"The Essence of Life"
"Ikigai and Creating Value for Others"
A novel dinner and talk series at 15th St Farm.
Throughout history and across cultures, food has brought people together, enriching their lives through exchanges of ideas, experiences, joys, and sorrows.
Amid today's challenges, we gather at convivial long tables for dinner to slow down, reconnect, and reflect on professional and personal contributions to our community.
"Ikigai," a Japanese word, refers to " Purpose In Life." "Adding Value to Others" refers to the species-survival requirement that has existed since life began on Earth 4.2 billion years ago.
Each evening's speaker will address a topic related to the two themes above. offering "Mind Seeds", and possibly identifying "Mind weeds" in the context of our work, passions, and aspirations.
The topic will encourage small-group discussions. Between courses, time will allow for Q&A.
In the spirit of one of the Farm's missions," To Facilitate Community Building," and as a true participatory event, guests will share the experience of setting the table, serving dishes family-style, and cleanup, as if at an informal friends' gathering.
The 3-course meals will be priced at $39.00 per person, including taxes. Those who can contribute more will help subsidize students and guests with more limited means. To secure your seat and have a voice in the discussion, please click below.
Thanks to generous donors we are offering a 50 percent discount to teachers and students. Please email tara@15thstfarm.com
This month’s speaker is Alexis Baum, who spends her time designing experiences that help people learn, connect, and discover new possibilities together.
Her work has taken her around the world, helping cities, organizations, and communities tackle complex challenges using human-centered design. One week she might be facilitating a strategy session for a city government; the next, curating a theatre experience for kids.
In late 2022, she began recording a podcast for Radio St. Pete: AB Sees You, a show built around spontaneous conversations with people she meets along the way.
What ties it all together for her is a simple belief that truly transformative learning doesn't happen in classrooms. It happens in action, in co-creation, and in conversation, even around a dinner table—when we're fully present with one another and hold a shared purpose.
Alexis loves testing her theory that simple shared experiences and memorable moments can change our minds and our paths ever so slightly. And over time, these small shifts can transform relationships, communities, and lives.
We look forward to welcoming you to 15th St Farm soon. Please share this event with interested friends.