Exciting things are happening at Sunflower Farm in Longmont this spring, from the birth of three baby goats to an upcoming documentary highlighting the farm’s sustainable agriculture and educational programs.
On Monday, Rosie, a first-time mother goat, gave birth to triplet black-and-white kids — two boys and one girl. All are healthy and will be available for the public to interact with at Sunflower Farm’s Farmfest this Sunday, which will occur from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The baby goats will come out for “snuggles and showing” from around 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. The farm plans to keep the female for breeding and will rehome the male goats in the coming months.
Sunflower Farm is home to around 100 animals, including chickens, goats, sheep, and cows, offering hands-on experiences for children and visitors. Baby animal births are common in the spring, says Executive Director Liz Napp. Earlier this year, the farm even welcomed a surprise Valentine’s Day calf, named Cupid Valentina.
Founded in 2001, Sunflower Farm started as a small, family-run operation. Owner John Roberts — known as “Farmer John” — wanted to bring a rural farming experience to the Longmont community. Over the years, the farm expanded to include summer camps, a preschool, and weekend Farmfest events. Napp describes Roberts as a “master builder with a unique vision for creating engaging and educational experiences for children.”
Since becoming licensed for preschool and summer camps in 2018, Sunflower Farm has grown into a full-scale educational farm offering preschool, pre-kindergarten programs, after-school activities, and summer camps where children learn about agriculture through hands-on experiences like planting, harvesting, and caring for animals.
“A lot of kids don't know where their food comes from,” said Napp. “They think it comes from the fridge or the supermarket and that everything looks beautiful. The reality is that it comes from a farm, and it’s hard work to produce. Even though the veggies don't always look beautiful, they still taste wonderful. [This education] builds an understanding of how much work it takes to grow a leaf of spinach and an appreciation for the food system.”
Sunflower Farm opens to the public most weekends year-round for Farmfest, with scheduled events from March through December. Spring and winter hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., while summer hours run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Highlights include animal interactions, treehouses, sandboxes, playgrounds, and other kid-friendly activities. Admission is $18 per person, with free entry for babies under 12 months.
On May 14, the farm will host a special Farmfest event featuring the premiere of Roots, an hour-long documentary by CU Boulder student Matt Solari. Created as part of his senior thesis, the film explores regenerative farming and the challenges of running a sustainable farm. Tickets for the screening are $18. The film will be released to the public on April 25.
In addition to its regular events, Sunflower Farm hosts Farmfest Music Evenings from late May through early October, featuring live music on Wednesday and Friday nights. Local bluegrass, folk, reggae, and rock musicians perform from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., while attendees enjoy food from local vendors or bring their own picnic. Tickets are $27 per person, with free admission for children under 12 months and a discounted rate of $18 for children five and under if purchased by April.
Sunflower Farm’s production farm, Sunflower Farm Acres, sells CSA vegetable shares and pasture-raised lamb shares, available for purchase online. The farm also sells produce at the Longmont and Erie farmers markets and occasionally at the Nederland Farmers Market.
“We know there is a need for local food in our community,” Napp said. “And educating people about farming and nature is right up our alley.”
Tickets for Farmfest, Farmfest Music Evenings, and other events are available on Sunflower Farm’s website.
