Dakota-Rae has been involved in the local food community since moving to the Front Range in 2009. She began volunteering as an environmental educator in college and went on to teach youth, teens, and adults about the benefits of gardening and eating local, fresh produce. Her passion for food led her to opportunities in the local food start-up community where she worked to connect people with how their food is made and the farmers who grow it. Working with Growing Gardens, she returns to her passion for teaching, growing food, and building community.