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| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A | WILLOWSFORD CONSERVANCY IS THE STEWARD OF OVER 2,300 ACRES OF OPEN SPACE, SET ASIDE FOR CONSERVATION, RECREATION, EDUCATION, AND AGRICULTURAL USE. FRESH FOOD PRODUCTION FROM SUSTAINABLE AND ORGANIC FARMING; RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES THOUGH ACCESS TO NATURE TRAILS, CAMPSITES, FORESTS AND WETLANDS THAT SUPPORT DIVERSE NATIVE WILDLIFE AND VEGETATION; AND THE CONSERVANCY'S LAND STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMS-INCLUDING HABITAT RESTORATION, WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT, AND INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL-CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY TO THE REGION'S QUALITY OF LIFE. ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE BROUGHT TO LIFE FOR RESIDENTS AND THE GREATER COMMUNITY THROUGH EVENTS AND EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS AS WELL AS FREQUENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. IN 2024, 288 VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTED THE LAND STEWARDSHIP TEAM'S EFFORTS TO REMOVE INVASIVE SPECIES, CLEAR TRAILS, AND MONITOR STREAMS, BLUE BIRDS AND OTHER WILDLIFE (784 HOURS). AN ADDITIONAL 106 VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTED THE FARM TEAM'S EFFORTS THROUGH EGG WASHING, CSA SHARE PACKING, AND CSA PICK UP AMONGST OTHER ACTIVITIES (1,565 HOURS). OUR BOARD AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTED MORE GENERAL PROGRAMS (OVER 500 HOURS). FARMING IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION FOR LONG-TERM PROTECTION AND VIABLE USE OF THE LAND, THE CONSERVANCY FOLLOWS ORGANIC FARMING PRACTICES THAT ENHANCE THE ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES OF THE LAND AND ARE INTEGRATED WITH THE RESIDENTIAL LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY, EDUCATION, AND CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROVIDES FRESH, NOURISHING FOOD FOR WILLOWSFORD RESIDENTS AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, AND SUPPORTS THE CONSERVANCY'S CONSERVATION EFFORTS. THE FARM ALSO PLAYS AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE GREATER COMMUNITY, SUPPORTING LOCAL AGRICULTURE AND ARTISANAL FOOD PRODUCTION, FOOD LITERACY, HEALTHY NUTRITION, AND A VIBRANT PLACE FOR BUILDING COMMUNITY. IN 2024, WILLOWSFORD FARM SOLD JUST OVER 400 UNIQUE SHARES IN ITS COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA) PROGRAM, INCLUDING VEGETABLES, EGGS, AND FLOWERS, IN ADDITION TO SUPPORTING FAMILIES THROUGH AN ONLINE FARM STORE PLATFORM. ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE CSA MEMBERS CONTINUE TO BE NON-RESIDENDS FROM OUTSIDE WILLOWSFORD. WHILE MANY CUSTOMERS PICK UP AT OUR TWO LOCATIONS, THE FARM ALSO USES A REFRIGERATED DELIVERY VAN TO BRING CSA SHARES AND ITEMS PURCHASED FROM THE ONLINE STORE DIRECTLY TO PEOPLES' DOORSTEPS. EACH YEAR, THE FARM SUPPORTS FOOD PANTRIES TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY. IN 2024, THE FARM DONATED EXCESS PRODUCE AND EGGS TO LOUDOUN HUNGER RELIEFT AND DULLES SOUTH FOOD PANTRY - TWO LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS - DURING THE PEAK GROWING SEASON. CUSTOMERS WHO WERE ON VACATION OR NOT ABLE TO PICK UP THEIR SHARE COULD CHOOSE TO DONATE THEIR SHARE. THE TOTAL AMOUNT DONATED IN 2024 TOTALED OVER 11,000 POUNDS. FARM VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND PROGRAM ACTIVITIES ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO ENGAGE HANDS-ON AND LEARN ABOUT SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PRODUCTION. THE FARM HOSTS VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES AS NOTED ABOVE, BUT ALSO HOLDS PROGRAMS SUCH AS THOSE FOCUSED ON NUTRITION AND CULINARY ARTS, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HOA'S CHEF, AND LEADS WAGON FARM TOURS. TWO SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS WERE HELD AT THE FARM. THE FARM STAND HOSTED A LARGE HARVEST- THEMED FESTIVAL AND MARKET IN OCTOBER 2024 WHICH HAS BECOME A POPULAR ANNUAL EVENT. A NEW EVENT IN 2024, WERE FOUR CARROT HARVESTING SESSIONS WHERE VOLUNTEERS WORKED WITH OUR FARM TEAM. LAND STEWARDSHIP THE LAND STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM COLLABORATES WITH OTHER NON-PROFITS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO CARRY OUT CONSERVATION PROJECTS TO BENEFIT THE LOCAL ECOSYSTEM AND ALSO TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND RESIDENTS ABOUT CONSERVATION EFFORTS. THE CONSERVANCY CONTINUES TO OFFER HANDS-ON, SITE-SPECIFIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, LAND CONSERVATION, AND RESPONSIBLE OUTDOOR RECREATION. THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES, THE CONSERVANCY AIMS TO FACILITATE INFORMED DECISION-MAKING AND INSPIRE PEOPLE TO BECOME LIFELONG ADVOCATES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, CONSERVATION AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES. WILLOWSFORD CONSERVANCY OFFERS OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES TO CULTIVATE CITIZEN STEWARDSHIP, ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND A DEEP EMOTIONAL CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD. PROVIDING RESIDENTS WITH RESOURCES TO CREATE AND MANAGE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY HOME LANDSCAPES CONTRIBUTES POSITIVELY TO OVERALL HABITAT HEALTH AND CONNECTIVITY NOT ONLY AT WILLOWSFORD, BUT IN THE REGION. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING BANSHEE REEKS NATURE PRESERVE, LOUDOUN WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY (LWC), BLUE RIDGE WILDLIFE CENTER, PIEDMONT ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL AND OTHERS, THE CONSERVANCY RECEIVES INSIGHTS AND BUILDS EXPERTISE ON HOW IT CAN BEST PROMOTE NATIVE HABITAT AND WILDLIFE IN THE COMMUNITY. AN IMPORTANT AREA OF LAND STEWARDSHIP IS REFORESTATION AND HABITAT IMPROVEMENT TO ASSURE HEALTHY FOREST CONTINUE TO FLOURISH AT WILLOWSFORD. THE CONSERVANCY ALSO IS WORKING TO RESTORE GRASSLANDS AND WETLANDS. WITH LWC, THE EASTERN BLUEBIRD NEST BOX MONITORING PROGRAM CONTINUED IN 2024 WITH OUR TWO EXISTING NESTING BOX TRAILS IN THE GRANGE AND GROVE VILLAGES AND NEW TRAILS ADDED SO THAT NOW THE GREENS AND GRANT ALSO INCLUDE A TRAIL. THIS PROGRAM IS A GREAT WAY FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT LOCAL CAVITY NESTERS, AND TO SUPPORT NATIVE SONGBIRDS WITH HABITAT AND NESTING SITES. RESIDENTS VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME MONITORING AND MAINTAINING THE NESTING BOXES AND TRAIL LOOPS. 65 BLUEBIRDS FLEDGED IN 2024. PROGRAMS & EVENTS IN 2024, THE CONSERVANCY OFFERED OVER 40 PROGRAMS SERVING MORE THAN 1,387 INDIVIDUALS. THE EVENTS BROUGHT COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO THE FARM, OUT IN NATURE WITH OUR LAND STEWARDSHIP TEAM, AND WITH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. KEY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS LED BY THE LAND TEAM OFTEN WITH PARTNER NATURALISTS OR PARTNERS INCLUDED A BUTTERFLY WALK, AMPHIBIAN WALK, AN EARTH DAY EVENT, AND FISHING CLASSES. WHILE THE FARM-RELATED PROGRAMS INCLUDED FARM TOURS, AND VISITS FROM THE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE HOA CULINARY PROGRAM. ACTIVITIES AT THE FARM STAND INCLUDED AN OPENING DAY KICK OFF, A BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT, HARVEST MARKET, AND MONTHLY WAGON RIDE FARM TOURS. IN ADDITION, MULTIPLE VOLUNTEER EVENTS WERE HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER WITH WILLOWSFORD FARM AND THE LAND STEWARDSHIP TEAM. A NOTABLE VOLUNTEER EVENT WAS THE LET'S TALK TRASH EVENT WHERE COMMUNITY MEMBERS PICKED UP TRASH THROUGHOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE 2023-24 SEASON OF THE CONSERVANCY DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SUCCESSFULLY ENDED ON JANUARY 6, 2024. COMPLETING ITS 8TH YEAR, THE PROGRAM HAS AN EXCELLENT SAFETY AND HARVEST RECORD. A TOTAL OF 135 DEER WERE HARVESTED THIS SEASON (COMPARED TO 125 LAST YEAR), WITH 123 BEING ANTLERLESS AND 12 ANTLERED DEER. 43% OF DEER HARVESTED IN THE 2023-24 SEASON WERE BY ARCHERY COMPARED TO 47% LAST YEAR. OUTDOOR RECREATION OUTDOOR RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS ENRICH WILLOWSFORD'S SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. THE CONSERVANCY CONTINUES TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE TRAIL SYSTEM, WHICH INCLUDES 40 MILES OF NATURALIZED TRAILS FOR RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL USE. THE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED SIGNAGE, MAPS AND SMART PHONE APP FOR ORIENTATION AND INFORMATION, GUIDED TRAIL WALKS, AND AMENITIES THAT FACILITATE THE USE OF THE TRAILS. CONSERVANCY AMENITIES, INCLUDING THE HIDDEN MEADOW EVENT FIELD & GROUP CAMPSITE, CEDAR POND PAVILION, A RECREATIONAL ARCHERY RANGE, AND THE GRANT CAMPSITE. THEY ALL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES AND VENUES FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION, ENCOURAGING FAMILIES TO CAMP, HIKE, BIKE, OBSERVE WILDLIFE, AND EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS. THE CONSERVANCY PARTNERS WITH LOCAL CHAPTERS OF BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA AND GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA TO PROMOTE OUTDOOR ETHICS AND CONSERVATION. ONE OF THE MAIN TENETS IN SCOUTING IS TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY IN THE FORM OF SERVICE. THE CONSERVANCY TEAMS UP WITH THE SCOUTS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO PERFORM TRAIL MAINTENANCE, WILDLIFE HABITAT RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS. OPERATIONS STAFF COMPLETED DETAILED FACILITY PLANS TO GUIDE HOW TO BEST IMPLEMENT THE ORGANIZATION'S STRATEGIC PLAN OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. THIS INCLUDES HOW TO CONSIDER FUTURE INFRASTRUCTURE AND EQUIPMENT INVESTMENT THAT WILL INCREASE EFFICIENCY, SAFETY, AND IMPACT FOR BOTH THE FARM AND LAND STEWARDSHIP TEAMS. A NEW FARMER STARTED IN THE SPRING, A BUSINESS MANAGER STARTED IN NOVEMBER, AND THE LAND STEWARDSHIP MANAGER LEFT THE ORGANIZATION IN DECEMBER. ONE NEW BOARD MEMBER JOINED THE BOARD MID YEAR AND ONE MEMBER LEFT IN DECEMBER. THE BOARD SPENT CONSIDERABLE TIME EVALUATING HOW TO BEST RAISE REVENUE FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B | THE ORGANIZATION ENGAGES A PAID PREPARER EXPERIENCED IN THE PREPARATION OF THE FORM 990 TO PREPARE THE FORM. THE ORGANIZATION'S TREASURER REVIEWS THE RETURN AS PREPARED BY THE PREPARER. A COPY OF THE RETURN IS THEN PROVIDED TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRIOR TO FILING. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 18 | THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. |
| FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 | RENTAL EXPENSES NETTED AGAINST RENTAL INCOME 49,287 COST OF GOODS SOLD NETTED AGAINST SALES INCOME 134,001 COST OF GOODS SOLD NETTED AGAINST SALES INCOME -134,001 RENTAL EXPENSES NETTED AGAINST RENTAL INCOME -49,287 |
| FORM 990, PAGE 12, PART XII, LINE 2C | 2020 WAS THE FIRST YEAR THAT AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT WAS COMPLETED. A FINANCE COMMITTEE WAS SET UP. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IS CHARGED WITH SUPERVISING AND REVIEWING THE AUDIT. |
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