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.
Emily Livengood, Assistant Farm Manager
Emily Livengood serves as Assistant Farm Manager at Living City Farms, where she thrives in the dynamic, hands-on environment of fieldwork. With a deep appreciation for the outdoors, Emily is most at home working among the crops and connecting with nature on a daily basis. Her background includes experience in overseeing greenhouse production at Gentlebrook Greenhouse and Farm, where she assisted with monitoring and hands on harvesting, seeding, fertilizing, and daily plant care—further strengthening her passion for agriculture and community-centered work.
Harvesting is her favorite part of the farming process, offering a sense of fulfillment and connection to the food being grown. If she were a crop, Emily identifies with sweet basil or rosemary—plants known for their calming presence and aromatic qualities, much like her own steady and grounded demeanor.
Emily views organic farming as an opportunity to provide the community with fresh, nutrient-dense food while protecting and preserving the environment. For her, Living City Farms represents both purpose and possibility—creating meaningful connections, supporting the local community, and continually learning and growing alongside others.
In addition to her agricultural experience, Emily earned certifications in Medical Billing and Medical Coding through Stark State College. Her education and experience in healthcare administration helped develop the organization, attention to detail, and communication skills she now brings into farm operations and team coordination.
She describes herself as kind, easygoing, and inquisitive. In her free time, Emily enjoys hiking, antiquing, and crafting, bringing the same creativity and curiosity to her personal life as she does to her work on the farm.
Jessica Lake, Cultivation Technician
Jessica Lake is a Cultivation Technician at Living City Farms and a lifelong resident of Cuyahoga Falls, where she lives with her three sons. Her passion for nature, wellness, and community led her to join the farm, where she enjoys being part of a team dedicated to growing healthy food and caring for the land.
In addition to her work at Living City Farms, Jessica is a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor who is passionate about helping others live healthier, more active lives. She has also spent many years fundraising for local youth sports programs and several Cuyahoga Falls City School District initiatives, while remaining actively involved in Ohio 4-H alongside her family.
Jessica finds the greatest joy in harvesting, appreciating the tangible results of the team’s hard work throughout the growing season. She is especially drawn to the rhythms of the natural world—if she were a crop, she’d be tulsi, spending her days alongside pollinators while contributing beauty and vitality to the ecosystem.
To Jessica, organic farming is rooted in stewardship: a commitment to sustainable practices that protect the land, support biodiversity, and nurture future generations. She describes her experience at Living City Farms as deeply rewarding, valuing both the strong sense of community and the opportunity to learn something new each day.
Outside of the farm, Jessica enjoys watching her children play sports, foraging, spending time with her dogs, and staying active outdoors. She brings a nurturing, energetic, and community-minded spirit to everything she does.
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.
Mandy Palmer, Cultivation Technician
Mandy Palmer serves as a Cultivation Technician at Living City Farms and is currently in her fourth growing season with the farm team. Originally from Pennsylvania, Mandy has called Akron home since attending Kent State University in 2016. Over the years, she has become a familiar and valued presence on the farm, known for her positivity, consistency, and strong connection to the land and team around her.
One of Mandy’s favorite parts of farm work is pruning tomatoes, a task she finds both calming and rewarding. She especially enjoys the satisfaction of stepping back after a long day to see a clean, beautifully trellised row and appreciates the unmistakable scent of tomato plants in the summer field. Her attention to detail and steady approach make her especially skilled in crop maintenance and daily cultivation work.
If Mandy were a crop, she says she would be a Chianti grape—so she could spend her days lounging in the sun beside a Tuscan villa. The answer reflects her playful personality, appreciation for beauty and atmosphere, and ability to bring lighthearted energy to even the busiest farm days.
Mandy deeply connects with the philosophy behind Living City Farms and the belief that every living thing plays a role in supporting healthy ecosystems and communities. To her, the farm is “a beautiful spot, with a great team of people trying to make our corner of the planet a little better than when we got here.” She values being part of a team working toward meaningful, regenerative change through local agriculture.
She describes herself as silly, sometimes a bit flighty, but always well-meaning. Her coworkers and managers, however, describe her as the “glue and the smile” of the labor team—someone who consistently brings warmth, humility, and encouragement to those around her. Beneath her lighthearted personality is a strong foundation of knowledge and intuition, particularly in native plants, gardening practices, and working in harmony with nature.
