SKY FARM INC

Be Still and Know...

aka Sky Farm Hermitage   |   Sonoma, CA   |  www.skyfarm.org

Mission

Sky Farm was founded in 1975 as a Hermitage in the Hesychast tradition. The resident Hermit Monks live a life of silence, solitude, contemplative prayer, study and work. Sky Farm also provides four Guest Hermitages for those seeking to deepen their own spiritual life in an environment of silence and stillness. The further intention and deepest hope is to promote Peace through living of a life of truth, compassion and respect for all people and creation.

Notes from the nonprofit

For over 43 years Sky Farm has been a valuable resource for the many people who come or in some way stay in contact with the Hermitage. Solitude is path to a deeper solidarity with ourselves, our community and our world. Time apart helps people recognize their essential gift and discover new way s to be light, love and warmth in our world and neighborhoods. This non-profit is small but has a far reaching effect for good.

Ruling year info

1976

President

Brother Francis Ali

Secretary/Treasurer

Sister Michaela Terrio

Main address

16321 Norrbom Rd

Sonoma, CA 95476 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

68-0201334

NTEE code info

Interfaith Issues (X90)

Religion Related, Spiritual Development N.E.C. (X99)

Land Resources Conservation (C34)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is not required to file an annual return with the IRS because it is a church.

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

As Sky Farm Hermitage begins another year with restriction from Covid, we have found ways to continue to safely welcome guests, care for the land and the hermitages, and live a life of Prayer and Silence. We enter 2022 having restored the pond, renovated a hermitage, completing the tree work requested by the Fire Marshal and many other needed updates. Since 2017 protecting the buildings from fire potential has our highest priority. In 2021 many trees were trimmed to 6 feet off the ground and extensive clearing was done. These will continue to be part of our ongoing care of Sky Farm. In 2022 we would like to paint the exteriors of all the buildings providing a retardant in case of fire-(which we hope never comes again!). Yet we recognize the possibility and are doing all we can to be ready. We continue to give scholarships when possible and have some residual financial catchup to play from 2020. Everyone who comes thanks us and carries back into their lives the benefit of time here.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Environmental Preservation

Even now in 2021 we continue the work of recovering from the 2017 Fires with fire prevention measures each year. Fire damaged trees continue to fall, the amount of hillside that we clear each year is more extensive and expensive. We make every effort to care for the land, for the animals for which this is a free passage and to preserve the unique landscape.

Population(s) Served
Adults
Interfaith groups

The pond is an important meditative feature here at the Hermitage but the papyrus has become vastly overgrown and an invasive fern requires constant attention to prevent killing other plants. In 2021 we spent around $4000 to clear the massive roots of the Papyrus and make the pond healthy again. This is an ongoing annual expense of about $1500.

Population(s) Served
Adults

Some guests need assistance, especially students and the unemployed. This fund is a great way to make this available to those who may need it most.

Population(s) Served
Interfaith groups
Adults

The Hermitage is a well used and loved resource for many people and we always need assistance to keep it beautiful, functional and welcoming. Due to Covid the Hermitage was unable to welcome guests for most of 2020 and the early part of 2021. Our hope for 2022 is to paint the buildings both inside and outside. This would preserve them as well as offering some fire retardant help. The road needs some patching. A long term dream project would be to add solar panels. Thank you if you are reading this.

Population(s) Served
Adults
Interfaith groups

Where we work

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of participants attending course/session/workshop

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Adults

Related Program

Environmental Preservation

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

The flow of guests has increased each year as has the number of donors. 2020 we were closed from March 11 until March of 2021.

Number of participants counseled

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Adults

Related Program

Hermitage Conservation

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Counseling is a very small aspect of what we do here.

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

For 48 years Sky Farm has operated as a Hermitage in the Hesycast tradition of silence and solitude, and has shared this gift with others through retreats, a comprehensive library and spiritual counsel. Each year we undertake to improve and maintain various areas of the Hermitage and library. We offer scholarships as we are able to those who request assistance.

Our strategy, is to live a contemplative way of life caring for the earth and recognizing the value of each person. By welcoming people to spend time in this place of Silence and in Nature they re-connect with their own deepest values and experience why they do what they do. When they return to their own professions and causes that they serve they are inspired and reinvigorated to carry out the goods they work to bring to others. This is the GIFT of Sky Farm and it is a deeply appreciated gift. We don't make a lot of money but use it wisely to keep this remarkable resource available to others. Once a year we ask for Donations and usually this is enough to support the work that needs to be done. We are trying to encourage more monthly donations and also donations of stock to keep our income stream more steady. Keeping the website current is one way we reach out and welcome people. Being Monks we work and pray--and yes, plan but it is different that a corporation might do.
We are always finding ways to live more deeply and truly and to share this resource.

We are capable of welcoming a few people at a time and continually reach out via electronic media to those who may not be able to come for retreat. When asked we support similar endeavors and provide encouragement to any one who seeks to find their own personal call to prayer, community service and life dedication.

After 48 years this life and gift of Sky Farm continue to bless lives. We are continually improving and welcoming more guests each year. We have dreams of solar power to offset the rising power costs and to paint everything in 2022. We are alive and well and this is great progress!

Financials

SKY FARM INC
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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SKY FARM INC

Board of directors
as of 02/22/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board co-chair

Brother Francis Ali

Hermit Monk

Term: 2002 - 2022


Board co-chair

Dr. John Trapani

Walsh University (Emeritus)

Term: 2010 - 2022

Michaela Patricia Terrio

Hermit Sister

John G. Trapani

Walsh University

Francis Robert Ali

Hermit Monk

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 2/11/2021
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male, Not transgender
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

The organization's co-leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
Decline to state
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender
Sexual orientation
Decline to state
Disability status
Decline to state

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

Disability