Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CEDAR CIRCLE FARM AND EDUCATION CENTER IS DEDICATED TO AGRICULTURAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND PROVIDING AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO CHILDREN, PARENTS, EDUCATORS, FARMERS, CONSUMERS, STUDENTS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PROMOTE ORGANIC, REGENERATIVE FARMING AND THE TRANSITION TO A LOCALIZED FOOD ECONOMY, INCLUDING BY PRODUCING HEALTHY, ORGANIC FOOD FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY IN A WAY THAT ENHANCES RESOURCES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. CEDAR CIRCLE FARM AND EDUCATION CENTER (THE "FARM") IS LOCATED IN EAST THETFORD, VERMONT, AND IS A WORKING FARM AND LEARNING CENTER. THE FARM BEGAN OPERATING AS A 501(C)(3) CHARITY ON OCTOBER 1, 2020. PRIOR TO THAT DATE, THE FARM HAD BEEN MANAGED BY CEDAR CIRCLE FARM, LLC, A VERMONT LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. THE FARM PROPERTY FEATURES SEVERAL GREENHOUSES, A FARM STAND, AND ITS FARM KITCHEN AND HELLO CAFE, WHERE VISITORS CAN PURCHASE LOW-COST ORGANIC FRUIT, VEGETABLES, PREPARED FOOD AND BAKED GOODS SOURCED FROM OR MADE AT THE
- Income
- $3.2 million
- Spending
- $2.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- 1.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 68%
- Employees
- 89
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $101,651, executive di
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 44% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 253 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (5)
- $900,072 spent. THE VEGETABLE GROWING PROGRAM ENGAGES THE PUBLIC THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS, WHICH PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT THE SEASONALITY OF PRODUCE AND BENEFITS OF LOCAL AND FRESH FOOD AND PLANTS FOR THEIR OWN GARDENS. IN 2025, CEDAR CIRCLE HAD 426 FAMILIES PARTICIPATING IN AT LEAST ONE OF OUR FOUR CSA PROGRAMS. CEDAR CIRCLE MAINTAINS A RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH WEEKLY EMAIL NEWSLETTERS THAT PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT PRESERVING FOOD, RECIPES TO UTILIZE LOCAL INGREDIENTS, AND ISSUES THAT CONSUMERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF WHEN THEY MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WHEN THEY SPEND THEIR FOOD DOLLARS. THE FARM ALSO WORKS WITH SEVERAL OTHER VERMONT NONPROFITS THAT DELIVER UNUSED FRESH FOOD TO MANY LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES OR MAKE PRODUCE AVAILABLE THROUGH SUBSIDIZED PROGRAMS. OUR KITCHEN PROVIDED OVER 1,000 MEALS TO THE DARTMOUTH CANCER CENTER, AT A SUBSIDIZED COST, ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF POUNDS OF FRESH PRODUCE TO THEIR CLIENTS. ALONG WITH OUR SERVICE TO THE CANCER CENTER, WE PROVIDED 4,000 LBS OF FRESH PRODUCE TO WILLING HANDS, INC. FOR THEIR HUNGER PREVENTION PROGRAMS. OUR HUNGER RELIEF AND NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES TECHNICAL SUPPORT, FREE LAND USE, AND SUPPORT OF LABOR AT WILLING HANDS GARDEN ON OUR FARM. THE EXPENSE OF THESE PROGRAMS, WHICH SHARE RESOURCES, IS APPROXIMATELY 35% OF OUR TOTAL EXPENSES. THE VEGETABLE GROWING PROGRAM ENGAGES THE PUBLIC THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS, WHICH PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT THE SEASONALITY OF PRODUCE AND BENEFITS OF LOCAL AND FRESH FOOD AND PLANTS FOR THEIR OWN GARDENS. IN 2025, CEDAR CIRCLE HAD 426 FAMILIES PARTICIPATING IN AT LEAST ONE OF OUR FOUR CSA PROGRAMS. CEDAR CIRCLE MAINTAINS A RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH WEEKLY EMAIL NEWSLETTERS THAT PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT PRESERVING FOOD, RECIPES TO UTILIZE LOCAL INGREDIENTS, AND ISSUES THAT CONSUMERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF WHEN THEY MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WHEN THEY SPEND THEIR FOOD DOLLARS. THE FARM ALSO WORKS WITH SEVERAL OTHER VERMONT NONPROFITS THAT DELIVER UNUSED FRESH FOOD TO MANY LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES OR MAKE PRODUCE AVAILABLE THROUGH SUBSIDIZED PROGRAMS. OUR KITCHEN PROVIDED OVER 1,000 MEALS TO THE DARTMOUTH CANCER CENTER, AT A SUBSIDIZED COST, ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF POUNDS OF FRESH PRODUCE TO THEIR CLIENTS. ALONG WITH OUR SERVICE TO THE CANCER CENTER, WE PROVIDED 4,000 LBS OF FRESH PRODUCE TO WILLING HANDS, INC. FOR THEIR HUNGER PREVENTION PROGRAMS. OUR HUNGER RELIEF AND NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES TECHNICAL SUPPORT, FREE LAND USE, AND SUPPORT OF LABOR AT WILLING HANDS GARDEN ON OUR FARM. THE EXPENSE OF THESE PROGRAMS, WHICH SHARE RESOURCES, IS APPROXIMATELY 35% OF OUR TOTAL EXPENSES.
- $514,327 spent. UNDER OUR UMBRELLA OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS, WE HAVE OUR SUMMER CAMP, SCHOOL PROGRAMS, COOKING FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS, LITTLE FARMERS, AND OUR TEEN FARM FELLOWS, A PAID APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH TO LEARN ABOUT AGRICULTURE AS A POTENTIAL CAREER PATH. WORKSHOPS AND TOURS ALSO PROVIDE HUNDREDS OF GUESTS ANNUALLY, WITH FIRST-HAND INFORMATION AND EXPERIENCES IN LEARNING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY AWARENESS AND PROMOTE GOOD HEALTH. THE EDUCATION PROGRAMS COMBINED ACCOUNT FOR APPROXIMATELY 20% OF OUR EXPENSES RESPECTIVELY. THESE PROGRAMS ALL UTILIZE THE VEGETABLE GROWING OPERATION AS THEIR CLASSROOM OR AREA OF LEARNING ABOUT THEIR FOOD. AGRICULTURE, AND ECOLOGY THROUGH HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES IN THE FIELDS OR GREENHOUSES. ALL OF OUR STAFF PRIORITIZE EDUCATION,. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND FORWARD THINKING SOLUTIONS TO MEET THE MISSION OF OUR ORGANIZATION. THESE PROGRAMS SERVED APPROXIMATELY 1,800 PEOPLE. UNDER OUR UMBRELLA OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS, WE HAVE OUR SUMMER CAMP, SCHOOL PROGRAMS, COOKING FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS, LITTLE FARMERS, AND OUR TEEN FARM FELLOWS, A PAID APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH TO LEARN ABOUT AGRICULTURE AS A POTENTIAL CAREER PATH. WORKSHOPS AND TOURS ALSO PROVIDE HUNDREDS OF GUESTS ANNUALLY, WITH FIRST-HAND INFORMATION AND EXPERIENCES IN LEARNING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY AWARENESS AND PROMOTE GOOD HEALTH. THE EDUCATION PROGRAMS COMBINED ACCOUNT FOR APPROXIMATELY 20% OF OUR EXPENSES RESPECTIVELY. THESE PROGRAMS ALL UTILIZE THE VEGETABLE GROWING OPERATION AS THEIR CLASSROOM OR AREA OF LEARNING ABOUT THEIR FOOD. AGRICULTURE, AND ECOLOGY THROUGH HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES IN THE FIELDS OR GREENHOUSES. ALL OF OUR STAFF PRIORITIZE EDUCATION,. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND FORWARD THINKING SOLUTIONS TO MEET THE MISSION OF OUR ORGANIZATION. THESE PROGRAMS SERVED APPROXIMATELY 1,800 PEOPLE.
- $385,745 spent. RESEARCH AT CEDAR CIRCLE FARM AND EDUCATION CENTER FOCUSES ON LEARNING NEW AND TRADITIONAL GROWING PRACTICES THAT REJUVENATE SOIL HEALTH AND REGENERATE NATURAL RESOURCES CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESS AND SUSTAINABILITY OF PESTICIDE-FREE FARMERS. THIS YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 15% OF OUR EXPENSES WERE ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. THIS INCLUDED WORK ON MINIMIZING TILLAGE IN ANNUAL VEGETABLE SYSTEMS AND TRIALING ALTERNATIVE SOIL FERTILIZERS AND PEST MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES. THESE TRIALS WERE SHARED IN WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS AT MULTIPLE INDUSTRY CONFERENCES THIS PAST YEAR. .
- $726,107 spent. CEDAR CIRCLE FARM AND EDUCATION CENTER, INC. HAS SEVERAL OTHER OFFERINGS, INCLUDING ITS PUMPKIN FESTIVAL, SPECIAL EVENTS, AND PICK YOUR OWN FLOWERS, AND ITS FARMSTAND, KITCHEN, AND HELLO CAFE. WHILE THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE INCOME TO THE FARM, THEY ARE OPERATED TO USE AS A LEARNING RESOURCE FOR FARM VISITORS AND ALSO TO COVER THE COSTS OF THE FARMS OTHER NON-INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES AND, WHEN AGGREGATED TOGETHER, OFTEN RESULT ON A LOSS TO THE FARM DUE TO THE TIME AND EFFORT REQUIRED TO OPERATE THEM.
- CEDAR CIRCLE FARM AND EDUCATION CENTER, INC. HAS SEVERAL OTHER OFFERINGS, INCLUDING ITS PUMPKIN FESTIVAL, SPECIAL EVENTS, AND PICK YOUR OWN FLOWERS, AND ITS FARMSTAND, KITCHEN, AND HELLO CAFE. WHILE THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE INCOME TO THE FARM, THEY ARE OPERATED TO USE AS A LEARNING RESOURCE FOR FARM VISITORS AND ALSO TO COVER THE COSTS OF THE FARMS OTHER NON-INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES AND, WHEN AGGREGATED TOGETHER, OFTEN RESULT ON A LOSS TO THE FARM DUE TO THE TIME AND EFFORT REQUIRED TO OPERATE THEM.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 2025.
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 March 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 October 21, 2026.
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