Benjamin Clark

I have worked in agriculture full time for the last 10 years, starting my journey as a field hand on a diversified vegetable and livestock farm. Since then, I've worked through several apprenticeships, assistant management positions, and most recently been employed as a full time farm manager. I've worked on very diverse operations, ranging in scale from the small (>2 acres) to the very large (13,000 acres), and growing everything from vegetables, grains, livestock (cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry), forage, dairy, meat, eggs etc. along the way. This breadth and depth of experience has honed my skills in the day to day practice of farming, as well as my perspective on the industry as a whole, and how I see myself in the context of the food system and society. I plan to continue to farm into the future, but am taking this year off farming full-time to take stock of my resources and beginning to search for the right opportunity to start a farm business for myself that aligns with my values and personality.

I believe that the land should dictate the production practices of the farm, and that those products should be a healthy expression of the place where they are nurtured, and in turn contribute to the health and economy of the community. One aspect of healthy farming I believe in is the integration of crops and livestock. Through thoughtful grazing and management of animals the natural fertility of a farm system can be achieved. Input based agriculture (through purchased fertilizers, minerals, etc.) can never be considered sustainable or regenerative.