Gather for the Planet 2026
Gather for the Planet 2026 an unforgettable event. We raised $281,900 in fundraising and announced a $500,000 gift from Bank of America that will all go towards bringing the Center for Food and Agriculture to life.
And we had a ton of fun before the evening program even began. Good Friends set the mood with their indie-folk tunes, and the Charli Jo Hat Co. customized hat trailer was a huge hit.
The apple orchard arch was stocked with heirloom varietals from Gold Ridge Organic Farm plus the raffle baskets. Even if you didn’t win a basket, we hope you were able to go “apple picking.”
Roaming Feast
Our chefs Laura & Sayat Ozyilmaz of Maria Isabel and Dalida restaurants did a phenomenal job designing the menu to feature the shoulder season and our local producers. The lamb and apple kebab, esquites, mussels escabeche were just a few highlights of the Mexican and Mediterranean menu. Thank you to Metal and Match catering for turning the menu into the roaming feast and to Dancing Crow for pouring their wines.
Evening Program
Amy Loflin, the Senior Vice President; North Bay Market Executive, Local Markets at Bank of America, presents AIM with a $500,000 grant towards the CFA.
The evening program included an announcement from our Bank of America partner Amy Loflin. Their $500,000 gift to fund the Center for Food and Agriculture was a surprise—even to our CEO Andy Naja-Riese. The grant comes from a years-long relationship between AIM and Bank of America’s North Bay market, and demonstrates Bank of America’s commitment to the North Bay’s agricultural community and regional food system. It was a fantastic way to kick off the evening’s fundraising.
Auctioneer and emcee Emily Quinn returns to Gather for the Planet for her second year.
Auctioneer Emily Quinn led the room with her signature style and enthusiasm. Live auction items included experiences like group farmhouse stays and private chef dinners, reservations at Bon Appétit’s 2026 Best New Restaurant Maria Isabel and Dalida, and everyone’s favorite big ticket item—a VIP parking space at the Thursday Marin Farmers Market.
Gather for the Planet 2026 finished with the presentation of the Climate Action Champion Award. A celebration of producers who make it their mission to give back to the earth, this award is representative of AIM’s mission. This year it was awarded to Brooke Hazen of Gold Ridge Organic Farm. Since founding Gold Ridge Organic Farms in 2000, Brooke Hazen has been dedicated to organic farming, sustainable practices, and the promotion of healthy, farm-to-table foods. His holistic approach to agriculture integrates environmental stewardship, renewable energy, and community engagement, working in harmony to ensure a thriving, sustainable farm ecosystem.
AIM CEO Andy Naja-Riese (right) and Albert Straus (center) present Brooke Hazen (left) of Gold Ridge Organic Farms with the 2026 Climate Action Champion Award.
The Numbers
Ticket Sales and Sponsorships - $86,700
Raffle Baskets - $4,800
Live Auction - $58,900
Fund-A-Need - $131,500
Total Raised - $281,900
The grant from the Bank of America and the proceeds from the event put us at $23.85 million total raised toward the Center for Food and Agriculture. We are within $150,000 of the original $24 million capital campaign goal to build the CFA, a permanent home for the Marin farmers market and Food Innovation Hub.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, partners, and the incredible team that made this event a success. We are grateful for your partnership—we truly could not do this without you.
Sponsors:
Peg Smith
Kathleen and Fred Taylor
In-Kind:
8 AM Fashion, Bay Laurel Culinary, David Upchurch Chocolatier, Dirt Dog Farm, Dragon Physical Therapy, Farmor's Dressing, International Orange, Jacqueline Formanek Pottery, Jungle Maiden Jewelry, Lucky Dog Hot Sauce, Luke Garrison Woodwork, MacLean Custom Screen Printing, Mary Jane Salberg Jewelry, Pennyroyal Farm, Piazza Hospitality, Sea Ranch Lodge, Seaside Weavers, The Wild Pear, Three Plumes, Ziz Land
Live Auction:
Gold Ridge Organic Farms, Straus Home Ranch, Tomales Farmstead Creamery & Toluma Farms, Chef Daniel Capra, Stemple Creek Ranch, Chef Jennifer Sherman, Alice Waters, Milváli Salon & Cosmetics, Watershed & Eddy Bar & Bottle, Tacori Jewelry, Chef Melissa Perillo, Chefs Laura & Sayat Ozyilmaz, Dalida, & Maria Isabel, Frances Restaurant
Chefs:
Laura & Sayat Ozyilmaz of Maria Isabel and Dalida restaurants.
Purveyors:
Devoto Orchards, Fiddler’s Green Farm, Full Belly Farm, Gold Ridge Organic Farm, lacopi Farms, Kashiwashe Farms, KM Mushrooms, Longer Table Farm, Nicasio Valley Cheese Co., Point Reyes Lavender Co., Santa Rosa Seafood, Sunblaze Ranch, Stemple Creek Ranch, Toscano Family Farm,
A special thanks to our wonderful photographer Paige Green for capturing the magic of the evening.