The Hongik Eco Farm story begins with founder/board member Younglim Lee, who grew up in Korea during a time of severe political oppression and a robust pro-democracy movement, events that greatly influenced her.  Moving eventually to the USA, she embarked on an academic career, earning a Ph.D. from Yale University along the way. 

But it was the illness of her son that profoundly changed her.  The challenge of nurturing him back to health led to depression and questions about the true purpose of life. It was during her search for answers that she reconnected with “Hongik”, the ancient practice of her homeland, and the realization that the ultimate and lasting healing comes from the transformation of a whole person.  While working at a community farm, she thought more could be done to serve the community and launched a program to serve local food banks. 

With the experience of having a proven, working model for regenerative community farming, Younglim was eager to launch her own concept.  Covid had exposed many of society’s vulnerabilities, encouraging her to believe that now was the time to launch the Hongik Eco Farm. “I dream of a world where we can learn to love and respect ourselves and nature.  Watching the devastation this great country was experiencing through the Covid-19 pandemic convinced me that a society is as strong as its weakest link, and if we want our world to be changed, we must live that change first.” 

Dr. Deborah Galen, MD, has dedicated the better part of her lifetime to enhancing individuals’ well-being by seamlessly blending conventional Western medicine with integrative mind-body techniques. While she has since transitioned from her active clinical practice into retirement, her passion for fostering holistic health remains vibrant. Presently, Dr. Galen channels her expertise into imparting the wisdom of yoga, Qi Gong, and meditation.

Her unwavering commitment to advancing integrative proactive health strategies underscores her profound understanding of the intrinsic connection between the mind and body in the realm of well-being. Dr. Galen’s outlook extends to community enrichment and sustainable living, a testament to her enduring dedication. Her genuine enthusiasm for endorsing the HongIk Eco Farm Project showcases her unyielding support for initiatives that harmonize with her values.

With a legacy built upon healing and transformation, Dr. Deborah Galen continues to inspire through her teachings, embodying a harmonious blend of medical expertise, holistic insight, and community-driven advocacy.

Silvana’s interest in Hongik Eco Farm was partially inspired by a transformational experience she had with a Blackfoot Native American. “That interaction opened new insights about the world around me, and our relationship to it”, adds Silvana, “Hongik Eco Farm is both a vehicle to begin restoring the soil to its healthy state and a platform to teach our communities how to live in coexistence. It is a place whose goal is to produce fresh healthy food that benefits both those working on the farm and those in need.  This farm is much more than just food; it’s a healing farm, for our children, families, and communities.” 

Laurie came to Eco Farm as a result of facing the demands of being a successful Fortune 100 executive. When faced with several life-altering illnesses, she knew the trajectory of her life needed to change, including a departure from the corporate world and a new focus on her health and well-being.  “Gifts from earth sustained my life” shares Laurie.  “And now I want to share this knowledge with others.  The Hongik Eco Farm approach teaches people to grow food in responsible, sustainable ways while also nurturing love and gratitude both for the land and for each other.  

Eric Carlberg knows that cultivating vegetables can cultivate community. As Farm Manager at HongIK Eco Farm, he brings years of ecological farming experience to a project dedicated to healing land and fostering connection. Eric manages gardens, mentors volunteers and future growers, and helps create welcoming farm spaces where people can gather, learn, and reconnect with the soil. His leadership reflects his core belief that healthy land and healthy relationships grow together.

Prior to his work at HongIK, Eric served as Program Director and Garden Coordinator at the Westosha Senior Community Center, where he helped reshape the center’s one-acre garden into a vibrant, community-centered space. Through improved systems, cover crops, and thoughtful volunteer support, the garden evolved into a program that offered seniors purposeful engagement, nourishing food, and a sense of belonging. Earlier, as Educational Director at the Liberty Prairie Foundation, he led immersive farm-based youth programs that combined sustainable agriculture with leadership development, creating opportunities for teens from diverse backgrounds to explore their strengths, grow in confidence, and experience the grounding rhythms of farm life.

Eric’s commitment to land, food, and community is rooted in a wide-ranging career that includes organic farming, nonprofit leadership, social justice ministry, and community mental health. He holds an M.A. in Religious Studies from Chicago Theological Seminary, where he focused on eco-justice and how subsistence farming shaped religion in Ancient Israel. Whether supporting volunteers, partnering with immigrant growers, or guiding youth and adults into deeper relationship with the land, Eric continues to cultivate what he values most: resilience, connection, and the shared flourishing that comes from growing food together.