12.5.2023
VERONDA-FALLETTI RANCH & DEMONSTRATION FARM
DRAFT 2023 WORKPLAN
WWW.FARMSTER.ORG
175 W SIERRA AVE.
COTATI CA 94931
12.5.2022 Veronda-Falletti Ranch & Demonstration Farm
Draft 2023 Workplan
1 VERONDA-FALLETTI RANCH & DEMONSTRATION FARM
DRAFT 2023 WORKPLAN
2023 DRAFT WORKPLAN
BUILD SOIL | GROW FOOD | RAISE ANIMALS |DEVELOP COMMUNITY In October of 2021, Farmster renewed a 5-year license with the City of Cotati to operate a Demonstration Farm at Veronda-Falletti Ranch located at 175 W Sierra Ave. As part of this agreement, licensees are required to “provide a workplan to the City which sets forth the plan for the management and operations of the Licensed Premises Property, which shall be incorporated into an overall plan for the management and operations of the Property in coordination with any Other Licensees on the Property.” Farmster proposed 2023 Farm Workplan includes 4 distinct activities, which include:
a. FARM MANAGEMENT: Farmster will coordinate the routine maintenance and daily care for the facilities, animals, & plants within Farmster’s designated license area, as well as around the large greenhouse and annual garden beds. Farmster can support partner/co-licensee (“Ammamma Tati”) in the “CaféZone '' and other areas as needed. Farmster will solicit charitable contributions towards the barn renovations and accessory structures such as a 13’x13’ pasture shelter, a 20’x40’ greenhouse, chicken coops, annual garden beds, compost and worm bins, and irrigation systems. In addition, Farmster will seek technical assistance for planning water catchment and renewable energy systems for future development. The annual cost of the Farm Manager is 34,000.00/year, who will oversee and direct all activities in the workplan, who will be supported by an administrative consultant in developing policies and organizational infrastructure, managing finances and compliance reporting activities, and to participate in development and community engagement activities. The total of $51,680 for Farm Management and Development Budget includes the total labor and resources of Farmster staff that will be allocated to the various activities on the Farm.
b. ANIMAL HUSBANDRY: Farmster will continue to tend a small herd of sheep, goats, and cows owned by the City of Cotati. These common farm animals are essential to effective rotational grazing, which contributes to the building of soil that’s able to retain higher levels of water, carbon, and nutrients if done properly. In addition, these common farm animals can convert leaves and grasses into quality wool, food, and a variety of other valuable products. Additionally, the integration of Farmster provided chickens, in order to align with the agricultural history of the site. The annual cost of care for these animals is not to exceed $12,000.00/year with about 416 staff labor hours.
c. HORTICULTURE: Farmster will expand horticultural activities on the property around the annual production beds, a greenhouse nursery with featured aquaponics demonstrations and a variety of composting systems. By focusing the 2023 year on developing these assets, Farmster can continue hosting a variety of ongoing public engagement activities including; senior gardening programs, community workshops, off-site farm to table fundraisers, internship opportunities, volunteer programs and more. The budget for 2023 is not to exceed 18,000.00/yr. including one-time materials purchases to construct the various demo-area and the 520 staff labor hours. As the property matures, the labor allocated to landscaping and maintenance will increase, but be offset by the drop in one-time expenses for materials.
d. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: As a Demonstration Farm, the Veronda-Falletti Ranch will provide free public tours and workshops of the farm's animals, produce, and facilities on a monthly basis at a minimum. Regular Farm Tours will be useful for advertising events and volunteer opportunities on the demonstration farm. Events
12.5.2022 Veronda-Falletti Ranch & Demonstration Farm
Draft 2023 Workplan
2 include seasonal community workshops centered around the garden beds, greenhouse nursery, and animal pasture. Farmster is currently engaged with Sonoma State Business Students and Sustainability Clubs to develop an internship program and regular volunteer opportunities on the property. Moreover, the nursery and garden beds will provide ample opportunities to create senior programming and volunteer events. Community Engagement activities will have no additional cost to the city.
ANNUAL DEMONSTRATION FARM BUDGET
$81,680 BILLED TO CITY = $51,680 STAFF/LABOR + $12,000 ANIMAL HUSBANDRY + $18,000 HORTICULTURE 2023 WORKPLAN ACTIVITIES & BUDGETS
DEMONSTRATION FARM MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT
Description Estimated Costs
Dustin
DeMatteo
Executive Director and Farm Manager.
● Community Engagement
● Organize community outreach, internship, & volunteer
efforts
● Develop communications materials and marketing efforts ● Coordinate routine maintenance and daily care activities ● Solicit donations and technical assistance to enhance the property
● Manage vendor, stakeholder, and partner relationships and contracts
Wages | $34.00/hour*
4 Admin hrs./week
16 Program hrs./week
~6hr./wk. husbandry
~6hr./wk. horticulture
~4.5hr./wk. engagement
Not to exceed $3000.00/month
Jeff Kelly
Operations and Finance Consultant
● Bookkeeping, Accounting, & Reporting
● Organizational Development
● Community Outreach Support
● General Administrative Support
Wages |$34.00/hour*
6 Admin hrs./week
4 Program hrs./week
Not to exceed
$1,475.00/month
FARM MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT BUDGET
Dustin Allocations
- $6,800.00 Admin
- $27,200.00 Programs
$34,000.00/yr.
Jeff Allocations
- $10,608.00 Admin
- $7,072.00 Programs
$18,000.00/yr.
Total | $51,680 per year
12.5.2022 Veronda-Falletti Ranch & Demonstration Farm
Draft 2023 Workplan
3 ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
Description Estimated Costs Billed To City
Large
Animals
2 Cows | 5 Sheep | 3 Goats
● Daily feeding morning and night
● Weekly rotational grazing & mucking
● Quarterly trimming & shearing
● Vaccinations & Wellness Checks as needed
Hay & Feed | $5,400.00/yr.
Seasonal Care | $1,000.00/yr.
Est. Labor | 6 hrs./week
Small
Animals
8+ Chickens
● Daily Checking of Feed, Water, & Eggs
● Bi-Monthly mobile coop cleaning/sanitation
● Vaccinations & Wellness Checks as needed
Chicken Feed |$1,440.00/yr.
Seasonal Care | $400.00/year
Est. Labor | 2hrs./week
Vet
Visits
● Quarterly Check-ins with Wellness Reports.
● Additional visits as-needed.
Wellness Checks | $500.00/visits
Not to exceed $3000.00/year
Equipment
● Electric Fence Wire for rotational grazing
● Pasture Shelter for improved shelter, feeding, &
care.
● Animal Trailer for moving large animals & equipment
● Flatbed Trailer for moving hay & equipment
● Cattle Squeeze to secure cow to perform routine
care
● Specialized Tools to shear, trim, and care for
animals
Electric & Panel Fencing | $3,000
Pasture Shelter | $2,500 | Donated
Animal Trailer | $ 5,000.00
Flatbed Trailer | $ 1,400.00 | Dustin’s
Cattle Squeeze | $ 800.00 | Dustin’s
Tools | Donated
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY BUDGET:
$6,940.00/yr. in Feed
$1,400.00/yr. in Seasonal Care
$3,000.00/yr. in Vet Visits
416 annual labor hours (included)
Total | $12,000.00/yr.
HORTICULTURE
Description Estimated Costs
25 Annual
Beds
Winter | Spring | Summer | Fall Materials | $2,500.00
Soil Amendments | $1,650.00
12.5.2022 Veronda-Falletti Ranch & Demonstration Farm
Draft 2023 Workplan
4 ● Raised beds standing ~4ft high for accessibility
● Weekly landscaping and irrigation
● Production from Spring through Fall
● Excess produce to be donated to local food banks
● Internships & Senior Activities Opportunities
Irrigation | $4,500.00
Est. Labor | 4 hrs./week
Nursery
Water Smart | Native | Ornamental
● Include trees, shrubs, and other perennials
● Will supply potted trees for use around the property
● Can generate sales revenue for the demonstration
farm
3 Tables | $200 each
Soil Amendments | $750.00
Irrigation | $1,250.00
Plant Trays/Pots | $100.00
Seeds | $500.00
Est. Labor | 2 hrs./week
Compost
Compost Piles | Worm Bins | Casting Tea
● Weekly collection from property and community
● Monthly maintenance and churning
● Seasonal application around the property
2 Compost Bins | $400 each
Est. Labor | 1 hr./week
Tools
Hand Tools
● 6 Digging Forks
● 6 Shovels - Spades
● 6 Shovels - Broadhead
● 2 Shovels - Trenching
● 10 Wheelbarrows
● 40 Pairs of Work Gloves
● 4 Pick Axes
● 2 McClouds
● 2 Pitchforks
● 4 Spray Paint Cans
● 10 Safety Goggles
● 1 Tool Shed
● 4 Protective Ear Muffs
Power Tools
● 1 Stihl Chainsaw
● 2 Stihl Brush Cutters
● 2 Stihl String Trimmers
● 1 Stihl Hedge Trimmer
Hand Tools | $2,482.00
Power Tools | $3,500.00
HORTICULTURE BUDGET
Annual Beds | $8,650.00/yr. Nursery |
$3,200.00/yr. Compost | $800.00/yr.
Tools | $5,982.00
12.5.2022 Veronda-Falletti Ranch & Demonstration Farm
Draft 2023 Workplan
5 Total | Not to exceed $18,000.00
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Description Estimated Costs
Farm Tours and Workshops
(10am-12pm)
Every First Saturday of the Month
● Once per month
● 30 min. tour || 60 min.
workshop
● Topics include:
o Bee Keeping
o Composting
o Ornamental
o Gardening
Labor | 4.5 hrs./event
- 1.0 for outreach
- 1.0 hr. for setup
- .5 hr. for tour
- 1.0 for workshop
- 1.0 hr. for wrap-up
Supplies | $25/tour
Student
Internship
● Spring & Fall Semester
● Crop Planning
● Event Coordination
● No Cost to City
Seasonal City-led
Workshops
● Quarterly, or as requested
● Seasonal
○ Winter 22’: Wreath
making
○ Spring 23’: Earth
Day
○ Summer 23’: TBD
○ Winter 23’: TBD
Not to exceed $3,000 per
month for Executive
Director/Farm Manager
Gardening
Programs
● Charles Street Village
● SSU
● Partner Organizations
Estimated Costs within
Horticulture Budget Est. Labor |
72hrs./yr.
Volunteer
Days
● Mulching
● Planting
● Weeding
Estimated Costs within
Horticulture Budget Est. Labor |
72hrs./yr.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
BUDGET
Monthly Event |$1,836/yr. | 54
hrs./yr.
Gardening | Included in
Horticulture
12.5.2022 Veronda-Falletti Ranch & Demonstration Farm
Draft 2023 Workplan
6 Volunteer Days | Included in
Horticulture
Total Community Engagement
Budget
2023 VERONDA-FALLETTI RANCH TOUR & VOLUNTEER PROGRAM SCHEDULE Veronda-Falletti Ranch Tour & Workshop Dates Dates Type Jan 1st Saturday (10am-12pm) January, 7th, 2023 Tour/Workshop Feb 1st Saturday (10am-12pm) February 4th, 2023 Tour/Workshop Mar 1st Saturday (10am-12pm) March 4th, 2023 Tour/Workshop Apr 1st Saturday (10am-12pm) April 1st, 2023 Tour/Workshop May 1st Saturday (10am-12pm) May 6th, 2023 Tour/Workshop Jun 1st Saturday (10am-12pm) June 3rd, 2023 Tour/Workshop Jul 1st Saturday (10am-12pm) July 1st, 2023 Tour/Workshop Aug 1st Saturday (10am-12pm) August 5th, 2023 Tour/Workshop Sept 1st Saturday (10am-12pm) September 2nd, 2023 Tour/Workshop Oct 1st Saturday (10am-12pm) October 7th, 2023 Tour/Workshop Nov 1st Saturday (10am-12pm) November 4th, 2023 Tour/Workshop Dec 1st Saturday (10am-12pm) December 2nd, 2023 Tour/Workshop
12.5.2022 Veronda-Falletti Ranch & Demonstration Farm
Draft 2023 Workplan
7 2023 FARMSTER PROGRAMS & KEY METRICS
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS –
To provide free and/or affordable programming to Cotati residents. ● FREE 45-min Public Farm Tours Once Per Month, Followed by 45-min Workshop Program ● City-fee based Workshops Once Per Month (Total Workshops: 12) ● KEY METRICS:
○ Number of Cotati Residents
Engaged (Returning Resident)
○ Number of Cotati Residents
Educated (New Resident)
○ Total Number of Participants by
Program (Tour, Workshop)
○ Total Number of Program Attendees
○ Total Number of Volunteers per
Event, and Total
○ Total Number of Volunteer Hours
○ Total Interns
○ Property Improvements
12.5.2022 Veronda-Falletti Ranch & Demonstration Farm
Draft 2023 Workplan
8