Raised on a farm in East Hardwick, Ben is proud to be a life-long farmer, and to call this region home. After graduating from Hazen Union High School in 2001, Ben received a BS in Forest Management from the University of Maine in Orono. In 2007 he moved back to the family farm, to help grow the business that he co-owns with his wife and parents. Snug Valley Farm raises grass-fed and finished beef, pastured pork, and 5 acres of pumpkins, which started as Ben’s project when he was only 6. Ben spent five years teaching at the Green Mountain Technical and Career center where he worked with juniors and seniors to expose them to the forest industry trade with projects like building the new bog bridge at Atkins Field. Ben has been a fan of the CAE since it was founded, and uses the Vermont Food Venture Center for storage and distribution. Ben views his role on the board as a way to give back to the community, and promote the local food system that he deeply believes in.