Jonathan Cable is proud to be a native of northeastern Colorado. Despite growing up near the rural town of Brush, he is the first to admit his journey in agriculture doesn’t fit the traditional definition of an agricultural advocate.
He lived in the country, but his family didn’t own a farm or ranch. He was home-schooled, primarily by his mother. And rather than playing sports, which is a big part of Brush’s identity, he grew up pursuing classical piano— playing at churches, schools and other venues throughout Morgan County and beyond.
“Growing up in a rural community, where there is so much emphasis on sports and raising livestock, challenged me in my embrace of unique passions,” he said. “I had a passion for music and design which set me apart, and it took me a while to find my voice in agriculture.”
Now a graduate student in Colorado State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Cable said his life changed when he joined 4-H at age 13. Hesitant at first to join 4-H, he quickly found new friends and new passions – including gardening, community service and various leadership projects – that eventually led him to CSU.
“4-H really launched me on my journey in becoming an advocate for agriculture and rural communities,” he said. Cable took a significant step in this journey when he decided to attend CSU in 2018.
While working on his undergraduate degree in landscape architecture, Cable fully immersed himself in the CSU experience. He served as one of the College’s Ag Ambassadors and as a Presidential Ambassador, one of the highest honors an undergraduate can receive. He also was on Ag Council, participated in the college’s peer mentoring program, and assisted in numerous ag literacy outreach events.
Now earning his masters in Agricultural Education, Cable is working with the Dean’s Office to promote the ag industry and rural resilience while enhancing his skill set. He plans to work with Colorado’s rural communities to address concerns and highlight what makes small towns special.
“What it comes down to is that there are some very complex challenges impacting the ag industry and rural communities that require a strong collaborative spirit,” he said. “I want to help these communities amplify their voice, effectively match the right tools to the issues, and explore what solutions can be achieved. There’s a sense of stagnation in many communities, of not being able to grow in a vibrant way.”
“I want to advocate for rural Colorado and truly understand their challenges, while also letting them know there are practical resources that can help them become a more sustainable community. I feel like I have the passion and skill set to work with these communities and help them achieve sustainability.”
Cable’s work caught the eye of the Denver Business Journal, which named him the 2024 Rising Star in its annual Leaders in Agriculture selections. He was formally honored along with 21 other at a reception held at the CSU Spur Hydro Building.
“It’s definitely humbling to be recognized; it’s a real testament to my long journey in finding my passion for agriculture,” he said. “I didn’t come from a traditional ag background, but with the help of my CSU community and especially my College of Ag family, I’ve really found my path. CSU truly lives that land-grant mission and supports students from diverse backgrounds as they learn. I’m so thankful I’m here, and so excited about what the future holds.”
