Winter 2022

Page 1

IN THIS ISSUE:

LEADING DAIRY INNOVATION: CSU FRESNO LAUNCHES $1.8 MILLION EFFORT TO SERVE DAIRY BUSINESSES NAVIGATING NONPROFITS Nonprofits face many of the same challenges as for-profit organizations, with some additional twists. Learn more about some of the nonprofits Morrison has assisted.

Recognizing the significant challenges

to the Jordan Agricultural Research Center,

facing

in

California,

a 30,000 square foot world-class research

Washington,

California

facility, in addition to a dairy processing

State University, Fresno knew that to

plant and dairy unit. It is also home to

meaningfully spur change and protect

the Institute for Food and Agriculture,

and promote the dairy industries in each

one

of these states, convening a collaborative

the coordination and administration of

effort toward innovation was needed.

research, outreach, and training at the

dairy

Oregon,

and

producers

To that end, California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) – led by Dr. Carmen

GETTING TO KNOW JUSTIN WEBB Learn more about Morrison Business & Accounting Advisory Consultant Justin Webb.

Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.

Innovation Initiatives effort, Fresno State and collaborating institutions will deliver

million three-year grant award from the

hands-on technical assistance to dairy

United States Department of Agriculture’s

businesses, providing access to laboratory

Agricultural Marketing Service to create a

space

Pacific Coast Coalition, in partnership with

development and innovation.

the California Dairy Innovation Center, to

and

equipment

to

facilitate

The project has a strong focus on education as well offering learning opportunities on technical topics and related areas of interest such as supply chain innovation,

With this grant funding, Fresno State —

distribution, packaging, marketing, and

one of the 23 campuses of the California

branding strategies.

University

system

joins

the

University of Tennessee; Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets; and University of Wisconsin as one of just four Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives in the nation.

Developing

the

regional

workforce

by

offering online and bilingual programs will be key to providing opportunities for growth to the region’s diverse population while meeting the dairy industry’s needs. Recognizing the necessity of collaboratively

leading

addressing the significant issues facing the

organization to seek grant funding and

Pacific Coast region’s dairy industry, Fresno

support the launch of a Dairy Business

State will leverage its technical expertise

Initiative to support dairy producers in

and research capabilities in value-added

Fresno

State

was

a

natural

California, Oregon, and Washington. The

There is always something new going on,

university boasts a 388-acre main campus

so get caught up with our latest client news.

and 1,011-acre University Farm and is home

WWW.MORRISONCO.NET

for

recently announced the receipt of a $1.8

State

CLIENT CORNER

responsible

Food Science and Nutrition – pursued and

distribution of dairy products.

past season.

centers

Through the grant-funded Dairy Business

development, production, marketing, and

Check out some of our highlights from this

three

Licon Assistant Professor, Department of

support regional dairy businesses in the

MORRISON SNAPSHOTS

of

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

NEWSLETTER | WINTER 2022


NAVIGATING NONPROFITS

Few Americans have been untouched by the positive impacts of nonprofit organizations, whether it be through 4-H and FFA, Scouts,

BONITA HOUSE

the American Red Cross, their church, or Rotary and similar service

Bonita House, Inc. (BHI), based

organizations. Independent nonprofits are important players in

in

virtually every community, providing support for health, youth

private nonprofit mental health

programs, disaster recovery, education, and more.

agency that provides specialized

Morrison is proud to have a strong and growing presence with these types of organizations. The growth of these services was not by intent at first, but it was natural; the list of organizations where Morrison team members serve as volunteers would fill a page. Several have previously worked for nonprofit organizations.

Oakland,

California,

is

a

services to some of society’s most vulnerable people: those living with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. Founded in 1971 as an alternative to traditional psychiatric institutionalization, BHI has evolved into a specialized dual-diagnosis agency for the Alameda County community.

Services

offered

include

intensive

residential

Nonprofits face many of the same challenges as for-profit organizations.

treatment, independent living programs, housing and supported

Both have goals to accomplish and need funds to accomplish them.

employment, outpatient case management, clinical services,

Both have boards they are responsible to, and may need assistance in

and operation of wellness centers in Berkeley and East Oakland.

preparing for an external audit or review or assistance in searching

Upon the retirement of their long-time Chief Financial Officer,

and placing key executives. Both need efficient finance and accounting

Morrison was engaged to provide interim CFO duties including

processes and meaningful budgets. Both are stronger with strategic

financial oversight and review, audit preparation, assistance with

planning and organizational development support.

accounting software, policy and procedures documentation, and

In addition, non-profits often depend heavily on grants, donations, and annual events for most or all of their funding. Many have been dramatically impacted by COVID-19 related shutdowns of events, while simultaneously seeing increased needs for their services.

internal controls review. Presenting an additional challenge, Morrison’s services began in the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related restrictions on in-person contact. As one of Morrison’s first new clients during the pandemic, services were performed entirely remotely. While Morrison has long

Morrison has helped many nonprofits through both the routine

provided both onsite and remote services, this was an opportunity

and extraordinary challenges they face. Following are a few of the

to use that experience to help Bonita House manage this transition

nonprofits we’ve been honored to work with:

during an unprecedented time of societal uncertainty.

We’ve been blessed to serve nonprofits across all of our service lines and look forw


NAPA VALLEY FARMWORKER FOUNDATION

NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation

North

(FWF) is a nonprofit organization

Foundation (NVCF) is a nonprofit

that provides education and professional development to Napa

Valley

organization

Community that

serves

Valley’s winegrape farmworkers. Since its founding in 2011, FWF

California’s Butte, Colusa, Glenn, and Tehama Counties,

has reached more than 22,000 farmworkers and their families,

through grantmaking, partnerships, and a variety of financial

and provided more than 3,000 hours of education through

and philanthropic services. In recent years, NVCF has focused

seminars, trainings, and other educational events. FWF is one of

its efforts to respond to the many natural disasters occurring

the only organizations in the country focused solely on serving

across the region. For example, NVCF opened the Camp Fire

the needs of farmworkers. As a donation based organization,

Relief Fund immediately after the devastating wildfire began

FWF requires public and private funding to keep these programs

so that people could contribute to relief and recovery efforts.

going. Over the many years of working with FWF, Morrison has

Since then, NVCF has raised millions of dollars and issued more

written multiple successful grants provided by the United States

than $50 million in grants to organizations working with fire

Department of Agriculture, California Department of Food and

survivors. Additionally, NVCF is seeking to address the impacts

Agriculture, and Risk Management Agency, securing nearly

of drought on the North Valley, which is under an Extreme

$1 million in funding for the organization. Grant funds have

Drought designation according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

supported trainings, conducted in both English and Spanish, on

To address these needs, NVCF engaged Morrison to apply for a

leadership/management, financial literacy, business planning,

California State Water Resources Control Board Urgent Drinking

wildfire prevention, and English literacy, among others. Funding

Waters Needs Project to provide needed water resources to

has also been used to execute mentorship programs for youth

200 households in Glenn County with dry/impaired wells.

interested in starting a career in farming. Additionally, FWF has

The project was successfully awarded and NVCF received $1.8

leveraged grant funds to engage Morrison in providing direct

million to haul water, install storage tanks for this water, and

technical assistance to Napa’s farmworkers who are interested

deliver bottled water to Glenn County residents who are lacking

in applying for federal grant programs.

access to drinking water.

LONG VALLEY HEALTH CENTER Long

Valley

Health

Center

(LVHC)

is

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE NORTH VALLEY

a

nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center in

Offering

Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Valley (BGCNV), an affiliate of

comprehensive primary care services, which

rural

Laytonville,

Boys and Girls Clubs of America, is a nonprofit organization

includes

behavioral

formed in 1995 to provide services, activities, and programs for

health, as well as outreach services, LVHC is

youth in the “North State” region of California. BGCNV serves

a recipient of the Department of Health and

over 2,000 youth at 10 sites, focusing on after-school programs

Human Services’ Health Resources & Services Administration’s

for those aged 6 to 18. Services are designed to keep members

Quality Improvement Award.

on track to graduate from high school with plans for the future,

medical,

California.

dental,

and

Morrison was engaged to perform a compensation review and planning project for the organization. The Morrison team worked to determine external equity to the relevant job market as well as to evaluate internal equity.

good citizenship, and a healthy lifestyle. On the departure of their Finance Director, CEO Rashell Brobst urged the Board to approve a more sustainable model to address depth and continuity in the finance and accounting functions, particularly in light of the tight market for qualified professionals. “This is the future for

The unique rural nature of the organization required that

nonprofits,” said Brobst. “It’s the most reliable way to ensure

surveys and comparisons be made to similar organizations with

dependable ongoing professional support.” Morrison’s initial

a similar location demographic. Appropriate Cost-Of-Living

focus was providing oversight over monthly reporting, review

Adjustments (COLA) were applied. A point ranking job analysis

of the chart of accounts and processes, and finalization of the

tool was also developed to examine internal equity.

budget for the upcoming year. Since that time, Morrison has

The Morrison deliverable was a new wage scale and the assignment of particular positions into the correct segment of the scale. Appropriate range spread and mid-point progression was applied, which created a baseline program that could be reevaluated and updated while still maintaining the integrity of the program.

been involved in Board finance committee meetings, assisted with grant compliance, and helped prepare for the annual audit. Additionally, Morrison’s bookkeeping service personnel assist with bank reconciliations and other duties; Morrison now provides services ranging from Finance Director functions to bookkeeping.

ward to continuing our strong support in providing services to these organizations.


LEADING DAIRY INNOVATION, CONTINUED

dairy innovation with a remarkable set of

Morrison was honored to assist Fresno

We look forward to supporting Fresno State,

academic and business partners.

State in developing their competitive grant

the California Dairy Innovation Center, and

application

States

the collaborating partners as they work to

Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural

implement this critical project for the dairy

Marketing

industry.

These partners include the California Dairy Innovation Center and collaboration with California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo; the University of California, Davis;

California

State

Polytechnic

University, Humboldt; and Oregon State

Innovation

through

the

Service Initiatives

United

Dairy grant

Business program,

providing additional support to best position the application for a successful grant award.

University. The California Dairy Innovation

Morrison had the opportunity to work

Center and its steering committee will serve

directly with the talented team at Fresno

as an advisory board to the effort, bringing

State and the California Dairy Innovation

a

perspective,

Center, with the Morrison team contributing

and assisting with a sub-awards program

its strong history and knowledge of the dairy

which will make $300,000 in grant funding

industry and competitive grant programs to

available to regional dairy businesses for

the collective effort.

comprehensive

business

innovation-related investments annually for three years.

MORRISON

SNAPSH TS

COAT DRIVE The Morrison team had a chance to shop for coats benefitting students at Chico-based Fair View high school. Brent’s Rotary team and Michelle’s Rotaract club partnered to host the event and collected over 200 coats, sweats, mittens, socks, beanies, scarves, ear muffs, and more!

HATCHET HOUSE Our team loves spending time together, especially if it involves a little competition! The Morrison team bonded over a few friendly axe throwing games at Hatchet House, and finished off the day with pizza and drinks. Disclosure: No one was injured during the making of this snapshot.

RUN FOR FOOD A favorite Morrison tradition is to volunteer for Run For Food’s packet pick up and this year was no different. Back to Fleet Feet in downtown Chico, our team members helped runners (and walkers!) pick up their runner packets. The annual Run For Food on Thanksgiving Day supports the Jesus Center, a Morrison client!


TEAM MEMBER PROFILE Q&A WITH JUSTIN WHAT SPORT WOULD YOU COMPETE IN IF YOU WERE IN THE OLYMPICS? WHY? Soccer. My wife and I actually met at Simpson University where we both played the goalkeeper for the men’s and women’s soccer teams. It would be cool to play on the world stage and represent our country in one of the world’s favorite sports.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? My wife and I love to play strategy board games; we have a collection of over 60 games. We love that board games feel like a date-night in, a special event, or just as a way to spend time together with friends and family.

GETTING TO KNOW

JUSTIN WEBB Justin Webb serves Morrison clients in a range of services including interim controller roles and accounting support, business planning and budgeting, system documentation and improvement, loan compliance and cash planning, accounting system conversions, and audit support. Prior to joining the Morrison team, Justin was assistant controller at a large California walnut handler and private label manufacturer. He started his career with KCoe Isom, the region’s leading public accounting firm, working in a variety of industries with a focus on agribusiness.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE AND WHY? I have over 300 movies in my collection, but my favorite is an unusual pick: the 1998 version of the Parent Trap. This was the movie we always brought camping and watched on sick or rainy days. The nostalgia associated with this movie makes it my favorite, and recently my five-year-old daughter has started to fall in love with it too, only adding to the fond memories.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR? JRR Tolkien. I read the entire Lord of the Rings series when I was in fourth grade and have loved it ever since. I am fascinated with Tolkien’s creative ability to build such an expansive world. He created an entire history and culture for each people group - an entire mythos,

Justin holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, with minors in business

complete

administration and Bible & theology from Simpson University.

languages. I can’t wait to start sharing these fantastic

with

multiple

religions

and

functional

worlds and stories with my children.

WHAT’S YOUR BEST TRAVEL STORY? While on a college mission trip to the Spanish controlled city of Melilla in North Africa, we visited Morocco and stayed in the medieval city of Old Fez. From the ancient walls surrounding the city and the generations-old leather tanning site, to maze-like alleys and old bustling market streets, it truly felt like medieval times. We tried a lot of interesting food, bartered at local markets, and met so many amazing people – it was such an eye-opening experience to see how different the world, and its many cultures, can be.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I actually wanted to be a professional baseball player. Despite the fact I played soccer in college, baseball was always my favorite sport and the sport I was most skilled at. I grew up playing little league and travel ball, and watched my dad play Sunday ball. Baseball was a large part of my childhood, and I always thought it would be the coolest thing to play with the pros on TV or have my name announced at Dodger Stadium when I stepped up to the plate.


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FOLLOW US

C L I E N T CORNER The Morrison Client Corner is a regular feature of our newsletter.

If you’re a client of ours, we’d love to stay up to date with what is going

Here, you’ll find updates on what a number of our clients are up to,

on within your organization and invite you to share your highlights

their achievements and milestones, and the generally great things

in this space. Feel free to send any press releases, newsletters, or

happening in their companies or organizations.

happenings to Michelle at mgenova@morrisonco.net.

GROWTH, EXPANSION, AND GRANT AWARDS

VENTURA PACIFIC’S NEW PACKING PLANT

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Country Butcher was recently awarded

Ventura Pacific Company has successfully

Grange

$500,000

States

completed their test day in their new

Medford, OR, was recently recognized

Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Local

packing plant. As one of the largest

by the Medford Chamber of Commerce

Food Promotion Program, the purpose of

lemon producers for Sunkist, Ventura

Excellence in Business Awards. Citing “a

which is to expand intermediary services

Pacific Company expanded their packing

member with a record of dependability,

that increase access to local foods. As

operations with a new 32-acre packing

success, exceptional customer service,

the only facility serving California’s

facility in Oxnard, CA. For many years,

outstanding

community

Yuba and Sutter counties that provides

Ventura Pacific Company operated out of

leadership,”

the

USDA inspected meat processing for

older previously owned facilities, but now

Grange Cooperative with the Retailer of

livestock

Butcher

they’ve built a packing plant to suit their

the Year award. Morrison has worked

faced overwhelming demand to increase

needs by expanding capacity by roughly

closely

its

50

several years and has had the opportunity

through

producers,

processing

delighted

the

to

Country

capacity. have

United

Morrison

assisted

is

Country

Butcher in writing and preparing this grant proposal, and we look forward to seeing their continued growth and success.

percent.

Congratulations

Ventura

Pacific Company!

check

with

headquartered

service,

Chamber

Grange

in

and

presented

Cooperative

for

to see first-hand the great qualities that

To learn more about Ventura Pacific Company,

Cooperative,

out

our

newsletter

feature on them at www.morrisonco.net/ newsletter/summer-2019.

have earned them this award. To learn more about Grange Cooperative, check out our newsletter feature on them at www. morrisonco.net/newsletter/spring-2021.

WELCOME NEW CLIENTS NATIONAL FOOD FESTIVALS

WWW.MORRISONCO.NET

ETCHEGARAY FARMS

NEWSLETTER | WINTER 2022


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