Cultivating Hope, Nourishing Community, Empowering Youth
High in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, just beyond Trinidad, Colorado, lies a place of quiet transformation. Earth Mountain Education Farm is more than a working permaculture farm; it is a living classroom, a sanctuary of learning, and a beacon in a food desert where fresh produce is sparse and access often limited. Through soil, sweat, and shared meals, Earth Mountain fights hunger while nurturing a generation of youth who learn to connect deeply with their food and their world.
A Farm That Feeds Community
Since 2014, the farm has partnered with local cooperatives and the Trinidad Community Food Cooperative to launch The Good Food Project, transforming three acres of former hay fields into a thriving organic polyculture. This community-operated farm grows vegetables in mixed-plant guilds and delivers affordable, nutrient-rich produce to Trinidad’s under-served neighborhoods.
Their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and community garden in Trinidad further extend access, delivering weekly baskets of fresh, local produce from mid‑June through October. Volunteers earn “V‑bucks”—credits redeemable for discounted produce at the market—offering pathways for local residents to participate even when budgets are tight.
Programming That Empowers
At the heart of Earth Mountain’s mission is education that intertwines environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and practical skills. Their broad programming includes:
- Youth Farm Internships (ages 14–18): Eight‑week summer internships teach sustainable agriculture, leadership, marketing, and more—with a stipend to support participants
- Permaculture Internships: Longer-term immersive education in ecological design and regenerative systems that shape future stewards of the land
- School Gardens through partnership with Trinidad Community Garden and local schools: nurturing seed‑to‑fork experiences in classrooms and after‑school settings
- Farm‑based workshops, retreats, natural‑building classes, and youth camps on their 400‑acre ecovillage campus, including experiences in composting, soil science, grazing systems, and renewable‑energy techniques
Youth Connection: Soil, Food, and Self
“I felt as though I was part of a real system of living … by being part of this community, I made a difference.” —9th grader
“From the compost‑toilet project… it felt like true impactful and hard work… then lying in the Earth… I understood more the value of happiness over achievement.” —10th grader
Educators affirm that Earth Mountain offers learning that transcends lecture halls: students design gardens, learn compost science, bake pizzas with farm‑fresh toppings in a traditional orno oven, and walk away knowing they can transform landscapes and nourish people.
Fighting Hunger Through Education
In Southern Colorado’s food‑scarce communities, Earth Mountain’s approach is both pragmatic and poetic. They grow, teach, and cultivate resilience. It’s not only about delivering vegetables—it’s about giving tools to communities to grow, to share, and to teach others. Their permaculture models, CSA credits, and educational programs together reduce food insecurity by building local food capacity and inspiring future growers.
The Heartbeat of Permaculture
Operating off‑grid at 8,000 ft elevation in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, Earth Mountain lives its principles—solar, compost, polyculture, minimal carbon footprint—rooted in permaculture and ecovillage values. Every lesson is experiential: students tend goats and hens, practice rainwater harvesting, build compost toilets, learn soil stewardship, and design edible landscapes that heal ecosystems and communities alike.
To learn more about Earth Mountain, or to schedule a visit, contact the farm at:
17613 County Rd 31.9, Weston, CO 81091
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