Ruthanna is a Wisconsin native having lived in various areas of the state from Madison, to Green Lake, to River Falls. She grew up in her parents' garden where she benefited from the fruits of their labor and a little bit of her own too, catching garden snakes and sampling all the garden had to offer.

After College she followed her passion for people and the land and joined the Peace Corps, living in Cameroon Central Africa for over 2 years working with Cooperative farming groups in Cameroon's west region. Upon returning to the United States and a few stints working in various laboratory settings she left the lab work behind to work for Urban Triage where she manages their Agricultural Programs supporting Black farmers and Families with farm land access, expansion, and education.