Liz

The COVID-19 pandemic hit a lot of businesses hard—but not Longmont’s Sunflower Farm. It thrived.

“We were one of the first camps to open up in June 2020 because we have outdoor-based programming,” says Liz, the farm’s executive director. “Everyone wanted to be here . . . because people still wanted their kids to be with other kids, and they wanted them to be in nature.”

Twenty years ago, Liz and her husband moved from Germany to Colorado. Their three kids were born and raised here; all attended Sunflower’s preschool program. Liz never wants to live anywhere else.

“We don’t have any additional family outside of our own unit, but we’ve built a lot of ‘framily’—friends, family, and a lot of other transplants that moved here. And I think the farm is now also my community. It’s my job, and it encompasses all areas of my life.”

Liz describes the farm’s owner, John Roberts, as a “master builder.” In the early 2000s, he and his ex-wife, Bren Frisch, began transforming the old homestead property into a full-fledged educational farm, and in 2018, it became a licensed preschool. She joined the team then.

Now, she sees her role as continuing Robert’s wonderful work for the community: “I’m here to kind of help him live the legacy out.”

On top of its school department, Sunflower Farm hosts summer camps, Farmfests (animal interactions, hay bales, playgrounds, marshmallow roasts, etc.), and Farmfest Music Evenings, which include regular Farmfest activities plus performances by local musicians. 

For Liz, the best part of the job is creating a space where neighbors come together to support each other.

“I get jazzed by community building. Here, I’m able to bring people together, not just to have fun, but for a cause. . . . We bring in local bluegrass musicians and bring in food trucks. We often have fundraisers during Farmfest. We’re bringing in all these different local businesses and local musicians and creating community around that—as well as helping each other out.”

Of course, Liz also loves the “nature” of it all—caring for over 100 animals, rejuvenating the land’s soil, running flower workshops, and educating kids outdoors.

“We want kids outside in nature. We follow the book Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv—it’s about the loss of nature and the influx of technology in children’s lives and how that’s not good for them. And they need it. They need to be outside. Adults need to be outside. It’s just so healing on so many levels.”