A Night of Community, Cuisine, and Connection at Vizcaya Village
MIAMI – On the evening of February 27, 2025, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, in collaboration with Florida Organic Growers and Consumers (FOG), hosted the 2025 Dinner for Farmers at the historic Vizcaya Village. This invitation-only event honored South Florida’s farmers, ranchers, chefs, educators, and key food actors who are at the heart of the region’s local food movement.
Bringing together over 200 industry leaders, the evening celebrated sustainability, innovation, and the vital role of agriculture in Miami’s food ecosystem. Guests indulged in a progressive farm-to-table dinner, featuring dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients, prepared by some of Florida’s top culinary talents.
Honoring Excellence in Agriculture
As part of the evening’s festivities, Lions Farm was honored with an award for making the most significant positive impact on the environment and community in South Florida through innovative and sustainable agricultural practices.
“Dinner for Farmers is more than just a meal—it’s a tribute to those who dedicate their lives to nourishing our community,” said Sheila Gutierrez, Vizcaya’s Urban Farming Programs Manager. “By gathering these incredible individuals, we continue to strengthen the network of farmers, chefs, and food advocates who make Miami’s local food scene thrive.”
A Night to Remember
Attendees enjoyed live music, interactive food tastings, and thought-provoking discussions led by agricultural leaders and sustainability advocates.
Joel Hoffman, CEO of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, and Kathy Anderson, Event Coordinator with Florida Organic Growers (FOG), delivered the welcome address at the event. Kathy Anderson emphasized the significance of such gatherings, stating:
“Gatherings like this allow us to strengthen our community, share knowledge, and build a brighter future together. The impact of our collective efforts through the Florida Local Food Project extends far beyond tonight. By working together, we are fostering a resilient and thriving community that values health, sustainability, and local agriculture. Each of you plays a vital role in this mission, and your contributions ensure that our communities continue to grow and prosper.”
Lucrece Louisdhon-Louinis of Dance-A-Story Inc and Louines Louinis Haitian Dance Theater, Inc, a Cultural Arts Administrator, Storyteller, and Dancer, provided the opening narration before dinner. She spoke about the agricultural history of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and highlighted the chefs and their menu through interactive storytelling.
Art Friedrich of Urban Oasis Project addressed eventgoers about land access challenges and shared his hopes for the future of Miami’s local food production. He also introduced the upcoming Farmer Training Project, The Commons.
“FOG is proud to support this initiative,” said Lana Chehabeddine, FOG Assistant Programs Manager. “By fostering connections between local food actors, we are laying the foundation for a more sustainable and resilient food system in Florida.”
Dinner for Farmers continues to uphold Vizcaya’s legacy as a hub for community engagement, sustainability, and urban agriculture, connecting Miami’s food leaders with resources and opportunities to grow and thrive.
Acknowledging Our Partners and Sponsors
The success of the 2025 Dinner for Farmers was made possible through the generous support of our partners and sponsors, whose contributions helped create a memorable evening celebrating Miami’s agricultural and culinary community.
Vizcaya and Florida Organic Growers thank Urban Oasis Project and The Garden Network for aggregating and delivering the fresh produce and finished products that made this farm-to-table experience possible.
The evening was thoughtfully coordinated by Sheila Gutierrez (Vizcaya Museum and Gardens), Kathy Anderson (Florida Organic Growers), Art Friedrich (Urban Oasis Project), and Gretchen Schmidt (edible South Florida), whose dedication and expertise ensured a seamless event.
A curated menu of locally sourced dishes was brought to life by Dade County Food Group, Feeding South Florida, Related Recipes, and Zak the Baker, while Angry Booch and Radiate provided refreshing beverages. The event also featured appetizers from Grow2Heal Community Garden, Paradise Farms, and Wayra Roots along with ingredients sourced from Alderman Farm, Arrowhead Farms, Atlantic Sapphire Farm, C & B Farm, French Farm, Gratitude Garden Farms, Lion Fruit Farms, Organic Aqua Fresh, Paradise Farms, Pine Island Farm, Regener8 Farm, and Tiny Farm.
Enhancing the evening’s ambiance, Veronica Cicero with Anthology Floristry provided stunning floral arrangements, while Simple Rustic, Mi Vintage Rentals and Event Outfitters supplied elegant furniture and event essentials. A specially curated agriculture video montage by Gretchen Schmidt (edible South Florida) offered insight into Miami’s thriving food movement, and guests captured the moment at the photo booth hosted by Martina Gonzalez.
In alignment with the event’s commitment to sustainability, Food Rescue US South Florida and Compost for Life played a vital role in ensuring responsible food recovery and composting efforts, reinforcing a zero-waste approach.
The event also featured engaging networking experiences facilitated by WeMetinMiami and artist Elise Fernandez, along with a captivating narration by Lucrece Louisdhon-Louinis, who brought the evening’s storytelling to life. Guests enjoyed a live performance by Tina and the Trees, adding a vibrant musical backdrop to the celebration.
Additional thanks go to Marti’s Garden, Aloha Shakti, and Going Bananas, whose dedication to sustainable farming and community agriculture further enriched the event.
Looking Ahead
With the success of this year’s event, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and Florida Organic Growers look forward to expanding future programming, strengthening relationships among farmers, chefs, and food advocates, and continuing the tradition of celebrating Miami’s agricultural community.
For more information on upcoming programs and activities in Vizcaya Vilage, visit this page.
About Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a National Historic Landmark in Miami, originally built between 1914 and 1922 as the winter estate of James Deering. Open as a public museum since 1953, this European-inspired estate welcomes 300,000 visitors annually and includes a Main House filled with decorative arts,10 acres of formal gardens, native forests, and mangrove shores.
On the west side of the property, the historic Vizcaya Village, which offers a Sunday farmers market and new Village Café, is being restored to support new community programs, including urban agriculture.
Located at 3251 South Miami Avenue (with the Village across the street at 3250 South Miami Avenue), Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is open daily, except Tuesdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For more information, visit www.vizcaya.org.
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