Organic Growers School Inc

EIN: 753166329 501(c)(3) Education

Asheville, NC

Total Revenue
$550,881
Total Expenses
$742,430
Total Assets
$135,371
Net Assets
$104,750
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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
2006
Legal Domicile
NC
Principal Officer
Michael Higgins
Phone
8286894353
Tax Period
2023-10-01 to 2024-09-30

Organic Growers School Inc, founded in 2006, is a small nonprofit in the Education sector that reported $551K in total revenue in fiscal year 2023. Revenue fell 53% from the prior year — a significant decline worth monitoring. Expenses of $742K exceeded revenue, resulting in a 35% operating deficit.

Mission

Organic Growers School inspires, educates, and supports people to farm, garden, and live organically.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $586,835 Revenue: $114,080

OGS hosted the 31st Spring Conference, which is one of the largest grassroots gatherings of this kind in the Southeastern US, attracting over 1,000 attendees. The conference inspires and educates...

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OGS hosted the 31st Spring Conference, which is one of the largest grassroots gatherings of this kind in the Southeastern US, attracting over 1,000 attendees. The conference inspires and educates people to farm, garden, and live organically by providing affordable, practical, and hands-on education. Farm Dreams is for those in the exploratory stages of starting their own farm. This entry-level workshop provides practical, common-sense information on sustainable farming and how to move forward.

Program 2

Farm Beginnings is training for the generation of farmers in the many skills required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and...

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Farm Beginnings is training for the generation of farmers in the many skills required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more. Farm Beginnings will help build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) is a farmer-led effort to bring established armers, farm apprentices, and aspiring farmers together for year-long training in the art and science of sustainable agriculture. Journeyperson Program is designed for farmers who have been independently farming for three or more years and are serious about operating farm businesses in the Southern Appalachian region.

Program 3

Organic Growing and Living: Programs such as Homegrown Dreams and Gardening Series help people gain knowledge on sustainable living and growing through various workshops designed to meet their needs...

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Organic Growing and Living: Programs such as Homegrown Dreams and Gardening Series help people gain knowledge on sustainable living and growing through various workshops designed to meet their needs. Fiscal Sponsorship: OGS is a fiscal sponsor of the Food Justice Planning Initiative (FJPI). FJPI is transitioning to a stand-alone nonprofit call WNC Food Systems. They are awaiting IRS approval of 501(c)3 status. OGS also fiscally sponsors La Escuela Campesina Project, which is a collaboration with Cooperative Tierra Fertil and Cooperate WNC. These organizations are primarily funded through grants. The grant income and related program expenses are included in the OGS financial results for tax purposes.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2023)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $436,173
Program Service Revenue $114,080
Investment Income $-376
Other Revenue $1,004
TOTAL REVENUE $550,881

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $21,014
Salaries & Benefits $389,953
Fundraising Expenses $49,277
Program Expenses $586,835
Other Expenses $331,463
TOTAL EXPENSES $742,430

Year-over-Year Comparison

2023 2022 Change
Revenue $550,881 $1,169,519 -0.5%
Expenses $742,430 $1,090,937 -0.3%
Net Income $-191,549 $78,582 -3.4%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
12
Independent Members
12
Employees
13
Volunteers
100

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
6
$96,237
Total Directors
12
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Cameron Farlow Executive Director 40.00
Officer
$60,840 $1,780 $62,620
Michael Higgins Director of Finance 20.00
Officer
$33,617 $0 $33,617
Bob Turner Co-Chair 2.50
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Mary Saunders Bulan Co-Chair 2.50
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Hannah Bundy Secretary 2.50
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Kady Brotherton Treasurer 2.50
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Tim Burke Board Member 2.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Macon York Costlow Board Member 2.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Mandy Helwig Board Member 2.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Thomas Leonard Board Member 2.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Rachel Letcher Board Member 2.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Maddie Mirassou Board Member 2.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Ta'rin'ii Shanai Board Member 2.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Felicianna Marquez Board Member 2.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 No data No data No data No data
2024 $550,881 $742,430 $135,371 $-191,549
2023 $1,169,519 $1,090,937 $453,291 $78,582
2022 $994,444 $897,329 $281,092 $97,115
2021 $442,497 $391,404 $238,120 $51,093
2020 $490,386 $519,596 $172,228 $-29,210
2019 $427,718 $407,285 $132,823 $20,433
2018 $397,095 $404,485 $146,300 $-7,390
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