12.15.2024
VERONDA-FALLETTI RANCH & DEMONSTRATION FARM
DRAFT 2024 WORKPLAN
WWW.FARMSTER.ORG
175 W SIERRA AVE.
COTATI CA 94931
12.15.2023 Veronda-Falletti Ranch & Demonstration Farm
Draft 2024 Workplan
1 VERONDA-FALLETTI RANCH & DEMONSTRATION FARM
DRAFT 2024 WORKPLAN
2024 DRAFT WORKPLAN
BUILD SOIL | GROW FOOD | RAISE ANIMALS |DEVELOP COMMUNITY As Farmster enters the fourth year of its five-year commitment with the City of Cotati, our 2024 workplan at Veronda-Falletti Ranch reflects a deepened dedication to sustainable agriculture and community involvement.
Embracing our core principles - building soil, growing food, raising animals, and developing community - this plan outlines detailed strategies for farm management, animal husbandry, horticulture, and community engagement. Each aspect of the workplan is crafted with the goal of enhancing agricultural productivity, fostering environmental stewardship, and enriching community connections.
FARM MANAGEMENT
Dustin DeMatteo, Executive Director/Farm Manager, spearheads all farm management tasks. ● Community Outreach: Engages local communities, raises awareness about the farm's activities and sustainable practices.
● Volunteer Program Management: Organizes and supervises volunteer activities, enhancing community participation in farm operations.
● Marketing Development: Crafts and disseminates promotional materials to boost farm visibility and attract visitors and supporters.
● Maintenance Coordination: Oversees the upkeep of farm facilities, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.
● Fundraising: Actively seeks donations and support for various farm projects and initiatives. ● Vendor and Partner Relations: Manages relationships with suppliers and collaborates with partners for mutual benefit.
● Budget: With an annual budget of $34,000, Dustin's role includes administration, program management, overseeing animal husbandry, managing horticultural tasks, and engaging in community activities. This budget covers labor, resources, and operational costs associated with these responsibilities.
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY:
● Livestock Composition: Farmster tends to 2 cows, 5 sheep, 3 goats, and purchases the feed for a small flock of chickens that Sandy Loam manages, each requiring specific nutritional and environmental care.
● Feeding Strategy: Customized feeding plans are implemented for different livestock, ensuring balanced nutrition that meets their individual health needs. ● Rotational Grazing Practices: Implemented to optimize pasture usage, improving soil health and providing better grazing options for the animals.
● Healthcare Routine: Regular veterinary check-ups, immediate attention to health issues, and preventive healthcare measures are standard practices.
● Hoof and Wool Maintenance: Special attention to hoof care, including trimming for goats and sheep, and annual shearing for sheep to maintain their health and hygiene.
12.15.2023 Veronda-Falletti Ranch & Demonstration Farm
Draft 2024 Workplan
2 ● Budget and Staff Time: 416 hours of staff time and $15,000 covers the comprehensive costs of feed, veterinary care, equipment maintenance, and other necessities related to animal husbandry.
HORTICULTURE:
● Production Beds: Enhancing annual production beds for diverse crop cultivation, requiring regular maintenance and soil management.
● Edible Landscape: Specialized care for a variety of fruit trees and shrubs, ensuring healthy growth and fruit production.
● Composting: Implementing multiple composting techniques like traditional heaps and worm bins to enrich soil.
● Greenhouse and Aquaponics: Operating a year-round greenhouse with an aquaponics system. ● Farm Stand: Managing a 400 square foot stand for produce display and sales. ● Budget and Staff Time: $12,000 covering material costs, installation, maintenance, and estimated 520 staff hours for all horticulture activities
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
● Farm Tours: Held first Saturday each month, 4.5 hours/event, showcasing farm operations and sustainable practices that coincide with routine activities. ● Volunteer Days: Occur first Sunday monthly, 4.5 hours/event, involving community in hands-on farming that coincide with routine activities.
● Monthly Workshops: Themed around gardening, livestock care, and sustainable living. Each workshop requires planning and execution, with staff time allocated based on content complexity, typically 5-6 hours/event including preparation and follow-up. ● Internship Programs: Offer practical learning in sustainable agriculture, with variable staff time depending on program structure.
● Compost Hub Pick-up Events: Self-serve compost pick up days, aligning with the first weekend of every month from 10am-2pm, as well as, weekly appointment scheduling opportunities online. ● Farm Trails Participation: Involves planning and community engagement, requiring ongoing staff effort.
● Budget: $1,836, comprehensively allocated to support these diverse educational and community-focused events, with careful consideration to staff time and resources.
ANNUAL DEMONSTRATION FARM BUDGET
The 2024 budget for Farmster's operations at Veronda-Falletti Ranch, as outlined in the chart, totals $73,000. This is carefully allocated across various key areas: farm management, animal husbandry, horticulture, and administrative expenses, ensuring a well-balanced and effective approach to our sustainable agriculture and community engagement objectives.
CategoryAllocation
Farm Management$34,000
Animal Husbandry$15,000
Horticulture$12,000
Administrative Costs$12,000
Total Budget$73,000
12.15.2023 Veronda-Falletti Ranch & Demonstration Farm
Draft 2024 Workplan
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2.15.2023
Veronda-Falletti Ranch&DemonstrationFarm
Draft2024Workplan
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