Ollin Farms, owned by Mark and Kena Guttridge, is a family farm located in Boulder County that is committed to the principles of regenerative agriculture. For 15 years, Ollin Farms has been farming regeneratively, running a CSA and offering educational programs, and on-farm dinners. Mark and Kena’s goal is to produce high-quality farm products while also increasing the diversity and health of the ecosystems around their farm. Ollin Farms is known for its nutrient-dense farming model, which focuses on getting the right nutrients in the right proportions into an active and living soil. All of the farm’s produce is grown without the use of pesticides or herbicides, not even the organic approved ones.
One of the core values of Ollin Farms is community engagement and education, an area that Kena is particularly passionate about. The farm hosts youth classes, field trips, farm dinners, and provides vegetables to local school districts. Additionally, the farm collaborates with scientists to track ecosystem data on the farm, with the goal of working together to help build a resilient food system within Boulder County.
In February 2019, Ollin Farms received a $12,000 0% interest loan to purchase an irrigation system and a protective row cover for the farm. This loan allowed the farm to improve its sustainability and efficiency, enabling it to continue to produce high-quality products while also working towards its goal of improving the health of the ecosystem.
Mark and Kena’s commitment to regenerative agriculture, community engagement and education, and sustainable practices is an inspiration for others in the farming industry.