Agricultural Resilience In the Face of Extreme Dry Conditions
We are grateful to share with you the attached report - Agricultural Resilience In the Face of Extreme Dry Conditions: A Marin and Sonoma Partnership Response and Recommendations. Written by Marin and Sonoma County agencies and organizations, this report documents collective and coordinated responses to the extreme dry conditions from 2019 through 2022.
The Future of Marin’s Farms and Ranches – Challenges and Opportunities
David Lewis, Director of University of California Cooperative Extension in Marin, guides a presentation by the leaders of a group of dedicated and coordinated support organizations who assist area rancher and farmers to achieve on-farm production and environmental goals.
CVNL 30th Annual Heart of Marin™ Awards
AIM's CEO, Andy Naja-Riese, was recognized with the Center for Volunteer and Non-Profit Leadership (CVNL) 2022 Heart of Marin™ Excellence in Leadership Award presented to an executive director who has demonstrated excellence in leadership and whose vision has inspired meaningful and lasting change benefiting the organization and community.
CEO Corner: The Search For Eggs
An outbreak in avian flu is taking a toll on the conventional egg market. Large scale conventional egg layers—often raised in confined spaces and cages—are getting hit much harder by avian flu given the size of their flocks and the spread of the virus.
AIM’s 2022 Climate Action Champion Award Nominees
The Agricultural Institute of Marin presented the Climate Action Champion Award to one of our market participants at the Gala. Bivalve Dairy is the recipient of AIM’s first annual Climate Action Champion Award, presented to an individual farm, or small business that has developed innovative and replicable solutions to address the climate crisis through agriculture, food production, or craftsmanship.
CEO Corner: AIM’s Center for Food and Agriculture Update
As many of you know, AIM is spearheading the ongoing development for our Center for Food and Agriculture (CFA), place for our flagship Marin Farmers Market to become a zero-waste farmers market and educational space dedicated to healthier food culture.
CEO Corner: The True Cost of Food
Lately we are seeing retail costs of food rising due to increased expenses (gas, labor, supplies, etc.) and inflationary related trends. It’s alarming, but also a good reminder to step back and talk about the true cost of food – as we all know that food costs more than what is paid at checkout.
CEO Corner: CalFresh Awareness Month
The month of May marks CalFresh Awareness Month, the official month dedicated to increasing public awareness of CalFresh. CalFresh helps to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing improved access to healthy and nutritious foods. Last year, we distributed over $960,000 in benefits to increase equity at our markets!
Bay Area Farmers Come Together Amid Historic Drought
Written by Matt Dolkas at MALT: Farmers from around the Bay Area congregated this week at MALT-protected Black Mountain Ranch for a workshop on low water farming practices and to compare notes as to what’s working amid the region’s historic drought.
CEO Corner: Support Measure A for sustainable agriculture
Measure A’s sustainable agriculture program ensures that the people who grow our food can remain in operation. Farms and ranches that use climate-smart practices have the potential to help reverse the climate crisis and reduce extreme weather, like drought and wildfire.
AIM Policy Update
AIM has been actively advocating for and supporting many recent policies to champion a healthy, Earth-friendly, food system.
CEO Corner: It’s Time to Rethink our Food System
The state legislative season is getting active, and AIM has joined up with 14 other organizations working in agriculture, environmental justice, and environmental groups as part of the Food & Farm Resilience Coalition.
Project Cereal
A campaign from our partner organization Conscious Kitchen that is transforming school food supply chains to feature more fresh and organic foods. The project advocates for healthier school breakfasts that are made from foods free of pesticides and herbicides like glyphosate. Project Cereal is helping build the capacity for school cafeterias in West Contra Costa County to serve organic cereal and organic milk daily, sourced from local farmers and ranchers using responsible practices.
Sustainable Agriculture worth Measure A Support
Marin County supervisors approved a revised version of the Measure A sales tax measure for the June 7 ballot. We would like to commend the Marin County Board of Supervisors for preserving the future of Marin County’s agricultural land by allocating 20% of Measure A funds toward land stewardship, conservation easements.
Celebrating Black History month and supporting Black-owned Businesses
February is dedicated as Black History Month, a time to reflect and honor the triumphs and struggles of African Americans throughout U.S. history.