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

At Gather for the Planet, we are going to present our fourth annual Climate Action Champion Award to a farmer, rancher, fisher, food purveyor, or artisan who has developed innovative and replicable solutions to address the climate crisis through agriculture, food production, or craftsmanship.

Please nominate an individual, couple, or business partners you believe are doing critical climate-beneficial work in California. You may submit up to three nominees, including yourself. Each nomination requires a submission of the form. Nominations must be submitted by August 29th, 2025, 5 PM PDT.

The chosen awardee will receive two tickets to AIM's Event on October 4th, and will be invited onstage to accept their award.

The Climate Action Champion Award will recognize a local producer or artisan who is demonstrating climate action through one or more of the following nine criteria:

1) Climate-Friendly Agricultural Practices

• Organic and regenerative agricultural practices
• Honoring traditional ecological knowledge and native land management practices
• Building and maintaining healthy soils
• Managing water wisely
• Minimizing air, water, and climate pollution
• Promoting biodiversity
• Values fair treatment of people, animals, and the planet

2) Renewable Energy

• On-farm renewable energy, tools, or equipment powered by solar, wind, or water

3) Green Transportation

• Electric or zero emission tractors or vehicles

4) Energy Efficiency in Infrastructure

• Efficiency improvements (e.g., using less energy between 4 and 9pm), and/or replacing all gas appliances with electric

5) Reducing Food Waste

• Reducing food waste by donating excess food or composting

6) Reusable Foodware and Packaging

• Replacing single-use disposable foodware with reusable systems
• Replacing limited-life packaging in manufacturing, transportation, or distribution, such as boxes and pallets with reusable alternatives

7) Upcycling

• Transforming ingredients that would have been wasted into products

8) Environmental Justice

• Reducing or preventing impact from agriculture and food production among workers and nearby communities, especially low-income Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities

9) Sustainable Arts and Design

• Craftsmanship, design, and arts that use accessible and natural materials, or that inspire social awareness on pressing issues