Newhall Fields Community Farm Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O
- Income
- $165,009
- Spending
- $128,627
- Reserves
- 9.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 87%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.7 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 31% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $15,000 spent. CITY OF PEABODY
- $15,000 spent. J.B.THOMAS LAHEY FOUNDATION
- $14,950 spent. ESSEX COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
- This is the synopsis for the 2024 season at Newhall Fields Community Farm. Over the past five years, this nonprofit farm has demonstrated significant progress and development. As part of our ongoing mission, we aim to share our achievements from the past season and continue building on this momentum in the upcoming year. Our goals for 2024 included expanding production capacity and increasing community engagement with our programs, ultimately paving the way for further growth in 2025. MISSION: Newhall Fields Community Farm strengthens the community by creating access to healthy food through sustainable agriculture, volunteer-powered farming, and outdoor education. A Year of Growth: In 2024 we expanded food production, diversified donation outlets, and increased fresh and dried herb harvest to reach more food-insecure families with nutritious local food. In addition, we activated a heated greenhouse and unheated hoop house to bolster production and educational and programming opportunities. The farm increased its cultivated bed feet of vegetables by 71%, bringing the total to 5,485 bed feet. This expansion led to a 68% increase in food production, resulting in a total of 11,845 pounds of fresh produce. We grew 50 vegetable varieties and over 100 perennial herbs. We made weekly deliveries to three hunger relief partners. 68% of our total produce, or 8,045 pounds went directly to these food pantries - nearly twice as many pounds as the 2023 donations. We expanded our farm share program to serve 33 local families, who received a total of 2,180 pounds of food throughout the season. Additionally, we continued participating in the SNAP CSA pilot program run by the MA Department of Transitional Assistance. We estimate that 80% of our produce reached low- and moderate-income families in the North Shore area. During 2024, Newhall Fields donated produce from its crops that totaled $15,855.23 in value. Actual expenses, as shown on Line 17 of Part I of Form 990, are understated as the value of these donations, $15,855.23, is shown net against agriculture supplies in Part I, Line 16. Absent the value of donated food, Agriculture Supplies expenses in Part I, Line 16 would be $6,683.31 and total expenses in Line 17 would be $128,627. This Season in the Herb Garden: In addition to increasing the supply of fresh herb bunches to our farm-share customers and hunger relief partners, the farm successfully piloted its first season of herb drying and processing. Enabled by the new herb garden hoop house, our volunteers and staff harvested and dried 175 pounds of culinary and medicinal herbs, totaling 35 pounds of dried herbs and roots. These dried herbs were included in our farm shares, donated to community fridges, and sold as a fundraiser to help boost farm revenue. Additionally, Newhall Fields joined the United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary Network and became a partner in its educational initiatives. Community Engagement Highlights: High School Saturdays: We provided 18 two-hour community service sessions for local high school students during the shoulder seasons. A total of 30 unique students earned 140 community service hours at the farm. Volunteer Hours Donated: Over 240 volunteers contributed more than 2,500 hours to this community farming project. Northeast Arc Program: The farm hosted two groups from NEArc each week, led by our Program Coordinator. Participants engaged in long-term projects, gaining essential farming skills while learning about regenerative agriculture, conservation, and healthy eating. They experienced the therapeutic nature of the herb garden and felt a sense of accomplishment from their contributions to the farm. Youth Crew: In partnership with the MassHire YouthWorks Program, the farm employed a cohort of 10 local high school students over eight weeks during the summer. This season, under the guidance of our Youth Crew Leader, the group was primarily made up of returning students, including three sets of siblings. USDA Peoples Garden: The farm was approved to join this network that connects gardens across the country that produce food, practice sustainability, and bring people together in their community. Employee Spotlight: This season, the farm welcomed two new employees who filled two brand-new positions. Our Program Coordinator is responsible for curating programs and strengthening the farms relationship with NEArc. They also give farm tours and host field trips and community service days. Our Farm Assistant worked directly with the Farm Manager. Their role involved tackling field work, washing and packing the significant increase in produce, and leading volunteer groups. Our Youth Crew Leader returned for their second season and effectively mentored and guided the interns throughout their work on the farm Farm Events: We love engaging with community members both on and off the farm. This season, we hosted and participated in nine programs and events. Our plan is to increase that number next season by adding even more community activities, including additional workshops in the herb garden. Funding for Sustainability: Newhall Fields has been awarded federal, state, and local grants to expand acreage in production and support programming, a variety of on-farm programs, leadership trainings, and summer internships. Newhall Fields top three grants include: J.B. Thomas Lahey Foundation, $15,000, which provided support for our youth programs; the City of Peabody $15,000, and the Essex County Community Foundation, Essex County Land and Environment grant, $14,950, which provided the funds to support capital improvements.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2020.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.