Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM)

Join us for a remarkable evening at GATHER FOR THE PLANET 2023, a fundraiser that promises to be a pivotal moment for the future of food. This special evening celebrates 40 years of AIM's incredible journey and sets the stage for an exciting future in food and sustainability. NOVEMBER 4TH, 2023 5 PM - 9:30 PM THE HAVEN AT TOMALES WEST MARIN NATURAL FARM Savor an epic soil to plate tasting menu curated by notable chef Daniel Capra with Paula LeDuc Fine Catering. Featuring a tribute of AIM’s second climate action champion award, take home auction items of incredible goods and farm-forward packages, and a Fund-a-Need to give back to your favorite farmers market. Come together with us as we dine, celebrate, and contribute to the vision of a better, more sustainable food system. Your presence and support will make all the difference. Reserve your seat today and be a part of the change, the delicious food, and the vibrant community that will gather for a sustainable and flavorful future. www.gatherfortheplanet.org

https://lnkd.in/gEyFMbUY

Applications are now open for AIM’s Racial Equity Fund! As part of our work to make markets more inclusive and accessible, we are thrilled to officially announce AIM's Racial Equity Fund is now open for applications for a fourth cohort! This fund strives to reduce financial barriers to entry by supporting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Farmers, Food Producers, and Artisans getting their start at AIM’s farmers markets. What the fund will offer • AIM farmers market registration fees ($150) • Free stall fees for six months (26 weeks) at one of AIM’s farmers markets (10x10 booth, approx. $1,300) • A $2,500 stipend for any market-related costs, such as: tents, booth signage, online marketing, organic certification(s), health department fees and other critical but sometimes hidden costs of starting and expanding a food-related business • Mentorship with an established farmers market participant or Small Business Development Center advisor, if desired The Racial Equity Fund Application will be open from October 1st - October 31st, 2024. After applications close an outside panel of BIPOC community members will convene to select the next cohort for the Racial Equity Fund. https://lnkd.in/gtgXTCJx

We’re excited to share the news: thanks to our community, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2786 (Certified Mobile Farmers' Markets) into law! We created the first state law for mobile farmers' markets in the country! With passage of this law, we now have a legal definition of certified mobile farmers' markets in California to maintain integrity and access to fresh, culturally-relevant foods in our local communities while supporting small-scale farmers. The California Department of Public Health will now be able to include mobile farmers' markets in their state plan of operation for the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program to allow families to use their benefits at mobile markets. Our success is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our community. You sent nearly 200 messages to Governor Newsom, which made this victory possible. We also thank Assemblymember Mia Bonta (Oakland) who was our champion for this legislation. Cheers, Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) & Fresh Approach

Announcing AIM’s Fall/Winter Growing Success Webinar Series for producers   Join AIM and our partners as we explore various topics to support small farms, ranches, food businesses, and artisans over the next few months. All webinars will be free.   We hope you can attend the first webinar of the series, designed for farmers, to introduce upcoming grant opportunities from Community Alliance with Family Farmers and their online grant resource tool.   Grants for Producers presented by CAFF Tuesday October 1st 3:30-5:00pm Register here: https://lnkd.in/guKAC_R6 Spanish interpretation will be available.  

Last week, we came together to celebrate AIM’s 2024 Racial Equity Fund Cohort, and what happened was truly special! We heard stories of successes, shared challenges and opportunities and ate really yummy food! Three cheers for the 2024 Racial Equity Fund Cohort! Goldi’s Gourmet Spices Nadia’s Desserts Oaxax Organic Farm Meera’s The Weekend Store Dre’s Jams and Jellies Yeso Coconut 8am Fashion Kinoko The Racial Equity Fund strives to reduce financial barriers to entry, by specifically supporting BIPOC farmers, food producers, and artisans who are getting started at AIM’s farmers markets!

After months of advocacy, our State Bill for Certified Mobile farmers markets has cleared the State Legislature with all unanimous votes and is headed to the Governor's Desk! Please help us get this bill across the finish line by signing and sharing this letter to the Governor: https://lnkd.in/gd9ZuBDp AIM and Fresh Approach have co-sponsored AB 2786, authored by Mia Bonta for Certified Mobile Farmers Markets & WIC. AB 2786 will create a formal definition for Certified Mobile Farmers Markets (CMFMs) in State Law, and consequently increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables grown by California’s farmers among low-income families who participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). Having a legal definition of Certified Mobile Farmers Markets is especially important because Proposition 4 (aka the Climate Bond) on the November 2024 ballot includes $20 million in funding for new Certified Mobile Farmers Markets.

State Bill for Certified Mobile Farmers Markets & WIC Advances Assembly member Mia Bonta’s Assembly Bill 2786 (Certified Mobile Farmers Markets), sponsored by the Agricultural Institute of Marin & Fresh Approach, unanimously passed the California Senate Appropriations Committee! Now the Bill heads to the Senate Floor for a vote. If passed by the Senate, the Bill would lastly go to the Governor’s desk for signature. This bill will create a formal definition for certified mobile farmers markets (CMFMs) in State Code to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables grown by California’s farmers among low-income families. The bill would require that CMFMs annually register with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and pay a registration fee up to $200 annually. This bill will also direct the California Department of Public Health to include certified mobile farmers markets in their Special Supplemental Nutrition Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program State Plan of Operations submitted to the USDA Food and Nutrition. Once certified by CDFA, CMFMs would then be eligible to be authorized to accept WIC FMNP benefits. We need this bill because while mobile markets like AIM’s Rollin’ Root are currently allowed to redeem SNAP/EBT benefits, we cannot accept WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks for farmers. When this bill becomes law, AIM, Fresh Approach, and other California Mobile Farmers Market Operators would then be able to increase sales to certified producers and close a loophole in California that excludes our WIC participants from using their farmers market checks at Mobile Farmers Markets. 10 other U.S. states allows mobile markets to accept WIC farmers market checks, so let’s make California the 11th! It’s been a long journey, and we’re almost there!

The Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) OPPOSES Measure J, a proposal that threatens the very backbone of Sonoma County’s agricultural heritage, food security and economic stability. We join in the Sonoma County Family Farms Alliance effort and the “No on Measure J” campaign in urging Sonoma County residents to vote NO on Measure J. Measure J seeks to eliminate our diverse animal agriculture production, jeopardizing the livelihoods of multi-generational farming families who have nurtured the land and contributed to our community for decades. If Measure J is passed, the consequences will be dire. Not only will it put countless family-owned farms and ranches out of business, but it will also lead to a significant increase in the cost of essential products such as dairy, eggs, and poultry. Measure J would also make it more difficult for people new to farming who want to pursue animal agriculture as a livelihood. Sonoma County residents will find themselves facing higher food prices for well raised animals, as local sources of these vital food items are dismantled. Read our complete statement: https://lnkd.in/guQqaTXV

California’s State Senate Declares Nov. 22 as ‘Kimchi Day’ by Peter Schurmann https://lnkd.in/gVMBguJx California State Senator Dave Min introduced Senate Resolution 102, declaring Nov. 22 California Kimchi Day. On Wednesday, Min joined a diverse gathering of over 100 people in Sacramento to celebrate the resolution’s passage. “Korean Americans represent a vibrant, growing community, and an indispensable part of the fabric of the United States.” Kimchee has been widely acknowledged as a probiotic food item with well-established positive health benefits that serves as an excellent source of beta-carotene, calcium, potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamins A, B, C, and K, which can lower rates of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. Sen Min with Aruna Lee (L), founder of Volcano Kimchi, and Ge Moua, owner of Moua organic farms in Sacramento, both of whom are part of AIM’s Farmers markets. Moua is a key source of organic ingredients for Lee’s kimchi, highlighting the vital economic links growing around this traditional Korean staple.