AIM’S CENTER FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
A new permanent outdoor home for the Marin Farmers Market — and a Food Innovation Hub for the future.
Planting Roots for the Next 40 Years
In a historic step toward securing the future of local agriculture and Northern California’s regional foodshed, the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) and the County of Marin finalized a 40-year lease agreement on September 16, 2025 to establish the Center for Food and Agriculture (CFA).
This moment is the foundation of what we have all envisioned: a vibrant, climate-smart home for the Marin Farmers Market and a Food Innovation Hub that will serve farmers, producers, chefs, and the community for decades to come.
At A Glance
AIM’s Center for Food and Argiculture (CFA) — a visionary campus with a permanent outdoor Farmers Market and Food Innovation Hub for education, innovation, and food system growth.
❋ Where
At the Marin Civic Center campus, San Rafael, CA, on the 3.7-acre former Christmas Tree Lot. Develops the last piece of the Civic Center Campus completing Wright's original content design which included a market.
❋ When
The Lease approved September 16, 2025; construction of Phase One, the permanent Farmers Market, begins in 2026 (opening in mid-2027); Food Innovation Hub is slated to open in 2028.
❋ Why
To strengthen the regional food system, expand access to healthy food, support local farmers and producers, and create a national model for climate-smart agriculture and food innovation.
❋ How
AIM will raise funds to build the full project infrastructure infrastructure, with Phase One focusing on the permanent outdoor Farmers Market and Phase Two on the Food Innovation Hub.
Make an Impact Today
All donors will be recognized on site at the Center for Food and Agriculture, honoring their contribution to this project.
Gift
Levels
Every gift moves this project forward. Explore giving levels that strengthen our regional food system.
Leadership
Circle
A gift at the Leadership Circle is an investment in the future of California agriculture and farming.
All donors will be recognized on site at the Center for Food and Agriculture, honoring their contribution to this project.
Gift Levels
Every gift moves this project forward. Explore giving levels that strengthen our regional food system.
A gift at the Leadership Circle is an investment in the future of California agriculture and farming.
Phase One:
THE FARMERS MARKET
Designed with input from farmers who sell, chefs who source, and the community that shops, the farmers market will be built on a newly-developed 3.7-acre triangular site known as the Christmas Tree Lot on the Marin Civic Center campus by mid-2027.
Stronger Infrastructure for Vendors
Amenities for Shoppers
Space to accommodate up to 220 daily market vendor spaces, permeable pavers, raised site grade to address sea-level rise, underground utilities, power access, producer tent tie-downs, and dry, cold, and ice storage.
Permanent ADA-accessible restrooms, shade and rain protection areas, shaded seating, hydration stations, EV charging, increased chef parking and carts, WiFi, bicycle parking, digital kiosks, reusable foodware, and native landscaping.
Expanded Markets
In addition to the Thursday and Sunday Farmers Markets, a Tuesday Farmers Market with additional vendors and expanded hours will eventually be added.
Environmental Advancements
Working to achieve a zero waste goal by 2030, initial minimal waste initiatives include:
Reusable foodware and compostable packaging
Surplus food recovery and donation in partnership with local community organizations, such as ExtraFood
Food scraps and compostable product waste collection for on-site and off-site composting
Phasing out most single-use products, beginning with plastics
Transition from gas generators to electric
Phase Two:
FOOD INNOVATION HUB
Following the launch of the permanent Farmers Market, AIM will establish the Food Innovation Hub, a space dedicated to income diversification for farmers, applied agricultural education at all levels, and food systems and climate education for both students and shoppers.
Located on the Marin Civic Center campus—originally envisioned by architect Frank Lloyd Wright to include a public market—the Food Innovation Hub will feature three Usonian-style buildings totaling over 6,600 square feet. The opening is slated for 2028.
Programs
Food & Farm Business Resources
Producer training and support services, value chain coordination, and career opportunities including: diversifying sales channels and accessing new marketing outlets, farmers market expansion, an agricultural and food entrepreneur business creation and incubator program, and land access.
Year-Round Activation
Café, public plaza, community classes, food trucks, education for learners of all ages, specialty dinners, "Harvest Talk" lectures, cooking classes “Chef’s Corner”, cookbook releases, engagement with policy makers, Gather for the Planet Annual Fundraiser and more.
Facilities
Interactive Learning Spaces
Indoor-outdoor classrooms, a demonstration kitchen, children's learning gardens, conference rooms, and exhibits such as a "bug hotel" and carbon cycle installation.
Architecture & Design
Sustainability
Three Usonian-style buildings designed to complement Frank Lloyd Wright's original vision for the Civic Center campus.
Conference and meeting spaces for community gatherings
Flexible indoor-outdoor classrooms
Public café and community plaza
Climate-Smart Landscapes
Greenhouse, hydroponic towers, pollinator gardens, over 100 trees for shade and landscape, and composting stations with a goal of zero net carbon footprint.
Sustainable Design
Solar energy, water conservation, and resilient green infrastructure supporting regenerative practices.
On-site solar power generation
Rainwater harvesting systems
Native plant landscaping and pollinator habitats
Composting and waste reduction programs
Carbon sequestration demonstration areas
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The Center for Food and Agriculture supports Marin County's Economic Vitality Strategic Plan which emphasizes inclusive growth, sustainable job creation, and environmental leadership. Based on 2024 data, AIM anticipates the permanent market's impact will result in $6 million in additional annual sales, stimulating over 190 new jobs. (1)
The Hub will support emerging entrepreneurs through AIM's Food and Farm Business Resource Programs, which incubate beginning businesses at farmers markets and create agricultural career opportunities that strengthen California's regional food system.
1. Farmers Market Economic Impact, UC Davis, Local Food Economics Project, accessed September, 1 2025
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The CFA's infrastructure will be fully electric, and once the Food Innovation Hub is complete, it will be powered by on-site solar panels. Features will include rainwater harvesting, pollinator and carbon-sequestering gardens, composting systems, and zero-waste service models. Producers in AIM's network will also gain enhanced marketing support through a Regional Badge program that highlights healthy soils management, rotational grazing, and water conservation—encouraging broader adoption of regenerative and organic practices.
The CFA has been endorsed by MarinCAN as one of nine flagship projects advancing the county's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.
Fully electric infrastructure, powered by on-site solar
Pollinator and carbon-sequestering gardens and over 100 shade trees
Expanded access through CalFresh, Market Match, Rollin' Root, and food donations
A resilience hub for food distribution and community gathering in times of crisis
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The permanent Farmers Market and Food Innovation Hub will expand affordable food access through CalFresh, Market Match, and produce donations, while boosting the capacity of AIM's Rollin' Root Mobile Market with new cold storage, making healthy food more affordable and widely available. The CFA will also foster deeper community engagement with cooking demonstrations, food education, and wayfinding signage that both guides visitors and elevates programming. In times of crisis, the CFA will serve as a vital resource for food distribution and community resilience—a gathering place where community members, farmers, and advocates come together to drive policy change and advance equitable solutions.
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Under the terms of the lease, AIM will undertake significant capital improvements to develop the permanent market and related infrastructure. In exchange, the County will abate base rent for the initial 40-year term, ensuring AIM's resources are directed toward long-term community benefit.
Join us in shaping the future of the Center for Food and Agriculture
Together, we can build this future by:
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Set up easy ongoing payments or make a one-time gift to support the Center for Food and Agriculture. Donate
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Gifts for the future, gifts that pay you back, and tax-smart gifts. Click HERE for more details.
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Email List: Sign up for updates through our CFA newsletter
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Join us at our annual Gather for the Planet fundraiser (2025 is sold out — stay tuned for 2026 details).
About the Agricultural Institute of Marin
The Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) is a Bay Area-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and one of California's leading advocates for the regional foodshed. Beginning in 1983, AIM has operated certified farmers markets, educational programs, and food access initiatives that connect communities with farmers and producers.
Today, AIM operates nine certified farmers markets across the Bay Area and The Rollin' Root Mobile Market, serving two million annual market shoppers and 400+ small and midsize producers from over 40 California counties.
Our Story
AIM envisions a food and farming system that is environmentally beneficial, economically viable, and socially just—nourishing people, place, and the planet.
Capital Campaign Cabinet
Amanda Janney Owner, KM Mushroom Farm
Cameron Crisman Partner, Petit Teton Farm & CFO, Petit Teton Foundation
Jonathan Mi Managing Director, Americas at CREO
John Silva President, Always Fishing Hospitality Group Founder, President, & Chief Visionary, The Culinary Eye Inc
Kerry Tepperman Campbell Author and Educator
Lily Riesenfeld Honorary Member & Past Co-Chair Entrepreneur, Co-Creator FutureWell & Founder, Kinship
Tamara Hicks Co-Owner of Toluma Farms & Tomales Farmstead Creamery and Daily Driver
Ambassadors
Alice Waters American chef, restauratrice, activist and author; owner of Chez Panisse
Andy Fisher Project Co-Director, Institute for Social and Economic Development Solutions; Founder, American Food Systems Alliance; Author, Big Hunger
Anna Lappé Co-founder, Small Planet Institute; Executive Director, Global Alliance for the Future of Food
Anthony Myint Co-Founder of Restore California & Zero Footprint, Founder of Mission Chinese Food & the Perennial
Damon Connolly California Assemblymember for the 12th District representing Marin and Southern Sonoma Counties
Elizabeth Whitlow Executive Director, Regenerative Organic Alliance
Gibson Thomas Founder & Consulting Editor of Edible Marin and Wine Country
Heidi Thomas Kühn Founder and CEO, Roots of Peace
Jennifer Siebel Newsom First Partner of California and filmmaker
Loren and Lisa Poncia Co-owners Stemple Creek Ranch
Patty Garbarino President and CEO, Marin Sanitary Service
Paul Hawken Author, Executive Director, Project Regeneration
Paul Lightfoot General Manager, Patagonia Provisions
Senator Mike McGuire California Senator for the 2nd District representing Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino, Humboldt & Del Norte Counties
Susan and Dennis Gilardi Founder of Gilardi & Co.
Tyler Florence American chef, Food Network television host; restauranteur
Warren Weber Founder of Star Route Farms, Past President of California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), Co-founder of the Organic Farming Research Foundation
Will Rosenzweig Faculty Director of The Sustainable Food Initiative at the Center for Responsible Business at UC-Berkeley, Founding CEO of The Republic of Tea
Staff
Andy Naja-Riese Chief Executive Officer
Anna Candee Community Engagement Specialist
Cat Bohner Development Coordinator
Jasson Minadakis Director of Development
Shayla Sosa Senior Director of Marketing and External Relations
Tanya Wolf Chief Operations Officer
Project Manager
Ted Lieser Equity Community Builders
Project Advisory Team
Adriana Silva Co-Owner of Tomatero Organic Farm
Cameron Crisman Partner, Petit Teton Farm & CFO, Petit Teton Foundation
Chris Dacumos Senior Planner and Project Manager at Good City Company
Janet Brown Co-Owner All-Star Organics
Moira Kuhn Co-Owner of Marin Roots Farm
Monica Rocchino Co-Founder of The Local Butcher Shop
Peg Smith Co-Founder Cowgirl Creamery
Project Design Team
Aris Georges Founder, OM Studio Design, Co-designer Lindal Imagine Series
Chris Dorman Design Principal, Dorman Associates
Drew Norton Principal, Sherwood Design Engineers
Joe Runco Principal, SWA Group
Mike HastingsSenior Project Manager, Sherwood Design Engineers
Zach Davis Associate Principal, SWA Group
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