V E R O N D A - F A L L E T T I R A N C H
202 5 WO R K P L A N
FRE E & A F F O RD A B L E PR O G R A M S F O R
C H I LDRE N , Y O UT H & F A M I L I E S
Sandy Loam Sustainable Communities | sandyloam.org
Ammamma Tati | ammammatati.com
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Scope of Work
10 Calendar
Sandy Loam Sustainable Communities | sandyloam.org
1 2 Cost Plan
1 About Us
3 A B O U T U S
Provides high-quality early childhood education best exemplified by the Montessori Method, and sustainability-minded workshops, events & enrichment programs for individuals of all ages. We serve the beautiful communities located in Southern Sonoma County.
Sandy Loam Sustainable Communities | sandyloam.org
P R O V I D E R O F F R E E & A F F O R D A B L E P R O G R A M S operates
C A M P S & E N R I C H M E N T P R O G R A M S
W O R K S H O P S & S P E C I A L E V E N T S
Sandy Loam’s programs aim to foster real-life community relationships in an increasingly virtual world, and provide practical tools and experiences required to take the world’s future into our hands.
In 2025, programs will be expanded to include families, seniors, and disabled individuals.
Sandy Loam offers Montessori-inspired enrichment programs that allow preschool and elementary-aged children to be active participants in the care of Veronda-Falletti Ranch. Students have the opportunity to care for the Ranch’s animals and guide the development of food and garden plans. After-school programs and camps are hosted with appropriate health and safety measures in place, and are staffed with experienced instructors with background clearances and first aid training.
Located at
Veronda-Falletti Ranch
Cotati, CA
1 C O M M U N I T Y E D U C A T I O N
Sandy Loam connects and engages with community members through projects and activities that focus on environmental sustainability and Sonoma County’s diverse cultural heritage. The basis for this work is the Veronda-Falletti Ranch itself! Demonstration gardens and plantings are continuously worked on throughout the year.
A B O U T U S
Gabe has been dedicated to environmental education since graduating high school. He has worn many hats as an
educator, including coordinating with classrooms around Santa Rosa through the School Garden Network, teaching
wildlife conservation at the Oakland Zoo, and as a Summer Camp Director at various camps in California.
Most recently he has served as Garden Educator / Specialist with Napa County Office of Education’s COOL School
program in Santa Rosa, maintaining the school gardens at Meadowview & Bellevue Elementaries and providing lessons throughout the school day. He looks forward to bringing this wealth experience to the Cotati community!
Sandy Loam Sustainable Communities | sandyloam.org
T E A M
2 Francisca is an avid yoga and Reiki practitioner, California Naturalist, hiking guide, and herbalist who brings together outdoor education, mindful movement, and healing
practices. Her community-focused practice includes
partnerships with local nonprofits, yoga hikes, and
specialized programs in schools, summer camps, private
settings, and corporate environments.
She holds a Philosophy degree from Cal Poly, SLO, and
trained in Hatha yoga, with over 5,000 hours teaching diverse yoga styles including Restorative, Chair, Gentle, Prenatal, Vinyasa, and Kids/Family yoga.
Aishwarya realized early on that her career would be devoted to working with families and building sustainable
communities. After gaining experience in education,
healthcare and environmental sustainability, she saw endless and exciting possibilities in merging these interests. This is how Sandy Loam was born! She is proud to be a part of the Cotati community, a welcoming and diverse place that she loves calling home.
Aishwarya has a B.A. in Journalism & Mass
Communications from New York University and a J.D. from UC Law SF (formerly UC Hastings College of the Law), and is pursuing continuing education in environmental planning and spatial data science.
Francisca Lizotte
Enrichment Specialist
Gabe Smith
Environmental Educator
Program Coodinator
Aishwarya Kancharla
Director
Program Curator
S C O P E O F W O R K
Sandy Loam Sustainable Communities | sandyloam.org
3 2. Pollinator hedgerow within Sandy Loam-managed
areas of the Ranch: In 2025, a pollinator hedgerow of
low-profile native plants coupled with higher-profile
native trees will be installed, in effect preserving the line of sight into this historic property. Included in the project is an oak restoration on the corner of E. School St. and El Rancho St. The plant list was compiled by experts at the environmental consulting group Prunuske & Chatham to
emphasize species that are well-suited to lawn
conversions. In addition to providing habitat for
pollinators, this hedgerow will introduce the community to native California landscaping.
This project is being implemented under a partnership
with Point Blue Conservation Science’s STRAW
program, with grant funding from the California Wildlife Conservation Board (“WCB”) for the Building WildlifeFriendly Resilience and Equity in California’s Working Landscapes Project. School children from four local
classrooms will be guided through the restoration process by Point Blue’s team. Pending CEQA clearance and
completion of the Landowner Agreement between Point
Blue Conservation Science and the City of Cotati, the
hedgerow will be installed on February 20 and 25, 2025. buckeye
coast live oak
Valley oak
common manzanita
coyote brush
wild lilac, blueblossom
western redbud
hazelnut
coffeeberry
silk tassel
toyon
red flowering currant
California rose
blue elderberry
narrow leaf milkweed
California fescue
sticky monkey flower
bee plant
A. Property Management
Sandy Loam will continuously monitor and provide oversight of Veronda-Falletti Ranch to ensure safe public access and a comfortable experience for visitors, including ensuring timely janitorial services, routine upkeep of facilities, and seasonally-responsive landscape management of Ranch premises and garden on the corner of School St. and West Sierra Ave. Sandy Loam will manage vendors and contractors brought on board to support property management efforts.
In order to educate young people, their families and community members on agricultural & environmental topics and broader themes, farm and garden demonstration areas will continue to be designed, built and maintained. In 2025, we anticipate two major projects:
1. Native flowers & foods demonstration garden installation & management:
This garden, along W. Sierra Ave in front of the ranch house, will serve as the foundation for the youth curriculum, community workshops and perhaps even marketable food, medicinal and ornamental products that are native to Sonoma County and California. While non-native plants may find a home here, the emphasis will be on native plants.
S C O P E O F W O R K
Enrichment Programs for Youth
Farm and Chicken-Keeping Field Trip Program for Youth (ages 3-10) Farm Camps (6 summer sessions) (ages 4-12)
Early Release Enrichment Program (ages 5-10)
Farm Club (in partnership with Phoenix Farm Concepts) (ages 8-12) Sandy Loam Sustainable Communities | sandyloam.org
B. Program Management
Sandy Loam will continue to enhance public access to Veronda-Falletti Ranch through meaningful farm and nature-focused programs that are free or low-cost. A special emphasis will be placed on building relationships with organizations serving people with unique needs and disabilities, engaging with retired individuals through a volunteer program, and working towards long-term financial sustainability.
Sandy Loam will maintain oversight of farm & nature educational and enrichment programs and camps including mandated record-keeping, regulatory compliance, community relations, staff and contractor management, student/participant behavioral guidance and parent communication.
In 2025, Sandy Loam programs will implement the following programs:
4 Workshops & Events
Open Ranch Days (5 days)
Garden & Nature Workshops (5 total)
Workshop: Intro to Gardening Tools
Flower Harvesting & Bouquet-Making
Farm to Table
Bulbs!
Holiday Workshops:
Cookie Decorating & Cocoa
Teatime Crafting
Cotati Fall Festival
E N R I C H M E N T P R O G R A M S
P A I N T I T B R I G H T
F A R M & N A T U R E C A M P S
Sandy Loam will offer enrichment programs with appropriate health and safety measures in place, and will be staffed with experienced instructors with background clearances and first aid training.
Sandy Loam Sustainable Communities | sandyloam.org
6 one-week sessions serving TK-5 grades,
split into two cohorts. Each camp session will
run from Monday through Thursday, from
8:30am - 2:00pm.
A robust farm, art and nature-based program
will be planned and implemented. Movement
and yoga will be incorporated every day.
Farmer Tomi Henry will act as a guest
instructor for one morning per camp, and will
help establish an age-appropriate farm “chore
chart” for campers.
Sandy Loam will market Camp Cotati
programs in addition to its own camps through
a promotional partnership with
enrichment.kids
A culminating art show and party will be held
for campers and their families, as well as
Camp Cotati participants.
5 A farm, art and nature-based program
planned and implemented every
Wednesday that local schools are in
session, serving K-5 grades. Movement
and yoga will be incorporated every week.
Flexible sign-ups, children may attend as
many or little days as desired.
"Pay what you can" model, with a $25
minimum fee for a 5+ hour program.
Limited spots may also be available for a
shorter yoga & movement session at a rate
of $10.
Farmer Tomi Henry will be integrated
into the program, and will visit the
students every Wednesday for a 30-
minute session. Students will support
Farmer Tomi Henry in care of the
animals.
E A R L Y R E L E A S E
01 E N R I C H M E N T P R O G R A M 02
E N R I C H M E N T P R O G R A M S
F A R M A N D C H I C K E N - K E E P I N G F I E L D T R I P
P R O G R A M F O R Y O U T H
Continued collaboration with local preschool
groups which conduct walking field trips to the
Ranch at no cost: preschoolers and teachers have
regular monthly access to programs, resulting in
relatively stable groups of children receiving
increasingly complex and exciting opportunities to
participate.
Specialized farm and nature curriculum developed
& targeted to youth with disabilities or learning
differences.
Expansion of program to include other school
groups and non-profit organizations. A fee-based
field-trip program will be developed and marketed.
Follow-up curriculum is shared with teachers, and
the general community, so that the children’s
experiences at the Ranch are easily integrated into
the classroom and at home.
The Field Trip program has been expanded to include broader school-age groups, community school and non-profit groups. In 2025, we will begin publishing a social media newsletter that shares our curriculum with the broader community.
Sandy Loam Sustainable Communities | sandyloam.org
6 Y O U T H F A R M C L U B
03 04
This unique farm club will be held in partnership
with Farmer Tomi Henry to provide animal
husbandry and horticultural skills to youth ages 8 to
12 years old over four consecutive Saturdays in the
Spring.
Sandy Loam will develop the garden curriculum for
the program, as well as hold responsibility for the
student care/classroom management aspects of the
program, including behavioral guidance and parent
communication.
Newprogram!
W O R K S H O P S & E V E N T S
O P E N R A N C H D A Y S
Casual farm and art experiences for youth
will be provided during 5 special
afternoons. Families love dropping in to
explore the ranch and participate in
activities.
Sandy Loam Sustainable Communities | sandyloam.org
5 open ranch days
Staffing to be provided by Sandy Loam.
Included:
Ice cream, hot cocoa & other treats
Farm and nature based activities
Art stations
7 01
F A L L F E S T I V A L 02
The Fall Festival will return and will be
collaboratively operated by the City of Cotati,
Sandy Loam and Phoenix Farm Concepts.
Hours of Operation:
One Friday: 3:30pm - 6pm
One Saturday: 10am - 3pm
City of Cotati to set price of entry
Festival features to include:
Pumpkin patch & pumpkin painting
Crafts
Fall harvest giveaway
Culinary and beverage experiences for
adults
Hay bale pyramid
Corn sensory boxes
Pumpkin bowling
Chicken & animal petting
Photo area backdrop
Games: pumpkin toss
"How tall this fall" sign
Hot cider & donuts
Music
W O R K S H O P S & E V E N T S
W O R K S H O P S
Holiday Workshops will be held for up to 24 individuals per session, and will be structured as open air gatherings.
Sandy Loam Sustainable Communities | sandyloam.org
Sandy Loam worked with a Sonoma State University student group called Innovation Hub, whose members Sophie Buzzini, Magdali Gramajo, Marcus Grundman, and Siena Guerra conducted research and surveys to determine which program structures and topics most interest the community. Based on their input, our workshop schedules have been revised to make them more accessible to families, with most occurring in the late afternoon. And, workshop topics have been broadened to include areas that interest all ages and abilities. 8 03
The following workshops will be held for up to 14 participants and/or 6 families on the following topics. Participants will walk away with knowledge and goodies. The City of Cotati will establish fees.
Intro to Gardening Tools
Giveaway:
Tool & Plant Starts
Flower Harvesting &
Bouquet-Making
Giveaway:
Flowers
Farm to Table
Giveaway:
Treats
Bulbs!
Giveaway:
Bulb Planter &
Assorted Bulbs
Cookie Decorating & Cocoa
Pick up a cookie decorating
kit and have hot cocoa.
Teatime Crafting
Sip tea and make nature-based
crafts, ornaments or centerpieces.
Month Ranch Programs
January
Early Release Enrichment (W)
Field Trips (~10)
February
Early Release Enrichment (W)
Field Trips (~10)
Pollinator hedgerow tentative
installation period w/ STRAW
March
Early Release Enrichment (W)
Field Trips (~10)
Open Ranch Youth Day
Workshop: Intro to Gardening Tools
April
Early Release Enrichment (W)
Field Trips (~10)
Open Ranch Youth Day
Farm Club w/ Phoenix Farm Concepts
May
Early Release Enrichment (W)
Field Trips (~10)
Open Ranch Youth Day
Workshop: Flower Harvesting &
Bouquet-Making
June
Paint it Bright Farm Camps TK - 5th
grade (3 sessions)
Month Ranch Programs
July
Paint it Bright
Farm Camps TK - 5th grade
(3 sessions)
August
Workshop: Farm to Table
Open Ranch Youth Day
September
Early Release Enrichment (W)
Field Trips (~10)
Open Ranch Youth Day
October
Early Release Enrichment (W)
Field Trips (~10)
Fall Festival (incl. Fall workshops)
November
Early Release Enrichment (W)
Field Trips (~10)
Workshop: Bulbs!
December
Early Release Enrichment (W)
Field Trips (~10)
Holiday Workshops: Cookies
Decorating & Cocao; Tea Time
Crafting
P R O G R A M C A L A N D A R
Sandy Loam Sustainable Communities | sandyloam.org
free &
Affordable
Programs
5 Days p/ Week
Linking Community to
Farms & Nature
9 C O S T P L A N
2025 Cost Plan - Item Cost Total
General Management Costs - Fixed Fees
Administrator & Program Curator - Aishwarya Kancharla $18,000 Environmental Educator & Program Coordinator - Gabe Smith $60,840 Enrichment Specialist - Francisca Lizotte $7,500
Annual Administration & Marketing Fee (includes enrichment.kids marketing costs)
$1,945
Subtotal $88,285
Property Management Costs - Estimated Reimbursable Expenses Administrative Costs, Materials & Supplies $5,200
Seasonally-Responsive Landscape Management $10,800
Janitorial Services $5,200
Subtotal $21,200
Program Implementation Costs - Estimated Reimbursable Expenses Summer Camp & Assistant Teachers $11,760
Estimated Reimbursable Expenses $5,200
Subtotal $16,960
TOTAL $126,445
Estimated Labor Hours
Environmental Educator
& Coordinator
Enrichment
Specialist
Summer Camp
Teachers
Farm & Chickenkeeping Field Trips 160
Early Release Enrichment Program & Farm Camp 448 112 392 Summer Camps - 6 Sessions 400 84
Workshops 72
Fall Festival 40
Open Ranch Days 40
Property Management, Gardening & Harvesting 630
Community Outreach & General Admin 225
TOTAL 1855 196 392
Sandy Loam Sustainable Communities | sandyloam.org
10 Contact
Sandy Loam Sustainable Communities
175 West Sierra Ave.
Cotati, CA 94931
t. 707-664-5347
sandyloam.org
Sandy Loam Sustainable Communities | sandyloam.org