Ben grew up in South Washington, Vermont on a small organic diversified homestead that was focused on growing food for the family, but also produced apple juice, apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup for sale. After attending college and having a few traveling and business adventures, Ben spent some years working for the US Forest Service in the western US as a Smokejumper. When the Green Mountain State called Ben home, it was to study at the University of Vermont and to work at Redstart, Inc. After settling in Corinth and beginning work on various natural resource conservation projects for Redstart, Ben rediscovered his interest in farming. In 2006 Ben had a conversation with his grandfather Herb during Herb’s final days that led Ben to dedicate himself to revitalizing the flock that been in the family since the 1920s.