During the 2022-23 academic year, we are highlighting one Colorado State University student or alum from each of Colorado’s 64 counties. The Centennial State’s land grant university has a connection to the diverse lands and people from the counties of Moffat to Baca, Montezuma to Sedgwick and everywhere in between.

Jonathan Cable

Major: Landscape Architecture, (2022 graduate), master’s of agriculture education

Why I chose CSU: My dad came to CSU and graduated from the College of Agricultural Sciences, so I already felt connected to the University and the legacy of agricultural stewardship. I was fortunate enough to be part of 4-H through CSU Extension, and that really gave me a sense of the land grant mission, the purpose of CSU and how I can use my passion and skills to give back to my community.

Favorite thing about CSU: I would say our generous community. I had the privilege of being a presidential ambassador for a couple of years. I got to meet a lot of incredible individuals who give back of their time, talent, treasure and testimony.

Clubs/organizations in college: Ag Ambassadors, CSU Presidential Ambassadors, Ag Council, College of Ag’s peer mentor program, Mountain View college ministry

Scholarships/awards in college: Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship; Presidential Ambassador Legacy Scholarship; 4-H Scholarship; Morgan County 4-H Foundation Scholarship

Favorite achievement: American Society of Landscape Architecture honor award

Career goals: I hope to get involved in advocating for rural communities. With my landscape architecture background and now with ag education, I’m seeking to explore new ways to help rural communities find opportunities and resources to grow sustainably and ultimately thrive.

Favorite instructor(s): Mehmet Ozbek: Dr. Ozbek was an incredible instructor because he got to know his students on a personal basis and he really challenged us, but did it in such a kind way that it really made me want to come to class every day; Lori Catalano: Just all the wealth of information that she’s brought from the industry into teaching really helped me see that landscape architecture is not just a design program, but really how it can impact communities for the better.

I’d like to thank: My family; also a huge thanks to the Dean’s Office in the College of Agricultural Sciences. Through my experiences as an Ag Ambassador and growing relationships with the college’s administration and staff, I really found my voice for advocacy for agriculture; the CSU Alumni Association for helping me grow my understanding of generosity, leaving a legacy and Ram Pride.

Quirky fact: I was classically trained in piano.

Favorite NOCO food and hangouts: Krazy Karl’s; Bindle Coffee; Holiday Twin Drive In; hiking Horsetooth Reservoir and to the “A”

Favorite CSU tradition: Ag Day is basically like Christmas in September.

What do you tell people from Morgan County about CSU: I always love telling folks about the opportunities that I’m getting to have hands-on education, not only in my own program, but also across the entire university to uplift and advocate for agriculture.

Something people should know about Morgan County: I think it’s really cool that we’re super diverse. People often think of rural, northeast Colorado as just a bunch of white farmers, but it’s been really cool to see how, with our increasing diversity and with a lot of folks coming from across the world to Morgan County, we’re continuing to uplift their stories and to serve their needs.

Biggest adversity you’ve overcome at CSU: It was cool to go against the traditional narrative of what an ag student is in the College of Agriculture, I feel like I was able to really show people that if you have a passion for feeding the world, sustaining life, being responsible with our natural resources and being a good steward, then you care about agriculture. It hasn’t been huge adversity, but I’ve seen tons of growth come through it.