Ben is the farm business manager and part of the sixth generation of his family to grow up caring for the land. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Luther College in Decorah, IA in 2011 and a master’s in international economics from American University in Washington DC in 2014.

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After graduating, Ben worked for the Farm Credit Council as the Senior Director, Economic and Policy Analysis where he helped lead the Farm Credit Crop Insurance Workgroup and the Farm Credit FSA Guaranteed Loan Workgroup as well as being the staff economist. In 2024, Ben moved back to Minnesota to work for Compeer Financial and play a regular role on the family farm.

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Ben and his wife HyunJung (Crystal) Rie live in Minneapolis, where she works remotely as an archivist for the Smithsonian. They’re excited to be part of continuing the legacy of stewardship Ben’s grandparents began and deepen their connection to the soil.