After learning about how closely linked nutrition and how it is grown are, Ben Walton knew what he wanted his next chapter of life to be in.
Ben grew up in west Texas in the town of Clyde, a small rural suburb of Abilene. He joined the Coast Guard after completing college in 2002 and served as a Search and Rescue Helicopter pilot for 20 years before retiring in the summer of 2022.
He and his wife, Meg Walton, purchased their 50-acre farm in 2019 in preparation for their life after military service.
“My only agricultural experience prior to starting was working on ranches at home through high school and college,” Ben said. “However, my last four years in the Coast Guard, we were blessed to find a mentor. Ben Simmons of Nature’s Gourmet in Petal, Mississippi.”
Ben Simmons is a retired Air National Guard Veteran. They would coordinate days where Ben would help with farm chores. Though working for free, the knowledge he gained would prove to be invaluable.
Ben began farming in the summer of 2022 and raises grass-fed beef, pastured meat chickens, pork, and eggs on a rotational-grazing system.
Fellowship Fund
Ben applied twice for the Fellowship Fund before finally being awarded last year in May 2024. With the funds provided by Kubota Tractor Corporation, he purchased a 20’ x 60’ hoop house that is used primarily to house their flock of egg-laying hens for the winter.
“We have a mulch floor that is 2’ thick to ensure their manure is absorbed and scratched in while they stay warm, dry, and away from hawks,” Ben explained. “The decaying compost bed they create also exudes heat from underneath to help mitigate the winter cold and keep them comfortable. Now that they are back on pasture this month, we will follow up with vegetables in the house’s space.”
What Ben enjoys the most about his farming operation, is the connection to the land. “We enjoy how connected we feel to our food and our land, along with the chance to have folks come out to the farm and feel that same connection,” Ben said.
Through the Fellowship Fund, Ben was able to build a hoop house for his chickens.
First Light Farm
“We want readers to know that progress on the farm without chemicals or synthetics happens on God’s time as he restores the biology,” he said. “As is usually the case, his pace is slower that what we would like, but results in faith and patience. We are glad to have anyone out to the farm if they are ever in the area.”
Those interested in learning more about Ben and his family’s farm can find them on Facebook by searching First Light Farm.
