BEN RIPPLE

Founder, Big Tree Farms

Ben Ripple first came to Bali Indonesia in 1997 as an organic farmer seeking inspiration from one of the true great hearths of agricultural domestication. Unfortunately, what he fond was a dying tradition of sustainable production, rapidly being replaced by ill-suited models of high input farming.

In the 10 years that have followed, Ben has founded Big Tree Farms, a company focused on aiding traditional producers attain the much needed balance between economy and ecology that is true sustainability. With production programs focusing on organic farming in fresh produce, fruit, cacao, cashew, palm sugar, honey, spices and sea salt, Big Tree Farms is currently helping over 5,000 farmers realize sustainable livelihoods and reinvigorate their own cultural identities.

Big Tree Farms vision and products have been featured by such publications as Food and Wine, Gourmet, Gourmet Traveler, Fine Cooking and the New York Times and continue to grow in popularity with chefs and home-cooks around the world.

Recently, Big Tree Farms was listed by the World Resource Institute as one of the 10 most exciting "rising social ventures" in the world. Ben lives and works full time with his wife, Blair and daughter, Lila on their organic farm in Bali, Indonesia.