As the tell-tale signs of spring emerge around Grace Farms’ 80 acres of meadows and woodlands, including hillsides of crocuses and the noticeable presence of wildlife, our year-round programming also takes a cue from nature. Spring launches a full schedule of programming related to experiencing nature, encouraging the arts, fostering community, pursing justice, exploring faith, and advancing Design for Freedom, a movement to removed forced labor from the built environment. Admission to our public space is free and we are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm, and Sundays, 12 – 5 pm. We are closed on Mondays. Feature photo by Julian Jarry.
Below are highlights of the upcoming spring season.
Featured programing
March is Women’s History Month! Our annual Making Space for Women programming series honors the integral role women play in equitable communities and the workplace, highlights progress made towards gender equity, and showcases voices of leading women who fearlessly push ahead towards innovation.
Band of Sisters Friday, March 3 | 7:30 – 8:30 pm
March kicks off with The Band of Sisters, a group of six executive-level women and authors of You Should Smile More: How to Dismantle Gender Bias in the Workplace. With operating experience across over 20 industries, the group offers unparalleled insight into dismantling gender bias and building inclusive corporate culture. Hosted by Grace Farms Program Officer Karen Kariuki. You Should Smile More will be available for purchase in partnership with Elm Street Books.
$15 | member: $12
Madam President: Women Leaders in Higher Education Thursday, March 9 | 7:30 – 9 pm
Hear from visionary leaders in higher education whose transformational leadership, guiding everything from admissions to athletics to the evolution of physical space on campus, is moving education systems forward. The night features Sian Leah Beilock, president-elect of Dartmouth; Helene Gayle, MD, President of Spelman College; and Laura Sparks, President of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, in conversation about how filling roles not traditionally held by women can shape the future of education for everyone. This panel will be moderated by Grace Farms CEO Sharon Prince and followed by an audience Q&A. Students 14 and up are welcome to attend for free.
Design for Freedom Summit, Tuesday, March 30 | 10 am – 6 pm
“All good revolutions begin like this,” said Prince Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein, President and CEO of the International Peace Institute, and the former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, during his keynote at last year’s summit.
Our second annual Summit builds on the powerful momentum created last year, where 300 forward-thinking industry leaders committed to accelerating the movement towards an ethical and sustainable global materials supply chain. Hear from a diverse group of professionals representing the full ecosystem of the built environment, from architecture to interior design and manufacturing, policy makers, builders, engineers, owners and developers, as well as engaged community members, artist, activists and not-for-profits that are committed to a more humane future. Enjoy breakfast and lunch, cocktail hour, and ample networking opportunities, as well as an agenda designed to inspire collective action alongside leaders and partners in the Design for Freedom Movement.
Please visit our website to register, find travel information, and view the full agenda. AIA CES accreditation pending early bird price: $100 (ends February 1st)
$150 | Grace Farms member: $120 | student: $50
grace farms landscapes forum 2023
Save the Date: Wednesday, May 10
”It is not the Earth that needs fixing, it is our relationship to it,” said Karenna Gore, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Earth Ethics, during her keynote at this past year’s forum. Our second annual forum focuses on creating biodiversity-positive, nature-based solutions in the landscape, and installing these landscapes with sustainable materials free of forced labor. U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo will open this forum, as we build on the important conversation we started in 2021, about the ethical role of landscape architecture and landscape design alongside Edwina von Gal, Founder of the Perfect Earth Project, as well as the Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
March & April Events
Garden to Kitchen Cooking Classes | March 1, 6 – 8:30 pm
Harness hearty seasonal flavors during this immersive garden-to-kitchen cooking experience led by our Director of Culinary Operations and Chef Neena Perez. We supply all the tasty ingredients, nourishing recipes, and cooking tools.
This class is for ages 18+
$50 | member: $40
Journey into the World of Tea | Tea 101 Saturday, March 11 | 3 – 5 pm
The first of this six-part series immerses guests in the world of tea with samplings of varieties from across the globe that highlight the differences between white, green, oolong, black, Pu-erh, and other major tea categories.
$15 | member: $12
Nature Talks with The Nature Conservancy | Oceans, Our Global Watchdog, Thursday, March 16 | 10:30 am – 12 pm
The Nature Conservancy’s annual Nature Talks series comes to Grace Farms! Hear from Dr. Sylvia Earle, marine biologist, oceanographer, president and chairman of Mission Blue, and National Geographic Explorer at Large; Dr. Elizabeth McLeod, Global Reef Systems Lead at The Nature Conservancy; Dr. Tiara Moore, Black in Marine Science Program Lead at The Nature Conservancy, and more! This panel is hosted in partnership with The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut, whose mission is to conserve the land and waters on which all life depends. This panel will be livestreamed.
free
Meaningful Tastings | Tea Flight Thursdays | 3 – 4 pm, March 16, April 20
Experience teas from around the world with tea expert Frank Kwei and Grace Farms Foods’ Co-Founder Adam Thatcher during this interactive tasting that celebrates the impact of sustainably and ethically-sourced tea.
$15 | member: $12
Meaningful Tastings | Coffee Flight Fridays | 1 – 2 pm March 24, April 28
Discover different coffee varietals in an interactive tasting led by Grace Farms Foods Co-Founder Adam Thatcher and tea expert Frank Kwei that celebrates the impact of sustainably and ethically-sourced coffee.
$15 | member: $12
Introduction to the River Retreat Saturdays | March 25, Saturday, 2:30 – 3 pm
The Faith Initiative’s Katie Grosh introduces this self-guided exploration of the River building, and how it can inspire insights about your priorities, relationships, and visions of a life worth of our shared humanity. River Retreat guide booklets are included.
$5 | member: free
