It was early morning on a crisp, cold, sunny Sunday in November on the 55-acre Sunflower Farm. Founder John Roberts fed wood to the crackling campfire to warm the Farmfest guests. Community members of all ages come to the sustainable farm to roam among the magical forest and farm animals.
The farm is a healing “resting place for the community,” Roberts said. You can come as a family “to mingle with others that you never would have otherwise met.” The farm creates connections and an “intertwining of community that I think is beneficial.”
Roberts earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Colorado Mesa University. He taught at a primary school in Moshi, Tanzania, Africa. While in Moshi, he observed the benefits of outdoor-based learning. “The students plant seeds in the spring. By the end of the summer, they see the benefits of their participation in the farm. “
The children spend more than half their learning time out of doors. They play with the worms in the dirt and “begin to understand where their food comes from,” Liz Napp, the executive Sunflower Farm and Sunflower Farm Acres, said.
The farm is like an outdoor living room where Roberts introduces his guests to over 100 farm animals. “When I lived in Washington D.C., I realized that spaces are important,” Roberts said. “Over the last 25 years, I’ve created spaces for visitors to experience different things,” while enjoying the farm.
In 2024, Sunflower Farm became a production farm with an educational vision to immerse children in nature, land conservation and farming. Jacob McGuire, operations manager of Sunflower Farm Acres, said the children are “getting more than just the curriculum” as they navigate the property. They are “participating in preserving nature.”
As a conservation easement, Sunflower Farm is “required through contract to preserve much of the nature that exists,” McGuire said. This means no new structures can be built on the farm, so the preschool cannot grow.
But there are other ways the farm can grow its contribution to the community. Healthy soil grows nourishing food, so Roberts is committed to working with aspiring local farmers.
We are “planning to expand educational internships focusing on regenerative farming practices,” McGuire, who has a master’s degree in international human rights from the University of Denver, said.
Roberts bought the homestead in 2002. It had a rundown farmhouse. However, Robert’s four children and their friends loved the place. Roberts, a master builder, improved the property, created the community spaces, and formed a preschool.
Roberts goal was to preserve the open space of the farm. He built winding pathways for visitors to explore a hay maze, a grain silo, and a twin-engine airplane. Guests can wander between hand-split wood enclosures where friendly goats and ponies greet everyone.
The farming and animal setting creates an “easy learning environment for kids to participate and they are eager to participate,” Roberts said. While planting pumpkin seeds, the children count and improve their “dexterity, and they’re also learning.”
Looking to the future, Roberts said, “You know, I don’t think there’s going to be another Sunflower Farm. The business model does not financially support” the preschool.
“I was raised poor, so money is not a motivating factor for me. Otherwise, I would have sold this farm years ago and retired.” Roberts said. “But I’ve made a commitment of myself to do this for the community. This is my purpose.”
Visitors are welcome at the Sunflower Farm in Longmont Colorado with reservations.
Melodie Dawn Miller 