Self-Care-Themed Evening Celebrates Farmers
& the Future of Vizcaya Village
MIAMI – March 27, 2024 – In an elegant tribute to the pillars of our community, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, in collaboration with Edible South Florida and Urban Oasis Project, proudly reinstated the cherished Dinner for Farmers. This distinctive event, celebrated at the historic Vizcaya Village on the evening of March 21, commemorates the tireless efforts of local farmers in nourishing our communities.
Nestled within James Deering’s winter estate, Vizcaya Village is a sanctuary of heritage, covered by majestic banyan trees and home to 11 architecturally significant buildings across 12 acres. Reflecting on its rich history during the 1910s and 1920s, the Village once thrived with laborers and staff who cultivated a genuine farm-to-table existence. This year’s event offered attendees an exclusive preview of the future restoration initiatives for Vizcaya Village, providing an opportunity to share their visions and appreciation for the agricultural legacy of South Florida.
In alignment with Vizcaya’s agricultural roots, the event assembled over 100 attendees, including farmers and representatives from agricultural organizations. They gathered to enjoy a dinner prepared from produce generously donated by local farms, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
The evening showcased sustainable practices, including a highlight on beekeeping by Comb Cutters, who presented an observation hive to underscore the crucial role of pollinators in agriculture. This interactive experience emphasized the importance of bees in maintaining the health and productivity of farm ecosystems.
The event spotlighted contributions from French Farm, Paradise Farm, Atlantic Sapphire, Regener8 Farm, Pine Island Farm, and several others, whose produce was transformed into exquisite dishes by chefs Marisol Osorio and Cliff Hypolite from Feeding South Florida. The evening also highlighted the skilled creations of talented local chefs, such as Thi Squire, Noel Fiallo and Chris Wolan from Grow2Heal at Baptist Health, Chef Melanie Stewart, Radhika Chouhan of Related Recipes, Chef Cesar and Carla Wayra Roots. Special thanks also go out to Isamar Leal, FEI culinary school director, and her students.
Desserts were artfully prepared by Zak the Baker, Carola’s Granola and Gypsy Farms, highlighting local ingredients. The evening was complemented with handcrafted cocktails by Gabe Urrutia and Brugal 1888 Rum, and the captivating melodies of Isaiah Ampuero.
The ambiance was perfected by Anthology Floristry & Event Design, Simple Rustic, and the hands of students from Florida Education Institute and Miami Dade College Culinary Institute, under the guidance of Cristina De Armas-Johnston.
This year’s gathering placed a special focus on the well-being of our land stewards, featuring activities like intention setting at a gratitude tree, herbal tea blends by Damita Polanco of Growingup50 and Seeds Healing, and massages by Tender Touch for All. These elements woven together created a nurturing environment for farmers and allies to recharge and reaffirm their commitment to health, wellness, and sustainability.
For more information about Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and to explore our farm-to-table community and family programs, please visit www.vizcaya.org. To experience other farm-to-table community and family programs at Vizcaya, visit www.vizcaya.org/events.
PHOTOS: Courtesy of Keyla Dominguez
ABOUT VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a National Historic Landmark that preserves its cultural and environmental resources to engage people in connecting with the past, understanding the present and shaping the future. Built between 1914 and 1922 as the winter home of farming manufacturer James Deering, Vizcaya is one of the most intact remaining examples from this era in the United States, when the nation’s most successful entrepreneur-built estates were inspired by the stately homes of Europe. Vizcaya features a Main House filled with a decorative art collection, 10 acres of formal gardens, a rockland hammock (native forest), mangrove shore, and a historic village that is being restored to tell Vizcaya’s full story and provide additional spaces for programs and community outreach, including those on agriculture. Vizcaya has been a community hub since it opened to the public in 1953; it welcomes 300,000 visitors annually.
Located on Biscayne Bay at 3251 South Miami Avenue, Vizcaya is open Wednesday through Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Tuesdays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For more information, visit www.vizcaya.org, connect via social media, or call 305-250-9133.
ABOUT VIZCAYA VILLAGE
Vizcaya Village is a natural extension of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, located across South Miami Avenue from the Main House and gardens. The historic Village was part of the original 1916 estate, and consisted of more than a dozen buildings with the intent of making Vizcaya virtually self-sufficient. This idea evoked the spirit of European estates of the Renaissance era while, on a practical level, compensating for the limited services and merchandise available in early twentieth-century Miami. The Village included staff quarters, an automobile garage, workshops and an array of barns.
Today, 100 years later, the plans for Vizcaya Village outline a strategic approach to improving upon Vizcaya and telling its full history by restoring land and historic buildings, with the goal of bringing together locals and visitors through expanded green spaces, new venues and community engagement programs. The vision for the Village includes a visitor center, classrooms, urban gardens, greenhouses and shade houses, green space and restoration of remaining original buildings for walking tours and additional operational space.
