irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $771KTECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS - THROUGH DEDICATION, POLICY AND OUTREACH, NOFA NY PROMOTES LAND STEWARDSHIP, ORGANIC FOOD PRODUCTION AND LOCAL MARKETING. NOFA NY OFFERS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT COVER A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS FROM ORGANIC TRANSITIONING TO MARKETING TECHNIQUES. OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE CONFERENCES, ON-FARM FIELD DAYS, ONLINE RESOURCES AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. WE ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES AT THE STATE, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL LEVELS THAT PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE INTEGRITY OF ORGANICS, AS WELL AS SUPPORT ORGANIC FARMERS AND GARDENERS. NOFA NY PROMOTES OUR MISSION AND PROGRAMS THROUGH PUBLICATIONS, SOCIAL MEDIA, CONFERENCES AND TRADE SHOWS.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Land Transition Program
Supports farmers converting conventional land to organic, including guidance on buffer zones, input history, and compliance with the 3-year transition rule.
New York Organic Action Plan (NYOAP)
State-level initiative modeled on the National Organic Action Plan to expand organic farming, improve access to local organic food, and support farmer viability.
Organic Certification
Provides USDA-compliant organic certification for farms and handlers in New York and bordering states, including support for split operations and transition plans.
Policy Advocacy
Advances organic and sustainable agriculture through member-driven policy resolutions, advocacy at state and federal levels, and participation in coalitions.
Technical Assistance to Farmers
Offers educational programs including conferences, on-farm field days, online resources, and direct technical support on organic transitioning and marketing.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Agricultural Training and Education Programs 2 activities
- Delivers educational programming for organic farmersHosts conferences, field days, webinars, and virtual forums to share knowledge on organic and regenerative farming practices. The Annual Winter Conference and other events engage over 1,000 participants annually, including workshops, networking opportunities, and a weekly Tuesday forum for peer-to-peer support.
- Supports organic transition and technical assistanceProvides transition monitoring services, technical assistance via a farmer helpline staffed by experienced growers, and educational resources such as the "USDA Organic Certification Made Simple" video series and guidance on organic seed use and documentation requirements. Offers one-on-one mentorship to over 70 new and transitioning farmers annually.
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Agricultural Producer Education & Support Networks 1 activity
- Administers Grass Fed and specialty certificationsProvides additional certification programs including NOFA-NY and OPT Grass Fed Certification for ruminant livestock, which is required for commercial marketing of 100% grass-fed milk, and supports certified organic operations with Feed Ration Verification Forms and animal tracking systems during inspections.
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Agricultural Grantmaking and Funding Programs 1 activity
- Administers cost-share reimbursement programsManages the USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program, providing up to 75% reimbursement (capped at $750 per scope) for certification expenses and enabling beginning farmers to certify for under $200 annually.
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Policy Advocacy & Research 1 activity
- Advocates for organic policy at state and national levelsEngages in policy advocacy to protect organic integrity and support organic farmers through state-level efforts in Albany and national coordination via the National Organic Coalition. Develops annual policy resolutions through a formal membership-driven process and advocates for funding and program expansion.
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Local Food Systems Development 1 activity
- Facilitates access to local organic foodDistributes discounted Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares to over 60 families each year through partnerships with eight farms, improving food access while supporting small farm economic viability.
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Organization Website and Online Platform Management 1 activity
- Operates member services and communication platformsProvides members with classified ad access for land, equipment, and employment, updates on regulatory changes through publications and website notices, and maintains updated Organic System Plan materials to reflect new federal requirements.
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Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 1 activity
- Strengthens organizational governance and member engagementOperates under a volunteer Board of Directors elected by members and facilitates member input and lived experience sharing to shape organizational strategy, programming, and participation in the organic movement.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Develops organic action plans and policy frameworksCreated the New York Organic Action Plan in 2010 through volunteer-led efforts, modeled after the National Organic Action Plan, to guide long-term strategy for advancing organic agriculture in the state.
- Provides organic certification servicesOffers USDA-accredited organic certification to farms, processors, livestock operations, and handlers across New York and other Northeastern states, including expedited review options and compliance verification through on-site inspections and documentation. Certifies over 900 farming operations in New York State and maintains listings in the USDA Organic Integrity Database.
- Secures public funding for organic and food access programsSuccessfully advocated for state budget allocations including $54.3 million for the Nourish New York program in FY 2024–2025 and supported expansion of the Double Up Food Bucks program to over 230 sites, increasing SNAP-matched purchases for fresh produce. Also supported Fresh Connect Checks, generating over $538,000 in revenue for farmers’ market vendors in 2021.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.82M
Contributions & grants$851K30%
Program service revenue$1.94M69%
Investment income$16K1%
Other revenue$7K
expenses
Total expenses$3.74M
Program expenses83%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$2.05M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$784K
Cash$112K
Investments$0
Liabilities$883K
Net assets$-99K
Liquid reserves0.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +2.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 13
- BEN HOYER — TREASURER
- BHAVANI JAROFF — BOARD MEMBER
- CHARLES NICHOLAS — BOARD MEMBER
- DIANE FRANCES — SECRETARY
- JACK ALGIERE — VICE PRESIDENT
- JACOB GIGLER-CARO — BOARD MEMBER
- JESSIE SLAYTON — BOARD MEMBER
- NICK SIOUFAS — BOARD MEMBER
- REBECCA HELLER-STEINBERG — BOARD MEMBER
- ROBERT PERRY — BOARD MEMBER
- SEAN BARRETT — BOARD MEMBER
- WES GILLINGHAM — PRESIDENT
- ZAID KURDIEH — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 30
Who they work with
- Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Government — Requires compliance with both USDA organic regulations and TTB labeling standards for organic alcohol beverages such as craft beer and cider.
- Alliance for New York’s Farmland Network — NOFA-NY is a member of this coalition working to protect farmland in New York.
- Annual Sponsors Partner — Businesses that sponsor NOFA-NY events, participate in trade shows, or advertise in publications.
- Burpee Farmers Market Partner — Offers special benefits to NOFA-NY members through a business partnership.
- Country Folks Partner — Offers special benefits to NOFA-NY members through a business partnership.
- DMR Trenchers Partner — Offers special benefits to NOFA-NY members through a business partnership.
- Farm Service Agency Partner — Collaborates with FSA to enable organic producers to apply for reimbursement of certification costs.
- Farm Service Agency (FSA) Government — Local FSA offices process applications for the USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program on behalf of certified organic operations.
- Grower’s Discount Labels Partner — Offers special benefits to NOFA-NY members through a business partnership.
- Harris Seeds Organic Partner — Offers special benefits to NOFA-NY members through a business partnership.
- High Mowing Organic Seeds Partner — Offers special benefits to NOFA-NY members through a business partnership.
- NY Grown Food for NY Kids Network — NOFA-NY is a member of this initiative connecting New York-grown food with school and child nutrition programs.
- NY Pollina Network — NOFA-NY is a member of this organization focused on pollinator protection and ecological farming practices.
- NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Partner — Partners with NYSDAM to administer the Organic Cost Share Program at the state level.
- NYS Good Food Purchasing Program Coalition Network — NOFA-NY is a member of this coalition promoting equitable and sustainable food procurement in New York State.
- National Healthy Soils Policy Network Network — NOFA-NY is a member of this national network advancing healthy soils policy.
- National Organic Coalition Partner — Collaborates on national policy advocacy for organic food and farming systems.
- National Resources Conservation Service Partner — Works alongside NRCS to provide coordinated technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers focused on conservation and organic practices.
- Northeast Organic Farming Association Network — One of seven northeastern state organizations working under the NOFA umbrella.
- Organic Material Review Institute Partner — Collaborates with OMRI to support organic certification processes, particularly regarding approved input materials.
- Organic Plus Trust (OPT) Inc. Partner — Accredited partner for Grass-Fed Organic Livestock Program certification; NOFA-NY offers OPT certification alongside its own.
- USDA Government — Administers the Organic Certification Cost Share Program, which reimburses part of certification costs for NOFA-NY certified operations.
- USDA Government — Implements USDA National Organic Program standards and administers the USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program.
- USDA Government — NOFA-NY operates under USDA accreditation to certify organic farms and businesses in compliance with the National Organic Program.
- USDA National Organic Program Government — Administers federal organic standards that NOFA-NY follows in its certification process.
- USDA National Organic Program Government — Implements regulatory updates from the USDA National Organic Program's Strengthening Organic Enforcement Final Rule.
- USDA National Organic Program Government — Source of information on organic trade requirements and international trade partners
- Vermont Compost Company Partner — Offers special benefits to NOFA-NY members through a business partnership.
- Walden Mutual Bank Partner — Offers special benefits to NOFA-NY members through a business partnership.
- eight farms Partner — Collaborates with eight farms across New York to offer subsidized CSA shares through the Farm Share Program.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Equity-Centered Food System Changemethodology: equity_centered_systems_changeBy centering racial and social equity in organizational development, coalition-building, and ecosystem service programs, the organization creates more inclusive and just food systems because equitable participation leads to more sustainable and collectively owned outcomes.
- Farmer-Led Peer Education and Mentorshipmethodology: peer_powered_learningBy using farmer-to-farmer education and one-on-one mentorship, the organization increases adoption of organic practices because experiential learning through trusted peer relationships builds confidence, reduces isolation, and improves decision-making for new and transitioning farmers.
- Integrated Education-Certification-Advocacy Modelmethodology: integrated_education_certification_advocacyBy combining education, certification, and advocacy into a single framework, the organization advances organic farming and land stewardship because each component reinforces the others—education builds capacity, certification ensures integrity, and advocacy shapes supportive policies.