Mentoring & Technical
Assistance Opportunities

Contact: Liana Orlandi, Program Grants Manager 
Email: liana@agriculturalinstitute.org 
Phone: 415.903.5216
Web: agriculturalinstitute.org/growing-success

AIM’s mission is to educate, inspire, and connect responsible farmers and producers as part of a healthy, Earth-friendly, equitable local and regional food system.

• Sourcing reusable and environmentally preferred packaging
  and containers at markets 

• Developing a seasonal growing calendar  

• Working with local health departments to obtain farmers market permits  

• Sourcing from farmers and ranchers for prepared food production 

• Produce displays & booth set-up to maximize sales 

• Accepting EBT at your farm stand or CSA 

AIM Farmers Market participants

Contact: Liana Orlandi, Program Grants Manager 
Email: liana@agriculturalinstitute.org 
Phone: 415.903.5216
Web: agriculturalinstitute.org/growing-success 

Peer-to-peer advising can be powerful! A few of AIM’s long-time market participants have offered open invitations to talk with new market participants, or others who may want to explore ideas together. Contact Liana Orlandi, Program Grants Manager, to get connected.

• Connect with an experienced market participant who can share knowledge and tips for succeeding at farmers markets

Contact: Jacob Shklovsky, VP, Small Business Banking Manager  
San Francisco/North Bay 
Email: yakov.shklovsky@bofa.com  
Phone: 925.510.0706 
Web: bankofamerica.com/smallbusiness/resources/

At Bank of America, we are committed to making financial lives better for those we serve. We have done this in part by creating simple, safe, transparent, and easy-to-use financial solutions that give people greater control of their finances. When individuals and businesses feel financially secure and are able to achieve their financial goals, communities are made stronger.

• Find out how to utilize technology to simplify and strengthen operations 

• Learn what banks and lenders look for before they approve loans 

• Learn how your income statement affects your ability to borrow 

• Talk to an advisor regarding your banking questions 

Contact: Steve Schwartz, Executive Director 
Email: steve@interfaithfood.org 
Phone: 707.217.5603 
Web: interfaithfood.org 

Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative's mission is to advance the production of and access to healthy food produced in a sustainable, socially just manner. We empower faith communities throughout the Bay Area with models and resources to impact local food systems and advance public policy.

• Partner with the faith community to access commercial kitchens in your area 

• Partner with the faith community to launch CSAs  

• Learn how to get licensed to accept WIC & Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program produce vouchers 

• Connect with new markets for livestock, including Halal and Kosher 

Contact: Wendy Sosa, Cross Regional Program Coordinator 
Email: info@kitchentableadvisors.org 
Phone: 831.235.2772 
Web: kitchentableadvisors.org

Kitchen Table Advisors fuels the economic viability of small sustainable farms and ranches through practical business advising and relationship building. Our work focuses on both directly supporting farmers and ranchers, as well as shifting the ecosystem within which they operate, to be more inclusive of their agricultural practices and their lived experiences.

• Annual cohort selected each Fall for 3-year intensive business coaching program 

• Cohort of farmers and ranchers selected: 

  • Must be inside service ranges: Yolo / Solano, North Bay, San Mateo,
    East Bay, Central Coast 

  • Preferred BIPOC and Women-owned businesses that are certified organic or pasture-based animal systems 

  • Inclusive of monolingual Spanish-speakers 

• Recruitment begins each Summer for Fall cohort 

• Learning areas include: Business Planning, Financial Management,
  Access to Markets & Marketing, Land Access & Tenure, Access to Capital, Organizational Management and Balancing Farm and Family Needs 

Contact: Scott Dunbar, Stewardship Program Manager
– Sustainable Agriculture
Email: sdunbar@malt.org 
Phone: 415.663.9721 
Web:  malt.org

MALT’s mission is to permanently protect Marin’s agricultural land for agricultural use. MALT’s vision for Marin County is a thriving agricultural community in a healthy and diverse natural environment.

• Land stewardship for MALT - protected properties 

• Stewardship assistance grants for MALT - protected properties 

• Drought Resilience and Water Security Program (DRAWS) for any Marin producers 

Contact: Michelle Katuna, Agroecologist 
Email: michelle@marinrcd.org 
Phone: (415) 663-1170 x 304 
Web: marinrcd.org

The Marin Resource Conservation District offers a variety of programs to facilitate implementation of conservation projects in Marin County. We partake in innovative projects that explore alternative land stewardship practices relying on local history to guide our decisions about the future.

• Creating full-farm Carbon Farming Plans (CFPs)

• Providing funding and technical assistance to design and implement carbon and/or wildlife beneficial practices on farms including hedgerows, wind breaks, compost application, and riparian restorations

• Providing funding and coordination for ranch and dairy improvements that benefit water quality in specific Marin watersheds

• In collaboration with local partner organizations, educating local landowners and public about conservation and agricultural practices

• Coordinating permits for conservation projects

• Connecting local land managers with federal, state, and local organizations and agencies for technical assistance and grants

Contact: Miriam Hope Karell, Marin SBDC Director 
Email: miriam@marinsbdc.org 
Phone: 415.482.1819 
Web: marinsbdc.org

The Marin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a local nonprofit that provides no cost business advising to help you grow and expand. There are 22 skilled professionals that understand what it takes to run a small business and are ready to support you in answering your questions.

• Marketing: strategy, SEO, social media, ecommerce, website best practices 

• Human Resources: small business employment law, hiring and retaining employees 

• Funding/Finance: crowdfunding, crafting a pitch, how to get a loan approved, accounting and bookkeeping, Quickbooks, cash flow management 

• Sales/Negotiation: communication tactics for better sales, lease negotiation, projections and business strategy