Founding Director of Yale Center for Faith & Culture and one of the most significant theologians of our time, Dr. Miroslav Volf asks us to pause and consider: what is a life worth living? He will explore the global need for grace, forgiveness and generosity, and how the systems we depend on daily would falter without it. Volf seeks a world in which every person can wrestle with life’s most important questions and take hold of a life worthy of our humanity. Volf is the author of more than 20 books, including Exclusion & Embrace — named one of the best 100 books of the 20th century.

A writer of “rare grace,” Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer offers powerful and poetic explorations of how human beings connect with nature and one another. She weaves indigenous wisdom, science, and profound spiritual insight to reimagine our connection to the living world. Drawing from her background as a botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Kimmerer invites us to understand ecological systems with gratitude, mutual respect, and interconnectedness, allowing us to recognize the entire natural world as worthy of care.

Yo-Yo Ma will perform a recital with pianist Solon Gordon in the Sanctuary, the glass-enclosed indoor amphitheater, at Grace Farms.

Yo-Yo Ma’s multi-faceted career is testament to his belief in culture’s power to generate trust and understanding. Whether performing new or familiar works for cello, bringing communities together to explore culture’s role in society, or engaging unexpected musical forms, Yo-Yo Ma strives to foster connections that stimulate the imagination and reinforce our humanity.

Broadway Inspirational Voices returns to Grace Farms with a site-responsive program that connects us with the presence of the human voice to inspire the audience toward joy. The one-hour program features a holiday repertoire developed for Grace Farms by Connecticut native Allen René Louis, Broadway Inspirational Voices Artistic Director and GRAMMY®-nominated Creative Director and Producer.

Mon Rovîa reflects journeys of humanity through his Afro Appalachian music as a singer and songwriter, and from his own experiences moving from the Liberia during the country’s civil war to the United States. He was named as one of Spotify’s 2024 Juniper Artists to Watch, has been featured in the GRAMMY Museum’s New York City program series, and has sold out every headline show to date, including Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, and Newport Folk Festival.

Mon Rovîa will join Grace Farms to present a concert of peace and healing in a special program inspired by the United Nations International Day of Tolerance, which is November 16.

Grace Farms presents GRAMMY®-winning Canadian cellist and Grace Farms Artist-in-Residence, Arlen Hlusko. As cellist of the Bang on a Can All-Stars sextet, Arlen regularly performs with renowned ensembles, and has collaborated with artists including Jordi Savall, Midori, and David Byrne. Committed to using music to connect with and serve her community, Arlen founded Philadelphia Performance for Autism and is involved with Carnegie Hall’s “Musical Connections” at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. The program weaves old with new, and reflects a prism of light on Grace Farms’ theme, “We all build”: building on one’s roots, building a composition, and rebuilding after loss.

with Romero Lubambo

Dianne Reeves, one of the world’s preeminent jazz vocalists, will perform a program of beautiful duets alongside Brazilian jazz guitarist Romero Lubambo. Reeves, a five-time Grammy winner who has recorded with award-winning orchestras and producers, and Lubambo, who has worked with artists including Yo-Yo Ma and saxophonist James Carter — who performed at Grace Farms in 2024 — will create an unforgettable evening of artistry and improvisation, set against the picturesque backdrop of a flourishing spring landscape.

Grace Farms Foundation’s Origin Stories series kicks off with Adam Thatcher, Co-Founder and CEO of Grace Farms Tea & Coffee, sharing the journey behind this mission-driven initiative. As a Certified B Corp™, it prioritizes ethical sourcing, sustainability, and partnerships with women-owned collectives, with 100% of profits supporting the Foundation’s humanitarian work to end forced labor. Voices from the field will highlight how purpose-driven leadership creates lasting impact across industries and communities.

Nasreen Sheikh’s transformative journey from modern slavery survivor to advocate is driving change in the fight against modern slavery. As the founder of the Empowerment Collective and Local Women’s Handicrafts in Nepal, and creator of TransparaTrade, she empowers marginalized women and promotes ethical business practices across global supply chains. Discover how her work is inspiring a movement toward a world free from modern slavery.

Jennifer Stucko is the founder of Prota Fiori, a sustainable luxury shoe brand redefining fashion through innovation and responsible design. Inspired by Italy’s rich shoemaking heritage and the need for environmental change, she launched Prota Fiori to merge craftsmanship with sustainability, using upcycled materials to create elegant, eco-conscious footwear made in Italy. Stucko shares her journey of transforming the luxury fashion industry with a commitment to circularity and ethical production.

The Grace Farms Rest House Project aims to provide tea and coffee farmers worldwide with ethically designed, sustainably built rest houses that offer safety, respite, and community spaces. By leveraging open-source design principles, this initiative seeks to create globally adaptable solutions that uphold and demonstrate Design for Freedom principles.

Join Slade Architecture for a series of workshops sharing the ideas making up the Rest House structure. Nov. 8, Jan. 10 & 31, and March 26

hosted in collaboration with Architecture & Design Film Festival 

Experience a weekend of curated films and one-of-a-kind Grace Farms site experiences, delighting in the moment when one commits to an idea and begins to design and build for the benefit of humankind and the Earth. Watch stories of bold, genius dreamers who put ideas into action in the fields of architecture and design, and enjoy moments to reflect on your own journey with food and music, yoga, guided walks, and design charettes with Slade Architecture. Special thanks to New York Botanical Garden. Jan 30 & 31

accelerate the movement to design a more humane future

Our annual Design for Freedom Summit is a momentous day of action and awareness, bringing together leading experts across key sectors who are working to create a more humane future.

Since holding our first Summit at Grace Farms in 2021, we have welcomed more than 2,000 attendees — including leaders from architecture, design, construction, and manufacturing, as well as more than 75 students from 25 universities — united in the fight against forced labor in the building materials supply chain.

Food, clothing, and shelter are at the heart of a more sustainable future. Discover how three visionary leaders are transforming these industries. Enjoy lunch at Grace Farms with Amy Williams, CEO of Citizens of Humanity Group, Chelsea Thatcher, curator of the With Every Fiber exhibit; and Camilla Marcus, chef, founder of west-bourne, and author of My Regenerative Kitchen. Savor dishes from Camilla’s cookbook and take home a signed copy as we explore regenerative farming, responsible fashion, and ethical supply chains.

Discover the story behind Julie Wainwright’s groundbreaking success as the founder of The RealReal and author of Time to Get Real: How I Built a Billion-Dollar Business that Rocked the Fashion Industry. Since launching The RealReal in 2011, Julie has transformed how we buy and sell fashion, jewelry, and art, all while promoting sustainability and circularity. The afternoon will feature a conversation with Wainwright, a styling demonstration, and a curated, sustainable meal, with each guest receiving a signed copy of her book.

Celebrate World Fair Trade Day with a special pop-up lounge offering tastings of our signature teas and coffees. Enjoy complimentary small bites as you browse our marketplace showcasing ethically sourced products from skilled craftspeople and partnering responsible brands. Savor our Fairtrade-certified, sustainably sourced teas and coffees that give back 100% of profits to support Design for Freedom, a movement to end forced and child labor worldwide. Included with daily registration.

10 am – 1:30 pm

Encounter new seating in the Plaza designed by Kazuyo Sejima & Associates; ParaPosition, Grace Farms’ first permanent sculpture by acclaimed artist Alicja Kwade; a new painted portrait by Hannah Rose Thomas, PhD; a new permanent photographic work, “Haida Gwaii,” by James Florio; a special coffee and tea experience with Ibu Rahmah, chairwoman of the female-led coffee cooperative Ketiara; the next edition of the With Every Fiber exhibit

Experience classical music performed by a string sextet featuring world-renowned musicians, a conversation about natural pigments with Hannah Rose Thomas, PhD; a conversation with James Florio and architect Toshihiro Oki

Explore expansive fall vistas and the inspiring architecture and landscape of Grace Farms

2 – 4 pm

Join us for a special afternoon program in the Sanctuary as we celebrate 10 years of Grace Farms featuring:

Grace Farms CEO and Founder Sharon Prince, Chief Strategic Officer and Founding Creative Director Chelsea Thatcher, and Kazuyo Sejima of SANAA, in conversation with Toshihiro Oki

Featured performance by GRAMMY® Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell, with Peter Dugan, pianist and host of NPR’s From the Top

Cellist and Grace Farms Artist-in-Residence, Arlen Hlusko

5 – 9 pm

Reception & Handcrafted Cocktails
Join us around the Pavilion mingling with guests while enjoying breathtaking panoramic views of golden hour.

Exclusive Sunset Dining Experience
Savor an extraordinary culinary journey prepared by our world-class caterer.

Moonlight Toast in the Plaza
Gather in the Plaza for artisanal desserts and premium champagne for a toast to 10 years of Grace Farms’ legacy and vision.