2023-11-06T11:53:21-06:00 2022-12-31 390974031 WEGNER CPAS LLP 2921 LANDMARK PLACE SUITE 300 MADISON WI 537133074 990 2022-01-01 391449246 MICHAEL FIELDS AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE INC MICH 2626423303 PO BOX 990 EAST TROY WI 531200990 PERRY BROWN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2626423303 2023-11-03 1 PERRY BROWN 999009999 1 BRUCE MAYER CPA P00187180 6082744020 2023-11-01 3 AAL1 IAL1 2022 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z PERRY BROWN PO BOX 990 EAST TROY WI 531200990 1822179 0 X WWW.MICHAELFIELDS.ORG X 1983 WI TO MAINTAIN AND OPERATE A SCHOOL BASED ON THE LATEST ORGANIC AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PRACTICES AND THE WRITINGS AND PHILOSOPHIES OF RUDOLF STEINER, INCLUDING AND MAINTAINING A FACULTY CONDUCTING ON-GOING AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION. 6 6 15 30 3247 2247 753276 1067292 192399 137991 83602 -493267 18676 10640 1047953 722656 0 349535 0 0 561380 670112 0 0 10791 732239 500658 1293619 1520305 -245666 -797649 3705477 3085215 118012 229847 3587465 2855368 X MICHAEL FIELDS AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE'S MISSION IS TO HELP RURAL AND URBAN FARMS AND AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES IN WISCONSIN AND BEYOND BE HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTALLY, ECONOMICALLY, AND SOCIALLY. 0 0 680815 300202 81701 THE INSTITUTE'S EDUCATION & OUTREACH PROGRAMS INCLUDE CONFERENCES, WEBINARS, WORKSHOPS, FIELD TOURS, AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS AND YOUTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUALLY. THE INSTITUTE'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDED VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS (FARMERS' LEGAL ISSUES, FARM MANAGEMENT, GRANT WRITING, SEED SWAP), WORKING AND COLLABORATING WITH OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND EDUCATING LOW-INCOME YOUTH IN THE MADISON AREA. ALL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES ARE CONSIDERED AS OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY, STUDENTS, GARDENERS, FARMERS, AND OTHER FOOD RELATED BUSINESSES. THE WISCONSIN WOMEN IN CONSERVATION (WIWIC) PROGRAM ALSO CONDUCTED SEVERAL VIRTUAL WEBINARS PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES TO WOMEN ON VARIOUS TOPICS OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND CONSERVATION. IN-PERSON LEARNING CIRCLE EVENTS AND FIELD DAYS WERE ALSO A PART OF THE EDUCATION STRATEGY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO WOMEN ON CONSERVATION, VARIOUS RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OR ADOPTION OF CONSERVATION PRACTICES AND PROVIDING TECHNICAL HELP FOR THE SAME. THIS PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY SERVES AN UNDERSERVED POPULATION - WOMEN. CONSERVATION EDUCATORS OF WISCONSIN WERE ALSO PROVIDED WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO NETWORK AND LEARN ABOUT RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM FOR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND OBTAINING GRANTS, THROUGH IN-PERSON EVENTS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE, AND THROUGH VIRTUAL MEETS. THROUGH THE WIWIC PROGRAM, MORE THAN 1200 WOMEN WERE SERVED IN 2022 IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF WISCONSIN. MIDWEST GRIT (GRAINS RESOURCE IMMERSIVE TRAINING), ANOTHER MFAI EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT IS GRANT-FUNDED BY USDA BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER DEVELOPMENT (BFRDP), ENROLLED 30 BEGINNING FARMERS IN A ONE-YEAR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM THAT'S MET AT LEAST TWICE MONTHLY OVER ZOOM AND INCLUDED IN-PERSON FIELD LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. THE PROGRAM INCLUDED CURRICULUM ON FOOD GRADE GRAIN AGRONOMY, EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, FARM FINANCE, AND OTHER TOPICS. THE PROGRAM CATALYZED ADOPTION OF SMALL GRAINS PRODUCTION AMONG 10 PRODUCERS IN THE PROGRAM IN ITS FIRST YEAR AND HAS CONTRIBUTED TO COMMUNITY BUILDING AROUND DEVELOPMENT OF A MIDWEST REGIONAL GARNISHED, ENHANCING LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION AND MARKETING. ADDITIONAL REGIONAL RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND PARTNERSHIPS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED THROUGH BFRDP PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING NON-PROFITS SUCH AS RENEWING THE COUNTRYSIDE, THE LAND CONNECTION, THE LAND STEWARDSHIP PROJECT, CENTER FOR RURAL AFFAIRS, MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL ADVANCEMENT, AGRARIA CENTER FOR REGENERATIVE PRACTICE, AND MORE, WHICH STRENGTHENS REGIONAL FARMER-NETWORKS AND ACCESS TO FARMERS SUPPORT. 223464 30808 26817 MFAI RESEARCH CONTINUES MEASURING IMPACT OF AG PRACTICES ON SOIL HEALTH & PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH COVER CROPS, NO-TILL ORGANIC FARMING AND CONSERVATION PRACTICES, ECONOMIC RESILIENCY & BIODYNAMIC PRACTICES. MFAI'S WORK WITH COVER CROPS EDUCATES THE IMPORTANCE & BENEFITS FOR PROTECTING & ENHANCING THE SOIL, REDUCING EROSION, INCREASING INFILTRATION & SLOWING SURFACE WATER MOVEMENT, INCREASING SOIL STRENGTH AND TO SEQUESTER ATMOSPHERIC CARBON TO COUNTER CLIMATE CHANGE. ALSO, NEW LINES OF COVER CROPS WERE TRIED FOR EVALUATING THEIR SUITABILITY AND VIABILITY IN WISCONSIN. MFAI PARTICIPATED AS A PARTNER WITH THE MIDWEST HEMP RESEARCH TEAM THAT WAS COLLABORATING WITH UW MADISON, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, PURDUE, AND UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, AND WAS SUCCESSFUL IN APPLYING AND RECEIVING A USDA NIFA GRANT FOR VARIETAL EVALUATION, AGRONOMIC PRACTICES AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES IN GRAIN AND FIBER HEMP. ALTERNATE CROPS THAT HAVE POTENTIAL FOR WISCONSIN WERE ALSO EVALUATED (MUNG BEANS, BUCK WHEAT, CHICKPEAS, AND MILLETS). MILLETS HAVE A GREATER SCOPE IN TERMS OF CLIMATE RESILIENCE. CORN RESEARCH CONTINUES TO ANALYZE & SELECT BREEDING FOR HIGH METHIONINE & GAMETOPHYTIC INCOMPATIBILITY WHICH PROTECTS ORGANIC HYBRIDS FROM GMO CONTAMINATION. 198188 16525 23784 MFAI'S PUBLIC POLICY ACTIVITIES INCLUDED EDUCATING FARMERS AND OTHERS ABOUT THE FARM BILL POLICY PROCESS, COORDINATING UPLANDS WATERSHED GROUP IN SW WI & HOLDING 2 VIRTUAL FIELD DAYS ON WEED MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND 3 IN-PERSON FIELD DAYS ON 1) SMALL RUMINANT PASTURING APPROACHES; 2) STREAMBANK PROTECTION AND RESTORATION; AND 3) SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES; CONDUCTED WORKSHOPS ON GRANT-WRITING AND USING FEDERAL & STATE PROGRAMS; DISTRIBUTED OUR GUIDE TO FEDERAL PROGRAMS SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE; CONDUCTED OUTREACH TO FARMERS ABOUT FSA PROGRAMMING; PROVIDED FREE GRANTS ADVISING TO MORE THAN 40 FARMERS AND OTHER POTENTIAL GRANT APPLICANTS; CONDUCTED FOCUS GROUPS ON 2 FARM BILL POLICY TOPICS - CONSTRAINTS TO ADOPTION OF SMALL GRAINS AND CONSTRAINTS TO ADOPTION OF PERENNIALLY AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS, AND SUCCESSFULLY SUBMITTED PAPER TO NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SOME OF THAT WORK; CONVENED A NATIONAL GROUP TO ASSESS SOCIETAL BENEFITS FROM SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES, RESULTING IN COMPLETION AND PRESENTATION OF TWO PAPERS AT NATIONAL SOIL HEALTH CONFERENCE; COMPLETED THE FINAL YEAR OF THE COVER CROPS RESEARCH & OUTREACH PROJECT AND HELPED GUIDE ITS TRANSITION TO A FIVE-YEAR SOIL HEALTH COLLABORATIVE; LAUNCHED THE MIDWEST FARMERS OF COLOR SOIL HEALTH NETWORK SUPPORTING 6 BIPOC-LED GROUPS THAT HELP BEGINNING BIPOC FARMERS USE SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES IN STARTING FARMING ENTERPRISES; CONTINUED OUR COVER CROPS CITIZEN SCIENCE RESEARCH COLLABORATION IN WISCONSIN; LED SUCCESSFUL WI LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGN TO PASS A BILL TO INCREASE COVER CROPS ADOPTION; LED SUCCESSFUL FUNDING OF FEDERAL GRAZING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, WORKED WITH USDA ON ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND ASSISTED A BIPOC GROUP IN APPLYING TO THAT PROGRAM; PARTICIPATED IN GRASSLAND PROJECT INCLUDING COORDINATING A "LEARNING HUB" WITHIN SW WI WITH WHICH WE CREATED PROGRAMMING TO ENLIST LENDERS IN GRAZING OUTREACH AND HELPED SUPPORT PROGRAMMING TO INCREASE MEAT PROCESSING IN SW WISCONSIN; ADVANCED FARM BILL PROVISIONS THAT SUPPORT MANAGED GRAZING, COVER CROPS, RACIAL EQUITY, AND IMPROVED CONSERVATION, COVER CROPS, AND CREDIT POLICIES; CO-CHAIRED CONSERVATION COMMITTEE AND ASSUMED LEADERSHIP POSITION ON GOVERNING BODY OF FEDERAL COALITION SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE POLICY; CHAIRED NC-SARE'S HERO AWARDS PROGRAM; COLLABORATED TO DEVELOP NEW STRUCTURES TO INCREASE PRIVATE & PUBLIC FUNDS SUPPORTING REGENERATIVE FARMING PRACTICES. 47409 2000 5689 THE INSTITUTE'S FARMING SYSTEMS ACTIVITIES INCLUDED VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS, COVER CROP & SMALL GRAINS FIELD DAYS. FARM AND RESEARCH FIELD DAYS TOOK PLACE AS PART OF THE INSTITUTE'S RESEARCH AND POLICY PROGRAM WORK. TECHNOLOGICAL TOOLS AND SOLUTIONS TO ENABLE PRODUCTION OF HEALTHY FOOD WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF CHEMICALS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, WHILE MAXIMIZING THE QUALITY OF FOOD PRODUCTS AND RURAL LIVELIHOODS IS KEY INFORMATION MFAI INCORPORATES IN DISCUSSIONS. INCLUDED IN THE RESEARCH PROGRAM IS WORK FOR THE CCROP PROJECT, WHERE WARM-SEASON ANNUAL COVER CROP SPECIES AND MIXES WERE FORMALLY TRIALED ON MFAI RESEARCH GROUND. FOUR COVER CROP SPECIES AND SEVERAL COMBINATIONS OF SPECIES WERE PLANTED AND EVALUATED FOR BIOMASS PRODUCTION, FORAGE QUALITY, AND SOIL HEALTH IMPACTS, AND COMPARED WITH A NO SUMMER COVER (SUMMER FALLOW), IN THREE REPS OVER 2 YEARS. THE COVER CROP YEAR WAS FOLLOWED BY WHEAT IN ROTATION TO ASSESS CARRYOVER ROTATION EFFECTS OF SUMMER COVER CROPPING. FIELD WORK AND DATA COLLECTION HAS BEEN COMPLETED, AND RESULTS WILL BE COMPILED INTO A GROWER OUTREACH DOCUMENT AND A PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLE. THE RESEARCH PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES A KERNZA-CAP FUNDED PROJECT EVALUATING DIFFERENT FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR KERNZA, A NEW PERENNIAL GRAIN CROP. THE KERNZA WORK ALSO INCLUDES A VARIETY TRIALS. KERNZA WAS ESTABLISHED IN FALL 2021, WITH 26 TREATMENTS TOTAL BEING EVALUATED IN 8 REPLICATES. THIS WORK IS PART OF A NATIONWIDE COLLABORATION WITH OVER 20 DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH 2026. 47409 2000 5689 1149876 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 24 0 15 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 6 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 WI X SHANNAH SCHMITT 2626423303 N8030 TOWNLINE RD EAST TROY WI 531201153 PERRY BROWN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 82398 0 4800 GREGG SANFORD PRESIDENT 2.00 X X 0 0 0 JAMES SYBURG VICE PRESIDENT/TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 ALYSSA HARTMAN SECRETARY 2.00 X X 0 0 0 JOHN HALL DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 JAMSHED PATEL DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 UNA VANDUVAL DIRECTOR (FROM APRIL 2022) 2.00 X 0 0 0 NICOLAS JOHNSON DIRECTOR (FROM JUNE 2022) 2.00 X 0 0 0 MIA LOMBARDI DIRECTOR (THRU APRIL 2022) 2.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN WEPKING DIRECTOR (THRU SEPT 2022) 2.00 X 0 0 0 HALEE WEPKING DIRECTOR (THRU SEPT 2022) 2.00 X 0 0 0 82398 0 4800 0 0 0 0 0 959611 107681 1067292 TUITION, SALES AND FEES 611519 137591 137591 400 400 137991 9951 9951 505 3527 0 280 505 3247 3752 3247 505 596025 1099243 -503218 -503218 -503218 6888 6888 6888 722656 137991 3247 -485874 303377 303377 46158 46158 87198 73550 12825 823 487029 410803 71631 4595 9431 7955 1387 89 40123 33843 5901 379 46331 39080 6814 437 454 454 103702 350 103352 552 552 139905 71252 65809 2844 9095 6686 1903 506 62884 55592 6805 487 20754 2505 18249 72740 37257 35483 24992 24124 742 126 3750 3750 25198 17271 7927 16406 7193 8708 505 SUBCONTRACTS 10915 9115 1800 BAD DEBT EXPENSE 9175 9175 136 15 121 1520305 1149876 359638 10791 81862 173016 664340 16506 276877 405205 51044 48901 12611 9440 1943138 417698 2618743 1525440 0 800376 0 10616 0 95715 3705477 3085215 117437 132832 0 4000 575 93015 118012 229847 X 3577279 2821563 10186 33805 3587465 2855368 3705477 3085215 -797649 -45303 110855 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 647402 200176 -36009 577 810992 355122 411549 731 120000 647402 565773 1214 211865 355122 18595 1162301 2877 618000 565773 83448 20000 147 85000 18595 0.99963 0.00037 0 0 1434677 1434677 325936 287404 38532 182525 130294 52231 1525440 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES 93015 93015 677081 -45303 -552 -45855 722936 -280 -280 722656 1520033 280 280 1519753 552 552 1520305 PART V, LINE 4: MICHAEL FIELDS AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE, INC.'S ENDOWMENT CONSISTS OF AN INDIVIDUAL FUND ESTABLISHED FOR OPERATING RESERVE PURPOSES. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEES REPORTED ON FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11F -552. PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: RENTAL EXPENSES REPORTED ON FORM 990, PART VIII, LINE 6B -280. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: RENTAL EXPENSES REPORTED ON FORM 990, PART VIII, LINE 6B 280. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 SCHEDULE E, PART I, LINE 3 THE INSTITUTE'S NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS IS PUBLISHED IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 4.03(1)(A) OF REVENUE PROCEDURE 75-50. SCHEDULE E, PART I, LINE 6 THE INSTITUTE RECEIVES GRANTS FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES PRIMARILY FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH. COPIES OF REPORTS PROVIDED TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ARE GENERALLY MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE GRANT AGREEMENTS AS WELL AS THE INSTITUTE'S RECORD RETENTION POLICY. 0 UW-STEVENS POINT 2100 MAIN ST STEVENS POINT WI 54481 6000 0 GENERAL SUPPORT WISCONSIN FARMER'S UNION 117 W SPRING ST CHIPPEWA FALLS WI 54729 50723 0 GENERAL SUPPORT UW MADISON ACCOUNTING SERVICES 21 N PARK ST MADISON WI 53715 8000 0 GENERAL SUPPORT BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM 432 N LAKE ST MADISON WI 53706 371625460 501(C)(1) 27316 0 GENERAL SUPPORT RENEWING THE COUNTRYSIDE 312 CENTER ST HAMMOND MN 55991 200189339 501(C)(3) 43927 0 GENERAL SUPPORT MARBLESEED PO BOX 339 SPRING VALLEY WI 54767 391824623 501(C)(3) 15905 0 GENERAL SUPPORT E RESOURCES GROUP LLC 2550 STAGECOACH RD WEBSTER CITY IA 50595 10375 0 GENERAL SUPPORT LATINO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER 804 MARGARET ST SAINT PAUL MN 55106 510467167 501(C)(3) 16000 0 GENERAL SUPPORT CONVERGENCE AGRICULTURE LLC 2625 OAK LAWN RD STOUGHTON WI 53589 22000 0 GENERAL SUPPORT ADVOCATES FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE PO BOX 168083 CHICAGO IL 60616 810980528 501(C)(3) 8500 0 GENERAL SUPPORT GLOBAL PHILANTHROPHY PARTNERSHIP 303 E WACKER DR STE 2108 CHICAGO IL 60601 562342600 501(C)(3) 35284 0 GENERAL SUPPORT GROUNDSWELL CONSERVANCY INC 211 S PATERSON ST STE 250 MADISON WI 53703 391452825 501(C)(3) 16000 0 GENERAL SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD FOOD SOLUTIONS 4508 THURSTON LN FITCHBURG WI 53711 820679249 501(C)(3) 18000 0 GENERAL SUPPORT 8 5 HONORARIUMS AND SPONSORSHIPS 87 46158 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 JOHN WEPKING AND HALEE WEPKING - FAMILY RELATIONSHIP. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE PREPARED FORM 990 IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY BEFORE THE RETURN IS FILED WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY ANNUALLY COMPLETE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT. THE GOVERNING BODY REVIEWS ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND ANY PERSON WITH A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS PROHIBITED FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE GOVERNING BODY'S DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS IN THE TRANSACTION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A A REVIEW OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION IS CONDUCTED BY INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY AND EXPERTS IN THE PERSONNEL FIELD. THE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS ARE APPROVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY AND THE DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS ABOUT THE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENT DOCUMENTED IN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE INSTITUTE MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON REQUEST. FIELDS BEST INC PO BOX 990 EAST TROY WI 53120 562548149 OPERATE RETAIL STORES IN MILWAUKEE AND EAST TROY, WISCONSIN WI MICHAEL FIELDS AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE INC C 142 1.00000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0