Rutland
6. Name of Person for Grant Communication and Contract for Grant Cycle (if different from above)*
N/A
7. Organization Mailing Address *
PO Box 3736 San Luis Obispo, CA 93403
8. Phone *
8057698344
9. Email *
kayla@cityfarmslo.org
Part 2 Organizational Information
1. Purpose/Mission Statement *
City Farm SLO’s mission is to empower the next generation to live healthier, more prosperous lives through sustainable agriculture and
farm-based education.
2. Briefly describe your organization’s purpose, vision, primary activities, and operating structures *
We work toward this mission by educating SLO County youth with farm-based programming, providing beginning or under-resourced
farmers with affordable land and services to enable sustainable crop production, modeling regenerative agricultural practices, and
engaging a diverse community of people.
Since 2013, City Farm SLO has partnered with schools and community organizations to provide educational programming to SLO County
youth. Youth programs improve health outcomes through farm-based education in health and nutrition, science, food literacy, and
environmental literacy. We recognize the social determinants of health and work to increase equitable access to wholesome foods. We
strengthen our local food system by incubating small farms and distributing the produce generated by our programs back to the
community through multiple channels including a partnership with the SLO Food Bank.
City Farm SLO maintains low overhead costs with a small but mighty staff, a committed Board of Directors, and a powerful team of
volunteers and interns including 20 California College Corps Fellows. Our team designs data-driven programs and leverages partnerships
with other agencies to deduplicate efforts and best serve local needs.
3. Name of Executive Director *
Kayla Rutland
4. Name of Board President or Chair *
Steven Marx & Gina Ruedebusch
5. Number of paid staff (full or part-time)*
6
6. Number of volunteers *
250
7. Describe the community(ies) your organization supports *
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, at-risk continuation high schoolers at Pacific Beach High School, at-risk teens, and children and young
adults with disabilities. Each of our youth education programs focuses on a different population, yet all have an emphasis on underserved
youth. Our programs serve the following constituents:
Youth Empowerment Program (YEP): YEP primarily serves teens who self-identify as one or more of the following: ethnic or racial minority,
English language learner, receiving food stamps or cash assistance, on probation or parole, homeless or unstable housing, Foster youth, or
youth with a disability. Most students are Spanish-speaking, and sessions are conducted bilingually in English and Spanish.
PBHS Farm Class: Serves Pacific Beach High School Students. All students are considered “at-risk” for one of the following reasons: unable to
adjust to the social and learning environments of comprehensive high schools; affected by substance abuse; exhibit learning disabilities;
English language learners.
Therapeutic Horticulture: This program serves children and young adults enrolled in San Luis Coastal Unified School District’s Pre-vocation
Recreation Education Adult Readiness Experience (PREPARE) program or Special Day Classes. Program participants are experiencing
physical or mental disability, and our on-farm programming is tailored to each of their individual needs.
Farm Field Trips: This program serves Kindergarten – 5th Grade students throughout San Luis Obispo County. Our outreach efforts targets
schools with greater than 50% Free/Reduced Price Lunch Rates and a fee waiver is offered to those schools.
Other: City Farm SLO offers public and private tours, special events and workshops, and volunteer/intern opportunities to the community at
large.
8. Approximate Annual Budget *
$375,000
9. Major Sources of Funding *
USDA Grant, Local Food Promotion Program
CDFA Grant, Farm to School Incubator
SLO County ARPA
Local Foundation Grants
Individual donors
Program revenue
Part 3 Project/Program Information
14. In the table below include a minimum of four (4) metrics or performance outcomes that
relate to the implementation/success of the project. Examples include: # of SLO City
residents served, # of referrals provided to individuals seeking social services.
Methods of Evaluation Indicators of Success / Measurable Outcomes
Attendance and graduation numbers.33 teens will graduate from YEP in 2025.
2 teens will complete the YEP internship in 2025.
pre & post surveys and evaluations at least 85% of graduates are better equipped to make healthy
choices.
pre & post surveys and evaluations at least 85% of graduates are more prepared for employment
pounds of produce delivered to the SLO Food Bank 5,000 pounds delivered during the grant period.
1. Please provide an executive summary of proposed project/program *
In the Summer of 2025, City Farm SLO’s Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) will provide 1,500 individual instruction hours to 35 teens.
5,000 pounds of produce will be delivered to the SLO Food Bank as a result of programming, impacting thousands of residents.
YEP helps underserved teens build career and college readiness skills through technical agricultural instruction, bilingual workshops, and
summer internships. Workshops are led by instructors trained in youth empowerment strategies and cover these topics: mental health and
wellness, financial literacy, goal setting, resume building, leadership, public speaking, and DE&I in agriculture. Upon graduation, students
can apply for a paid summer internship at City Farm SLO. YEP was piloted in April 2021 and has graduated 9 cohorts and 95 students to
date. (By the end of the 2023-2024 Grant Cycle, YEP will have graduated 12 cohorts and 125 students.) As a result of YEP, 89% of students
report that they are better equipped to make healthy choices and 100% of students report that they are more prepared for employment
opportunities.
2. Total Project Cost?*
$41,250.00
3. Requested Project Amount *
$15,000.00
4. Please provide a detailed description of proposed project/program *
City Farm SLO is requesting $15,000 to satisfy matching fund requirements and complete the funding needed for YEP in 2024-2025. Other
program supporters include the County of San Luis Obispo, the SLO Community Foundation, the Jewish Community Foundation, and
individual donors.
Food insecurity affects 37% of San Luis Obispo County ’s low-income households. City Farm SLO property is surrounded by a disadvantaged
community (DAC) (2014 - 2018 census data). Low-income communities (AB1550, 2022 data) communities mapped according to
CalEnviroscreen 4.1 share the same tract numbers as the priority areas this project will provide benefits to. Disparities in food access are
exacerbated by income and race. In 2016, 3.8% of the overall population surveyed and 11.2% of Spanish-speaking individuals in SLO County
went without food (Action for Healthy Communities Telephone Survey, 2016). At the same time, SLO County is experiencing a shortage of
young people entering the agricultural workforce as laborers, managers, and entrepreneurs as documented by a 2014 Food System
Assessment.
YEP’s purpose is to address local disparities in access to opportunities by providing exceptional enrichment and leadership development
experiences for teens in marginalized communities. Each YEP cohort includes 8 sessions in a 2-week period. Sessions take place from 9 AM
– 1 PM and include daily career/college readiness workshops and activities, 90 minutes of paid regenerative agriculture instruction, field
trips to Cal Poly Agriculture Departments and the SLO Food Bank, and daily preparation of lunch using produce that students have grown
and harvested.
City Farm SLO partners with other local agencies (Peoples’ Self-Help Housing, San Luis Coastal Unified School District, SLOCOE Youth
Workforce Development, County of SLO Behavioral Health Department) to recruit teens that self-identify as racial or ethnic minority, English
language learner, receiving food stamps or cash assistance, Foster youth or have been in the foster program, does not have regular
housing, on probation or parole. City Farm SLO also partners with Transitions Mental Health Association to provide suicide prevention
training to City Farm SLO staff and mental health workshops to YEP participants.
By the end of the current 2023-2024 grant cycle, 12 cohorts and 125 students will have graduated from YEP, and 8 graduates will have
completed a paid summer internship. As a result of YEP:
• 100% of graduates reported that they know how to find help if they or someone they know is struggling with mental health (mental
health)
• 91% of graduates reported eating more fruits and vegetables (nutrition/food access)
• 100% of graduates reported that they are more prepared for employment opportunities (career readiness)
• 89% of graduates reported that they are better equipped to make healthy choices (health/nutrition)
• 100% of students reported becoming more physically active (health)
5. Describe the community/population the project/program will support.*
YEP primarily serves teens who self-identify as one or more of the following: ethnic or racial minority, English language learner, receiving
food stamps or cash assistance, on probation or parole, homeless or unstable housing, Foster youth, or youth with a disability. Most
students are Spanish-speaking, and sessions are conducted bilingually in English and Spanish.
Approximately 75% of YEP students reside in the City of SLO, and approximately 25% of students reside outside of the City of SLO, but
within SLO County. City Farm SLO offers transportation assistance to students who would be otherwise unable to access programming.
6. The HRC has identified homeless prevention including affordable and alternative housing, supportive services, and
transitional housing as the main funding priority. Does your grant request meet this funding priority?*
Yes
No
7. Which other priority of the non-ranked HRC funding priorities does your request support? Please check the appropriate
boxes:*
Hunger and malnutrition prevention
Supportive physical and mental health services for those in need
Services for seniors and/or people with disabilities in need
Supportive and developmental services for children and youth in need
Services encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusivity in marginalized communities
8. Provide timeline for project *
January – February 2025: Recruit and hire a YEP Facilitator (seasonal position).
March – April 2025: Recruit and hire 2 YEP Interns. Interns are graduates from previous cohorts.
April – May 2025: YEP participant recruitment. Partner with local agencies (Peoples’ Self-Help Housing, San Luis Coastal Unified School
District, SLOCOE Youth Workforce Development, County of SLO Behavioral Health Department, etc.) to conduct outreach to target
populations. Review participant applications and complete participant registrations.
May 2025: Finalize student registrations, transportation arrangements, and curriculum updates.
June – July 2025: Conduct YEP programming. 3 Cohorts will meet for 8 sessions each.
July 2025: Program review and assessment.
9. Identify any partnerships/collaborations that are supporting this project/program and their roles *
Outreach to target populations is conducted with support from Peoples’ Self-Help Housing, SLOCOE Youth Workforce Development, County
of SLO Behavioral Health Department, all SLO County School Districts.
Transitions Mental Health Association provides suicide prevention training to City Farm SLO staff and mental health workshops to YEP
participants.
SLO County Public Health Department Community Wellness Team provides a nutrition lesson and cooking activity to each YEP Cohort.
Cal Poly Agriculture Departments provides a half-day tour of the Cal Poly Strawberry Center, Entomology Lab, and related programs.
SLO Food Bank provides a service opportunity to YEP Students, helping them understand issues around food insecurity and access. YEP
students grow and deliver produce to the SLO Food Bank for distribution.
10. Describe your plan for sustainability beyond the City’s one-year award funding *
Each year since 2021, City Farm SLO has been successful in procuring all funds needed for the YEP program through a combination of
federal funds, local government and foundation grants, and private donors. This diversified funding approach creates financial resiliency in
our program.
We are currently exploring multi-year funding opportunities that will allow for further range planning for YEP. By design, this program is
adaptable to our funding situation.
Capacity for this program is enhanced through community partnerships and volunteer support. These allow us to keep costs low while
delivering exceptional programs.
11. Describe the plan for promoting this project, program, or service within the City of San Luis Obispo *
Our promotion plan has been tweaked and improved over the last 4 years to be effective in reaching our target audience, program
supporters, and the community at large. The promotion plan includes:
Participant recruitment:
• All SLO County high schools share application materials with students.
• Partner organizations (including but not limited to Peoples’ Self-Help Housing, SLOCOE Youth Workforce Development, and County of
SLO Behavioral Health Department) share application materials with their clients and networks.
• Application materials are available on our website (https://www.cityfarmslo.org/yep) and are promoted on our social media and email
newsletter (more than 2,500 subscribers).
• Each year, KSBY and KCBX have promoted the program (https://www.ksby.com/community/city-farm-slo-opens-applications-for-youth-
empowerment-program)
• Last year, 48 students applied for the 36 spaces available.
Program communications:
• City Farm SLO social media channels and email newsletter include program updates and highlights.
• All participant families/parents participate in a farm tour on the first day of programming and a graduation ceremony on the final day
of programming of each cohort.
Sponsor/funder recognition:
• Sponsors/funders are recognized on our website, digital communications, on printed program materials, and during each graduation
ceremony.
12. Est. Number of people served through this project/program *
35
13. Est. Number of SLO City Residents served through this project/program *
26
Attachments
Copy of Organization’s most recent complete fiscal year financial statement (for the previous year because it is the
middle of the current fiscal year) including a statement of financial position/balance sheet, statement of revenue &
expenses/income statement, profit & loss.
Financial Statement *
FY 2023 Financials .pdf 77.42KB
1-page Organization Chart *
2024 Org Chart City Farm SLO.pdf 49.35KB
Document Certifying Federal Tax-Exempt Status *
2007-07-31 irs exemption letter.pdf 668.85KB
1-page detailed budget for the program including how the total requested amount of grant would be spent.
Budget *
2024 YEP Budget.pdf 66.99KB
1-page DEI statement that includes:
Applicants’ understanding and application of DEI
Affirming language that creates access and a sense of belonging in our community apart from grant
Explain how this project will advance DEI in the City of SLO
DEI Statement *
DE&I Statement.pdf 73.43KB
2024 City Farm SLO Staff
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
Statement of Activity by Department
September 2022 - August 2023
Cash Basis Wednesday, February 14, 2024 11:34 AM GMT-08:00 1/2
ADMIN EDUCATION
PROGRAMS
FARM LANDLORD NOT
SPECIFIED
TOTAL
Revenue
**Grants and Donations $0.00
CFPC Creek Restoration -5,000.00 $ -5,000.00
Donations - FOTF 2,789.05 925.82 $3,714.87
Donations - Fundraising Events 2,687.09 5,037.41 $7,724.50
Donations - Individuals 40,132.67 30,100.79 996.62 15,570.08 0.00 $86,800.16
Grants - government 25,765.55 82,888.70 23,890.48 0.00 $132,544.73
Grants / Donation - Corporate &
Foundation
46,072.00 51,039.73 2,040.25 0.00 $99,151.98
Total **Grants and Donations 117,446.36 169,992.45 26,927.35 15,570.08 -5,000.00 $324,936.24
**Program Revenue $0.00
Farm Tours 150.00 $150.00
Field Trips 131.25 2,940.78 0.00 $3,072.03
School Programs 572.50 12,750.00 $13,322.50
Special Events & Space Rental 304.00 768.76 $1,072.76
Total **Program Revenue 1,007.75 16,459.54 150.00 0.00 $17,617.29
Interest Income 124.03 $124.03
Land Rent Income -2,751.00 26,723.57 0.00 $23,972.57
Produce Sales -702.25 17,611.32 0.00 $16,909.07
Revenue Other 0.00 $0.00
Sales of Product Revenue 235.64 1,000.00 $1,235.64
Total Revenue $115,360.53 $186,451.99 $45,688.67 $42,293.65 $ -5,000.00 $384,794.84
GROSS PROFIT $115,360.53 $186,451.99 $45,688.67 $42,293.65 $ -5,000.00 $384,794.84
Expenditures
**Administrative expenses 58.66 $58.66
Bank fees & service charges 60.88 $60.88
Memberships & subscriptions 645.92 $645.92
Merchant account fees 1,454.36 1.25 3.12 $1,458.73
Office supplies 1,116.04 1,861.61 28.83 $3,006.48
Printing & photocopying 373.55 765.31 $1,138.86
Shipping & postage 254.69 $254.69
Total **Administrative expenses 3,964.10 2,628.17 31.95 $6,624.22
**Allocations $0.00
Admin allocation -99,340.21 49,670.10 33,113.41 16,556.70 $0.00
Farm allocation 30,606.91 -30,606.91 $0.00
Total **Allocations -99,340.21 80,277.01 2,506.50 16,556.70 $0.00
**Payroll $0.00
Health Insurance 5,388.12 $5,388.12
Payroll taxes 6,350.53 4,612.52 5,993.41 $16,956.46
Salaries & wages 91,751.56 48,361.96 69,421.99 $209,535.51
Workers' compensation insurance 5,353.62 $5,353.62
Total **Payroll 108,843.83 52,974.48 75,415.40 $237,233.71
City Farm SLO
Statement of Activity by Department
September 2022 - August 2023
Cash Basis Wednesday, February 14, 2024 11:34 AM GMT-08:00 2/2
ADMIN EDUCATION
PROGRAMS
FARM LANDLORD NOT
SPECIFIED
TOTAL
**Professional fees $0.00
Accounting fees 750.00 $750.00
Fundraising fees 284.21 $284.21
Total **Professional fees 1,034.21 $1,034.21
**Travel $0.00
Mileage Reimbursement 551.12 13.52 22.78 $587.42
Personnel Travel Expenses 2.45 3.00 $5.45
Total **Travel 553.57 16.52 22.78 $592.87
**Utilities $0.00
Electric 2,306.27 $2,306.27
Internet 434.16 $434.16
Trash & Toilet 1,013.72 1,568.76 $2,582.48
Total **Utilities 1,447.88 3,875.03 $5,322.91
Contract Labor 26,295.00 9,313.00 800.15 155.00 $36,563.15
Equipment 4,692.52 2,257.20 726.86 $7,676.58
Liability Insurance 4,998.00 $4,998.00
Other Administration Expenses 3,134.58 2,698.42 22.50 $5,855.50
Repairs & maintenance 608.60 $608.60
Supplies 1,736.02 6,199.95 16,189.07 2,850.94 $26,975.98
Vehicle Operating Expense 230.30 1,940.46 $2,170.76
YEP Scholarships 10,730.00 $10,730.00
Total Expenditures $52,897.28 $171,470.53 $97,245.55 $24,773.13 $0.00 $346,386.49
NET OPERATING REVENUE $62,463.25 $14,981.46 $ -
51,556.88
$17,520.52 $ -5,000.00 $38,408.35
NET REVENUE $62,463.25 $14,981.46 $ -
51,556.88
$17,520.52 $ -5,000.00 $38,408.35
City Farm SLO
Statement of Financial Position
As of August 31, 2023
Cash Basis Tuesday, October 3, 2023 03:13 PM GMT-07:00 1/1
TOTAL
ASSETS
Current Assets
Bank Accounts
BOS 3225 76,533.68
BOS 3616 0.00
BOS 4698 128,197.84
PayPal 1,325.69
Pex 4,894.82
Venmo 1,306.75
YEP Stipends 10,730.00
Total Bank Accounts $222,988.78
Total Current Assets $222,988.78
Fixed Assets
Accumulated depreciation -45,442.00
Fencing 4,540.00
Infrastructure (whole farm)22,099.49
Other Fixed Assets 36,382.00
Structures 30,881.00
Vehicles 32,978.70
Total Fixed Assets $81,439.19
TOTAL ASSETS $304,427.97
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities
Current Liabilities
Other Current Liabilities
Security Deposits - Tenants 2,600.00
Total Other Current Liabilities $2,600.00
Total Current Liabilities $2,600.00
Total Liabilities $2,600.00
Equity
Opening balance equity 221,674.68
Retained Earnings 14.94
Net Revenue 80,138.35
Total Equity $301,827.97
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $304,427.97
2024-25 Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) Budget
Budget GIA
Other
Funding/
In Kind Total
Personnel
YEP Facilitator Leads recruitment & workshops $4,000.00 $4,000.00 $8,000.00
YEP Co-Facilitator Supports recruitment & leads communication $1,500.00 $3,000.00 $4,500.00
Farmer Leads farming instruction $3,600.00 $0.00 $3,600.00
Non-personnel $0.00
Student Stipends $200 per student $7,200.00 $7,200.00
Scholarship 6-week farming internship for 2 students $3,600.00 $3,600.00
Food & Beverage $10/student/session. Using City Farm produce $2,880.00 $0.00 $2,880.00
Tools & Materials hand tools, edu materials, seeds, soils, starts $1,320.00 $0.00 $1,320.00
Liability Insurance $1,700.00 $1,750.00 $3,450.00
Travel Assistance $3,200.00 $3,200.00
Web, Promotion, & Admin $3,500.00 $3,500.00
Total $15,000.00 $26,250.00 $41,250.00
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
Youth Empowerment Pro gram at City Farm SLO, 2025
City Farm SLO’s mission is to empower the next genera7on to live healthier, more prosperous lives
through sustainable agriculture and farm-based educa7on.
Our organiza7onal values are as follows: City Farm SLO is an inclusive space promo7ng equity and
fostering a strong sense of community. We value integrity, dedica7on to con7nuous improvement, and
the pursuit of excellence. We are fiercely commiGed to environmentalism, priori7zing resilience over
expedience. We believe in collabora7on towards a more sustainable future.
City Farm SLO is deeply commi4ed to fostering a culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within
our organizaDon and the communiDes we serve.
• We are an equal opportunity emp loyer, acDvely soliciDng candidates of all ethnic and racial
backgrounds. We embrace diversity and are committed to building a team that represents a
variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.
• Our policies prohibit discrimination in all programs and activities on the basis of race, color,
national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability, veteran status, political affiliation or belief,
sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status or any other basis prohibited by law.
• We provide ongoing training on DE&I topics for all staff members.
• We have recently completed a DE&I assessment, gathering feedback from employees and
stakeholders to identify areas of improvement and update our DE&I policies.
• We are continuously adapting our physical space to be more inclusive. (See
https://www.cityfarmslo.org/gfa)
In specific regards to our Youth Empowerment Program:
Our outreach and programming specifically target youth who idenDfy with one or more of the following:
racial or ethnic minority, English language learner, receiving food stamps or cash assistance, Foster youth
or have been in the foster program, does not have regular housing, on probaDon or parole.
Our Youth Empowerment Program curriculum has a foundaDon of evidence-based youth empowerment
strategies. One workshop is dedicated to discussion and exploraDon of DE&I topics in agriculture.
Our commitment to DE&I is reflected in every aspect of our projects, from the development of
educaDonal materials that celebrate cultural diversity to outreach efforts that acDvely engage
underrepresented communiDes. We are working towards building a network of empowered individuals
who, through their experiences with our programs, become advocates for equity and inclusion in their
broader communiDes.