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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A Tale of Two Flowers: Valentine’s Day is synonymous with flowers and chocolates, but did you ever take a step back to think about the dark side of the global flower industry?

In celebration of Earth Day, AIM wants to recognize their eco-friendly practices and some of the producers who work hard throughout the year, nurturing the soil and providing habitat for pollinators, beneficial insects, birds and other wildlife, to bring healthy, delicious food to us.

It’s no secret that the past year has been a difficult one for the planet. The pandemic, disastrous wildfires and drought have made it clear that climate change and other environmental issues pose serious threats to public health and society.

Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D- Hollister) made an exciting announcement about a bill he just introduced called the Equitable Economic Recovery, Healthy Food Access, Climate Resilient Farms and Worker Protection Bond Act (AB 125).

Did you know that 70% of the food we consume around the world today originated by Indigenous people’s of the Americas? This is an important fact we learned from White Mountain Apache Chef Nephi Craig in the recently released documentary Gather. On this Indigenous People’s Day, consider watching “Gather”.

There are countless reasons to buy local food. From mouth-watering fruit, produce at the peak of freshness, delicious meals made with love and local ingredients, to meeting the people who grow your food. Here are ten reasons why to support farmers markets.