Ben has served as the Extension Educator for Agricultural Sciences with the University of Maryland Extension office in St. Mary’s County since 2000. His main programming efforts include assisting growers with vegetable and small fruit production, grain and tobacco production, and alternative crop development. Most recently, he has been involved in programming to help farmers manage herbicide resistant weeds and the creation of a beginning farmer program in Maryland. His current research projects include small fruit cultivar evaluation trials, high tunnel vegetable management, several herbicide efficacy trials for control of herbicide resistant Palmer amaranth and common ragweed, and evaluation of tobacco fertility programs. Ben holds a BS degree in Agricultural Sciences; a MS degree in Management and Marketing and is a Certified Crop Advisor. Ben grew up on a diversified farm in Southern Maryland and enjoys working on the family farm in his spare time.