On a 65-acre regenerative farm in Boulder County, something deeper than food is being grown. At Light Root Farm & Learning Center, founders Daphne Kingsley and Cameron Genter are cultivating a model that blends agriculture, education, and therapeutic wellness inviting people of all ages to reconnect with the land, their food, and themselves.
Founded as a nonprofit in 2017, Light Root Farm & Learning Center builds on a farming operation the couple established in 2014. While the farm produces pasture-raised eggs, dairy, vegetables, and medicinal herbs, its mission extends far beyond agriculture. At its heart, Light Root is about connection—connecting people to nature, to meaningful work, and to a sense of belonging.
“We saw that people didn’t just want food. They wanted a relationship to where it comes from,” Kingsley explains. “There was a real desire to touch the land, to participate, and to feel part of something.”
The foundation of Light Root Farm’s programming spans three core areas: education, therapy, and regenerative agriculture.
From youth field trips and summer camps to teen programs and adult mental health initiatives, the farm serves as both a classroom and a place of healing. Participants engage directly in farm life by planting crops, tending to animals, and preparing food. All experiences that are both educational and deeply restorative.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, this work took on even greater significance. In partnership with Boulder Community Health’s Pathways Program, Light Root Farm launched an adult mental health program offering individuals a chance to step outside, reconnect with nature, and find community during a time of isolation.
“What we found is that being on the land, working with your hands, being with animals, growing food has a profound therapeutic effect,” says Genter. “It’s grounding. It’s healing.”
Over time, Kingsley and Genter have developed language to describe what makes their approach unique: “heart-centered agriculture.” This philosophy emphasizes care, intention, and reverence in every aspect of farming.
“When people come to the farm, they can feel it,” Kingsley shares. “There’s a level of attention and love in the work. It’s not just production—it’s a relationship.”
Genter agrees, noting that the farm itself becomes a vessel for transformation. “You’re outside, you’re in the sun, you’re touching the soil. Even just being in that environment supports physical and mental health in ways we’re only beginning to understand.”
Light Root Farm continues to evolve its programming to deepen impact. This year, the organization launched a new teen farmer program, designed as a seasonal, hands-on learning experience. Unlike one-time visits, participants attend weekly sessions in a cohort model allowing them to gain practical farming skills and a full understanding of the growing cycle.
“They’re not just visiting the farm, they’re becoming part of it,” says Kingsley. “They have their own garden plots, their own responsibilities, and they see the process from start to finish.”
At the same time, Light Root is expanding its mental health offerings with a new therapeutic garden program. Participants, many coming from recovery or outpatient programs, will have a dedicated space on the farm to tend regularly, fostering both consistency and community. Each session is supported by both a farmer and a therapist, blending clinical insight with experiential, land-based care.
“The feedback we kept hearing was, ‘How can I come back?’” Kingsley explains. “So we’re creating that next step, a place where people can continue their healing journey in a supportive, nature-based environment.”
As the organization grows, so does its vision. Kingsley and Genter see Light Root Farm becoming a true “community healing hub,” serving more people while maintaining the intimacy and hands-on nature that defines the experience.
To do that, they are focused on building capacity—expanding their board, growing their team, and inviting more community members to engage as volunteers, advocates, and supporters.
“We’ve spent years building this work,” says Genter. “Now it’s about sharing it and bringing more people in to help carry it forward.”
That includes creating more structured volunteer roles, hosting community events, and expanding opportunities for people to connect with the farm beyond a single visit.
Whether it’s a teenager discovering a passion for farming, an adult finding peace in the rhythm of the land, or a family gathering for a community event, Light Root Farm & Learning Center offers something increasingly rare: a space to slow down, reconnect, and be part of something meaningful. And sometimes, it starts with simply putting your hands in the soil.
“We’re trying to bridge that gap,” Genter says. “Between people and the land, between education and wellness, between doing and being.”
To get involved or to learn more visit: lightrootfarm.org
