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At CU Denver, education doesn’t stop at the classroom door—it stretches into the fields, creeks, and communities of Colorado. For Ruben Viramontez Anguiano, PhD, professor in the Human Development and Family Relations (HDFR) program, the land itself is a teacher.

"The soil is part of us," said Viramontez Anguiano. "I tell my students, ‘We all come from the same milpa—the cornfields. Whether you're from Mexico, Central America, or anywhere else, this connection to the land is spiritual, cultural, and communal.’"

Ruben Viramontez Anguiano, PhD, joins his CU Denver Human Development and Family Relations students at Ollin Farms during the fall harvest, where hands-on learning brings indigenous regenerative farming practices to life.

Nearly a decade ago, Viramontez Anguiano partnered with Ollin Farms in Longmont, Colorado, to create a living classroom where university and high school students learn about indigenous regenerative farming, climate justice, and community resilience. The farm became a haven for students—many of whom had never stepped foot on agricultural land but carried ancestral farming traditions in their family histories. The partnership has attracted worldwide interest, including a research presentation before the United Nations in New York City.

Mark and Kena Guttridge, owners, Ollin Farms

Restoring the Land, Reconnecting the Community

At the heart of Ollin Farms are Mark and Kena Guttridge, who have spent nearly two decades transforming their land into a hub for education, sustainability, and healing. Their approach to farming is rooted in indigenous regenerative practices, including:

• The Three Sisters planting method: corn, beans, and squash grown together to support soil health and biodiversity.
• Rotational grazing: mimicking buffalo migration to stimulate root growth and build topsoil.
• Composting with mycelium and carbon-rich waste: turning mushroom waste and wood chips into nutrient-rich soil.
• Seed blessings and water ceremonies: honoring the spiritual connection to nature.
• Crop diversification and companion planting: resisting monoculture and strengthening ecosystem resilience.
• Respect for water systems: minimizing waste and honoring the flow of water as a sacred resource.

"These aren’t new practices," said Kena Guttridge. "They’re ancient. We’re waking them up. They’ve always been here—we just need to respect them again."

Through their community-supported agriculture (CSA) program, Ollin Farms feeds more than 450 families each week, and partners with Boulder County Health to deliver fresh produce to early childhood centers and food banks such as Sister Carmen Community Center.

"Food justice starts with connection," stated Mark Guttridge. "Youth need to know where their food comes from—and they need to touch the soil."

Olin Harrison Anguiano stands with his father, Professor Ruben Viramontez Anguiano, reflecting on how experiences at Ollin Farms inspired Olin to lead a youth service group and pursue studies in natural resources.

A Family Legacy of Learning and Leadership

For Olin Harrison Anguiano, Viramontez Anguiano’s son, Ollin Farms was more than a place to volunteer—it was where he discovered his purpose. As a high school student, Olin founded a Latino youth service group that brought his peers to the farm to learn, work, and reconnect with their heritage.

"I spent my childhood at the farm," he said. "It started as play, but it ignited my passion to connect with Mother Nature and regenerate ecosystems. I wanted to share that feeling with others."

Now studying natural resources, Olin credits the farm with shaping his view of leadership and community.

"My generation wants change," he said. "We know the current agriculture systems aren’t working. Being at Ollin Farms showed me what land stewardship can look like—and how community support can transform everything."

CU Denver students in the Human Development and Family Relations program work alongside community members at Ollin Farms, harvesting squash as part of a hands-on lesson in indigenous regenerative farming practices.

Growing Futures

Students leave Ollin Farms with dirty hands and full hearts, carrying forward values of respect, hard work, and environmental stewardship.

"Every kid should learn to read and ride a bike," said Kena Guttridge. "But today, every kid also needs to know how to restore ecosystems and build soil."

This is what it means to Be Colorado: to be rooted in tradition and innovation; to learn not just in classrooms but in circles of community in real-world contexts; and to grow futures with intention, respect, and love.

A view of Ollin Farms during the fall harvest where CU Denver students learn indigenous practices of caring for the land.