Athena Koh Goldstein runs a holistic private retreat center for families up in Tiburon. Oh, and she’s still in high school.
What do you do?
I’m the co-founder of JAR Farms. My brother, Jack, manages the facilities while I own the hospitality end of the farm. I’m also the beekeeper at the farm, and I’m a senior at Redwood High School.
Where do you live?
Tiburon, just past downtown.
How long have you lived in Marin?
My whole life!
Where can we find you when you’re not at work?
You might find me thrifting at places like the Alameda Flea Market or the French Antique Market in San Rafael. You’ll also see me with my friends at Stinson Beach, the Tiburon Library and hiking Ring Mountain.
If you had to convince someone how awesome Marin is, where would you take them?
JAR Farms! After that, we’d visit Sol Food for dinner and then the Marin Headlands or Bo Ridge during sunset.
What’s one thing Marin is missing?
Korean food.
What’s one bit of advice you’d share with your fellow Marinites?
We need to learn how to care. Apathy is the real pandemic.
If you could ask anyone to join you at dinner, who would you invite?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I would ask lots of questions—-so many questions.
What’s some advice you wish you knew 20 years ago?
Well, 20 years ago, I was negative three, but I wish I had known earlier how much fun it is to give first to the community—no questions asked—and see the magic happen. We set up an honor bar at the farm last year, and dozens of cyclists go by each day, leaving us notes of appreciation for the snacks. From the donations, we were able to buy a high-quality bike repair station, which we’ll be dedicating to the community
What’s something that 20 years from now will seem cringeworthy?
Cancel culture.
Big question. What’s one thing you’d do to change the world?
I think it’s easy to feel hopeless and insignificant today. If I could, I’d convince everyone that they as one individual can do something to make a difference. My generation laments how older generations have destroyed the planet, but we’re huge consumers of fast fashion and fast furniture. If each of us made an effort to upcycle just one thing every single day, we could move the needle.
Keep Jan. 25, 2025 open: JAR Farms will host a fundraiser to showcase upcycled furniture rehabbed by local art students. Learn more at jarfarms.com.
To see what Nish Nadaraja is up to, check out @IveGotNissues on Instagram.
