About Living City Farms
Living City Farms is a small no-till farm in Northeast Ohio that uses agro-ecological and permaculture-inspired practices to care for the land and our community. We got our start by growing produce for the Akron-based vegan restaurant Ms. Julie’s Kitchen and now offer our harvest publicly from Summit Lake (Akron) and Tallmadge locations. Living City Farms currently grows vegetables—everything from kale and lettuce to tomatoes and peppers—and has plans to add perennial fruit like elderberries and pawpaws very soon.
Regenerative farming practices
Living City Farms grows local fresh produce regeneratively using methods that heal the land, soils, natural cycles, and our ecosystems. This includes no-till and permaculture farming principles, such as growing vegetables between rows of young fruit trees to make good use of our small acreage and ensure nutrient-rich food for our local community.
Meet our farm team:
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STEVE LARSON Steve Larson (he/him) grew into this role by merging a lifelong connection with nature and his desire to work in a field that's of service and in alignment with his spiritual ideals. He uses his background with the Spanish language to pursue his interest in indigenous corn systems throughout the Americas. Steve considers himself an ongoing student who is always learning more about agriculture. Volunteering and working on local farms, seeking out mentors who are pushing the boundaries of our understanding of plant and soil health, and applying what is learned at Living City Farms have all been key to Steve's development as a farmer. He is inspired by his community, Nature herself, and a growing movement toward regenerative practices that acknowledge the past and current contexts within our agricultural system. Steve loves learning to cook locally grown meals--especially tortillas!--with his fiancé Kelly and spending time with his cats, family, and friends. |
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FARMER RICH JOHNSON Farmer Rich Johnson was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. The land, community, and experiences he encountered here have inspired him to dive deep into farming and agriculture. Over the past 14 years, he’s studied and practiced aquaponics, permaculture, hydroponics, mushroom growing, microgreen production, medicinal herbs, and much more. Before he joined Living City Farms in the spring of 2022, he spent several years working at a local non-profit farm in Summit Lake (the same Akron neighborhood as our urban farm, too!). Farmer Rich has also worked with the Summit County Public Health Department in their Creating Healthy Communities Initiative. Through this program, he installed several gardens on the west side of Akron, while also teaching and growing meaningful relationships with community members. Farmer Rich feels grateful and blessed to be part of the Living City Farms team, and looks forward to all the growth, creativity, and learning ahead! |
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EM EVANS Em Evans (they/them) has had a passion for nature ever since they were a child growing up in Southeast Ohio. While at college, they studied sustainable community development and were active in community organizing for food justice. After graduating Em managed volunteers at an urban farm, then relocated to northeast Ohio where they served as LCF's assistant farm manager for several years. Em has seen first-hand that working with the land can be incredibly healing. They are currently working part-time at the farm as they pursue a Master of Social Work degree. They hope to eventually combine their passions for nature and interpersonal healing by opening a therapeutic farm or eco-therapy clinic. When not farming, you can find Em reading, doing creative projects, or walking along Lake Erie with their loved ones and beloved dog Annie Peach |
A Good Place Holdings organization
Living City Farms is owned and supported by Good Place Holdings, a purpose-driven holding company that values people, community, and creation. This unique relationship allows the farm to benefit from the business mentorship and resources of Good Place Holdings while focusing the farm team's energy on the work and ongoing study of regenerative farming. Learn more about Good Place Holdings.