On February 27, 2025, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, in partnership with Florida Organic Growers (FOG), hosted the 2025 Dinner for Farmers at the historic Vizcaya Village. The event brought together farmers, chefs, educators, and other key players in South Florida’s local food movement for an evening dedicated to honoring their contributions to urban agriculture and sustainability.
Dinner for Farmers is more than just a meal. It is a celebration of the people who cultivate, distribute, and prepare locally grown food, ensuring that fresh, sustainable ingredients remain accessible to the Miami community. Held in the heart of Vizcaya Village—a space historically rooted in agriculture—the event paid tribute to Miami’s agricultural heritage while looking ahead to the future of sustainable food systems.
“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.”
Honoring Leaders in Local Food and Farming
A highlight of the evening was the recognition of individuals and organizations making a significant impact in Miami’s urban agriculture movement. Awards were presented in several categories, celebrating excellence in sustainable farming, food advocacy, and farm-to-table culinary innovation.
“Events like these are a great way for us to connect as a community, said Kirsten Hartburg of Fruits n’ Cahoots.
“We are very distracted in our culture right now, and this is a place to slow down and connect—look each other in the eye, remember what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and that we’re doing it together.”
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.
As the evening’s speeches and presentation progressed, a common theme emerged: the importance of collaboration. Farmers, chefs, and food advocates must work together to build resilient local food networks that benefit both the environment and the community.
“I love this space… it’s kind of the history and roots of farming in the area and I think its a treat to be able to be here,” said Thais Thiesen, General Manager at Regener8 Farm and Retreat. “[Events like these] are very important to bring the community together, to make connections to people.”
A Farm-to-Table Experience Showcasing Local Ingredients
The evening featured a progressive farm-to-table dining experience, where chefs crafted dishes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The menu reflected Miami’s diverse culinary landscape, blending flavors from different cultural traditions while highlighting the best of Florida’s seasonal produce.
Guests had the opportunity to engage directly with the farmers, ranchers and chefs who provided the ingredients for the evening’s meal. This connection between producers and consumers reinforced the importance of supporting local food systems and the role they play in creating a more sustainable future.
Beyond the dining experience, the event included live music and thoughtful discussions on the future of urban agriculture in Miami.
Building a Sustainable Future for Miami’s Urban Agriculture
As Miami continues to grow, so does the need for innovative solutions in urban farming and food sustainability. Events like Dinner for Farmers serve as a catalyst for deeper conversations about how to support small-scale farmers, increase access to fresh produce, and educate the public about the benefits of local food systems.
“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.”
Vizcaya remains committed to fostering these conversations and supporting Miami’s urban agriculture movement. The Vizcaya Village Farmers Market, which takes place every Sunday, offers a platform for local farmers and artisans to connect with the community. The museum’s broader sustainability initiatives also aim to preserve Miami’s agricultural history while encouraging modern approaches to food production.
For those who want to get involved, there are many ways to support Miami’s local food movement. Shopping at farmers markets, dining at farm-to-table restaurants, joining community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and advocating for policies that promote sustainable farming all contribute to a stronger, healthier food system.
As this year’s Dinner for Farmers came to a close, the message was clear: Miami’s local food community is thriving, but continued collaboration and support are essential. By recognizing and celebrating the individuals who drive South Florida’s agricultural landscape forward, the event reinforced the importance of sustainability, community, and innovation in the future of food.
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 extend their gratitude to 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 refreshing beverages were provided by Angry Booch and Radiate. 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.
Join Us Next Year
Dinner for Farmers is a phenomenal effort that results from many hands coming together towards a common goal—building community among South Florida farmers.
If your farm is interested in participating in the annual Dinner for Farmers event, please sign up using the form below.
The form is designed to gather expressions of interest from farms looking to sponsoring a future Dinner for Farmers event, bringing together farmers and agricultural community leaders for an evening of appreciation and networking.
We invite you to join FOG’s Florida Local Food Project, which is welcoming new members into its growing network of over 130 key local food leaders from across the state.
Keep the momentum going by staying connected, collaborating, and engaging with this vibrant community dedicated to strengthening Florida’s local food movement online.
Local food actors come together for the 2025 Dinner for Farmers.
