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Posted By Katie On November 4, 2013 13 Comments

Where do eggs come from? Ask Jill Benson, 4th generation Egg Farmer #WomenInAg

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 30 Days, family farm, Women in Ag 13 Comments

J.S West's Jill Benson

When I was working in California a few years ago, I met egg farmer and business woman Jill Benson from Modesto, CA. Jill and I developed a business relationship but more than anything, a friendship. I admire her boldness to fight for egg farming in California and to continue on her family’s multi-generational business.

Jill inspired me, instilled confidence in me and gave me a couple of my first paid public speaking opportunities, first to a poultry and egg association and then to large community event in Modesto, The Good Egg Breakfast. She believed in the message I was sharing before I even knew I was capable of keynoting events. Since that time, Jill has been a source of encouragement for me and a mentor in ways she probably doesn’t even realize. 

Jill currently splits her time between Modesto and Santa Cruz, CA with her husband Ken Woodward.  In Modesto, she works with Robert Benson, her father and Eric Benson, her brother and business partner. 

Get to know Jill Benson, a fabulous leader, passionate farmer, committed advocate and successful business woman in agriculture, in her own words in the below questions. 

What is your role in agriculture today? I’m 4th generation in our 104 year old family owned and operated business. We essentially have two core businesses, egg farming and liquid propane gas sales and distribution (which services a significant amount to agriculture.) My role is a leadership one by providing support, guidance, strategy and oversight to our various divisions. Our strong & capable managers and their teams make it possible, and a joy, to do my job. I’m deeply committed to the future of egg farming in CA and work on various tracks to support that goal.   Humane Egg Laying Barn

What excites you about your community? What I love about the communities where we live, work and serve is the diversity and the ways in which we engage. Whether as a company, a family or an individual, we support everyone’s efforts to give back and get involved. I get excited about our Central Valley community because we share a strong bond in raising food for CA families and beyond. I enjoy feeding people so where I can support charities in the community and be a part of enriching lives with eggs, I’m there!  

When was the last time you tried something for the first time? Stand up paddle boarding for my birthday.

What do you do to encourage others? Who/what serves as a source of encouragement for you? I enjoy discovering others’ uniquely individual and wonderful abilities and find ways to foster them. It’s satisfying to see someone build their confidence or master a new skill. My husband, Kenny, is a big source of encouragement. Our employees are a source of inspiration and encouragement to me. 

Which children’s book best describes your childhood/life? Why? Charlotte’s Web. By building others up, you become part of something bigger and better than yourself. Since I was a child, I always strove to be part of a team. Charlotte’s acts of friendship and team building best reflect what I wanted to be.

What is your favorite home-cooked meal? For this time of year I love slow cooked English style short beef ribs with potatoes and carrots, along with a fresh green salad, reminds me of my Mom.Where do eggs come from

 If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? Margaret Thatcher

 If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be? Let’s always be mindful to celebrate the bountiful supply of food and freedoms we enjoy by appreciating those who make them possible: farmers and the men & women in the armed forces.

 What makes you smile? People in love, laughing children, dogs and happy hens.

For photos and my own inside look at JS West’s egg farming, my blog post from a couple of years ago, What A Foodie Farm Girl Learned on an Egg Farm, is a good place to start. To see what is happening right now in Jill’s family farm egg barns, you can visit JS West’s Hens Live camera and learn more Jill’s family business on their JS West website and on their Facebook page. 

What’s your favorite recipe to make with eggs? I make Ham Egg Bake and Crab Quiche recipes often for my family. And I always think about where my eggs come from when I do. 

30 Days of Women In Ag

Subscribe in the right column of my blog to receive email updates and not miss any of the features for 30 Days of Women in Agriculture. 

November 3: Katie Heger, Farmer, Teacher and Mother of 5

November 2: Kelly Rivard: Country Nights, City Lights

November 1: Introducing 30 Days of Women in Agriculture

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Previous Post: « Farmer, Teacher, Mother of 5: Katie Heger #WomenInAg
Next Post: Beef Researcher & 3rd Generation Montana Rancher: Dr. Rachel Endecott #WomenInAg »

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Comments

  1. Kristin P. says

    November 4, 2013 at 11:13 am

    So awesome to see Jill Benson featured today! I did a feature on JS West for my paper’s poultry edition earlier this year. They have a really incredible facility. By the way, I saw you speak that year at the Good Egg Breakfast and it’s how I became a fan of yours!

    Reply
  2. Katie says

    November 4, 2013 at 7:56 pm

    Kristin P, thank you! That Good Egg Breakfast connection is awesome to hear. It’s a small world.

    Reply
  3. Ann Jensen says

    November 4, 2013 at 10:49 pm

    Jill Benson is so inspriational and down to earth! I appreciated reading about how she loves being a part of a team, encouraging others and the generous things she says about those who work for her. Thank you for sharing Jill’s story!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      November 5, 2013 at 6:16 pm

      Thanks Ann! I appreciate it!

      Reply
  4. missrjtrep7 says

    November 5, 2013 at 10:39 am

    I really enjoyed your series of 30 days of Woman in Agriculture, what a great idea to promote how important woman are to this industry! It has been really neat to see some of the amazing things woman have accomplished in the industry while raising children and maintain a household at the same time; woman warriors! Lately I have been worried that after college I am going to struggle to find the balance between my career and future family( God willing!) I want to pursue a career representing agriculture in politics whether that be a lobbyist or in government relations with a company. I realize that that particular field tends to eat people alive and it definitely will be a struggle but I know my heart is which is the most important part! Again it was great to hear from such successful woman, truly this has helped me find confidence for my future as a wife, mother and career woman!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      November 5, 2013 at 6:18 pm

      You can do it! A few years ago I termed a few friends in ag my “ag ninjas”. We all come together to help each other out and encourage one another. There is a community online that you can always seek out advice and insight from anytime. Go get em’ as a “woman warrior” (love that!)

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Agriculture Led Her From Alberta to Iowa: Meet Crystal Blin #WomenInAg says:
    November 6, 2013 at 10:03 am

    […] November 4: Jill Benson, 4th generation California Egg Farmer […]

    Reply
  2. Kansas Farm Girl To Washington D.C. Ag Communicator (with a Deployed Husband): Meet Julia Debes #WomenInAg says:
    November 11, 2013 at 8:07 am

    […] November 4: Jill Benson, 4th generation California Egg Farmer […]

    Reply
  3. Not a farm girl to Virginia FFA State Officer to Iowa Ag Education: Meet Katie Lukens #WomenInAg says:
    November 12, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    […] November 4: Jill Benson, 4th generation California Egg Farmer […]

    Reply
  4. California’s Couture Cowgirl & Cheerleader for Ag: Meet Celeste Settrini #WomenInAg says:
    November 17, 2013 at 9:39 pm

    […] November 4: Jill Benson, 4th generation California Egg Farmer […]

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  5. Cow Doc Dreams to Deputy State Veterinarian: Meet North Dakota’s Dr. Beth Carlson says:
    November 20, 2013 at 10:15 pm

    […] 5: Dr. Rachel Endecott, Beef Researcher & 3rd Generation Montana Rancher November 4: Jill Benson, 4th generation California Egg Farmer November 3: Katie Heger, North Dakota Farmer, Teacher and Mother of 5 November 2: Kelly […]

    Reply
  6. Building Connections For a Next Generation: Meet Illinois Farmer Mary Mackinson Faber #WomenInAg says:
    November 23, 2013 at 9:38 pm

    […] 5: Dr. Rachel Endecott, Beef Researcher & 3rd Generation Montana Rancher November 4: Jill Benson, 4th generation California Egg Farmer November 3: Katie Heger, North Dakota Farmer, Teacher and Mother of 5 November 2: Kelly […]

    Reply
  7. Oregon Grass Seed Farmer with Wedding Bells Ringing: Meet Marie Bowers #WomenInAg says:
    February 25, 2015 at 6:39 am

    […] November 4: Jill Benson, 4th generation California Egg Farmer […]

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I am a mom of three kids and a wife to Nathan. Together we live on the North Dakota prairie, 97 miles from a Starbuck's. I share about family, food, farming and the prairie that I love. I used to commute 98 miles one-way to work but it required too much coffee. So now I am home, consulting, speaking, writing and primarily, juggling family life.
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