Meet The Team
Our team is rooted in a shared purpose: to care for the land and cultivate something meaningful together. Bringing diverse skills and a deep respect for nature, we work side by side to steward our small farm with intention and integrity. From planting and harvesting to nurturing the soil and each other, we are committed to producing fresh, organic food that reflects our values. United by a passion for sustainability and community, we grow not only crops, but a way of life grounded in connection, responsibility, and the common good.
People with Passion
Liz Falkenstein, General Manager
Liz Falkenstein holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology, Earth Science and serves as the General Manager of Living City Farms, where she brings a unique perspective as a scientist-turned-farmer. She applies scientific rigor alongside creativity and intuition to build a farm that is both highly productive and deeply educational. She oversees all aspects of farm operations managing a diverse system that includes vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, and perennial crops. Her work is centered on developing regenerative, closed-loop systems—integrating agroforestry, aquaponics, black soldier fly cultivation for nutrient cycling and waste reduction, and the use of beneficial insects to support natural pest management. Through these interconnected systems, she is building a resilient, living ecosystem that maximizes productivity within a small but intensively managed footprint.
Liz began her agricultural career in 2016, she has held director, managerial, and advisory level roles in farms in Ohio, Colorado, Michigan, and Hawai’i. She was especially influenced by her time managing a closed-loop organic farm in Maui. That experience shaped her commitment to growing food in balance with the environment and continues to inspire her work today. She is deeply passionate about food security, ecological stewardship, and demonstrating what is possible through intentional, small-scale farming. Liz plays a key role in connecting the community to their food. Through CSA programs, wholesale partnerships, and educational outreach, she shares not just what is grown, but the story and science behind it.
If she were a crop, Liz would identify with a pawpaw (or its cousin, the soursop!)—a native, resilient, and often overlooked fruit that thrives in rich, interconnected systems. Much like her approach to farming, it reflects a commitment to depth, intention, and building something meaningful beyond the surface. Outside of the farm, Liz enjoys reading and continuously learning, sharing her passions with her son, a good game of chess, and traveling to learn from different cultures and agricultural traditions.
Jake Falkenstein, Maintenance Manager & Mycology Specialist
Jake Falkenstein combines technical skill, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for the natural world to help keep the farm operating smoothly and efficiently. A graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science degree, Jake brings a practical, solutions-oriented mindset to every aspect of the farm. Known affectionately as the “Mr. Fix-It” of Living City Farms, he plays an essential role in troubleshooting systems, and supporting the many moving parts that make a regenerative farm function day to day.
Jake’s work spans beyond maintenance alone. With a strong passion for mycology, he helps oversee mushroom cultivation while also contributing across nearly every area of farm operations. He believes that small organic farms represent both the future and the freedom of humanity, and he is deeply inspired by the opportunity to work in partnership with nature every day.
He describes himself as skillful, joyful, and meticulous—If he were a crop, Jake would identify with the sweet potato: dependable, adaptable, and highly versatile. Much like the crop itself, he fills many roles across the farm, grounding operations with consistency while supporting growth in countless ways behind the scenes.
Outside of the farm, Jake enjoys fishing, swimming, spending time outdoors, and going on adventures with his family.
