2025 Board of Directors Elections

Age: 45

Farming Operation

Ben operates an integrated beef cattle business, managing 400 cows and collaborating with various cooperator herds. His beef line includes feeding cattle to finish and selling fats on the grid at Midwest plants and/or into the branded program. Additionally, Ben owns and operates a USDA-inspected processing company, doing all the fabrication for the line and providing custom processing services for other local producers. Since 2016, Ben’s operation has been processing between 30-40 beef per week, along with slaughtering hogs, sheep and goats. In 2022, they opened a second retail butcher location focusing solely on end products.

Education

University of Tennessee-Martin, B.S. in Agriculture, Pre-vet, M.S. Agricultural Operations & Management, MBA

Board Experience

• Farm Credit Mid-America Advocate Council, 2022 to present
• Farm Credit Mid-America Financial Officer, 2018-2021
• American Association of Meat Processors
• Tennessee Farm Bureau
• Tennessee State Grassland Council

Community and Industry Involvement

• GWP – Non-profit ministries
• Non-profit organization to offer a sober living center in Giles County
• Sponsor and host a special needs ball league
• Donate products for approximately 5,000 meals to individuals in special needs housing

Biographical Information

I was raised on a small farm in Lynnville, Tennessee. My involvement in the cattle industry has grown from a childhood job to a global cattle business by representing U.S. cattle producers on the Five Nations Beef Alliance and involvement in multiple national associations. This also includes my two decades of experience with purebred and commercial herd management, direct marketing of feeder and fat cattle, livestock feed sales, nutritional consulting, and now, owning Light Hill Meats. Light Hill Meats is a completely integrated beef business that consists of a cow herd that has been developed over a decade to make the best quality beef possible, a USDA-inspected processing facility in Lynnville, TN and the Light Hill Meats butcher shop in Spring Hill, TN.

I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee-Martin and later earned a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Operations and Masters of Business Administration from UTM.

My wife, Lauren, and I have four children and reside in Columbia, Tennessee.

Why do you want to serve on the Farm Credit Mid-America Board?

I am passionate about joining the Board of Farm Credit Mid-America because I believe in giving back to the community, industry, and people who have supported me throughout my journey. Without Farm Credit Mid-America, our business would not exist. My experience as a first-generation beef cattle farmer, owner of Light Hill Meats, LLC, and former Farm Credit Mid-America team member has given me a unique understanding of the agricultural sector’s challenges and opportunities. I have daily contact with customers not involved in agriculture. Our business model is different than those from generational farming operations. To be competitive, our business is integrated and customer-facing. I have witnessed firsthand the impact of financial support and strategic guidance on farmers and agricultural businesses. Serving on the Board would allow me to contribute from a different perspective while supporting those in agriculture that have been such a large part of my life.