Commissioner Ben Carpenter

PERRY COUNTY COMMISSIONER BEN CARPENTER

I have lived in Perry County all my life. I served in the United States Marine Corps, and was honorably discharged. A lifelong member of Holy Trinity Catholic church, I am an active member serving as a lector and eucharistic minister.

Prior to my 2016 election as County Commissioner, I worked 31 years with the Perry Soil and Water Conservation District. In 2017 I retired from the Conservation District and began serving Perry County as Commissioner. I continue to have a passion and dedication to serving the people of Perry County.

My dear wife Katrina and I operate a small farm, Mt. Airy Ranch. We raise herds of grass-fed Black Angus and Texas Longhorn cattle. Mt. Airy Beef is the name of our beef production business and the food truck we operate. We enjoy going to festivals and other events throughout the area, meeting and spending time with our neighbors, cooking and serving our beef from the food truck.

My father was a farmer. He purchased the farm with his ‘city’ wife who came from Newark. The farm got the name Mt. Airy because of the breezes that blow across the crest of our hill and remembrance of a trip my parents made through Mt. Airy, North Carolina. My mother had never experienced country wind at the crest of a hill before and was in awe of its power. She loved this place and we are blessed to continue their legacy.

I graduated from Sheridan High School, and joined the United States Marine Corps.

When I got back to Perry County I attended Muskingum Area Technical College (now Zane State) and graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Parks Recreation and Wildlife. After working three years for the Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District I decided to return to school. I enrolled at The Ohio State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree, majoring in Agronomy and Agricultural Business. While attending OSU I worked as the assistant manager at Rush Creek Feed and Supply in Bremen.

Upon graduation from OSU, I was offered a position with the Perry County Soil and Water Conservation District. Until 2017 I continued my professional career with the Perry SWCD working 31 years in Soil and Water Conservation as a Technician and then Administrator, managing the operations and staff.

The mission of the SWCD is to provide technical and engineering assistance to farmers and landowners to install and maintain conservation practices on the land throughout Perry County. I also developed many Conservation Education Programs for Perry County students that were implemented in every school district throughout Perry County. Penny Cox, the Perry SWCD Education Specialist continues many of the programs I started and has expanded and increased the information and education programs adjusting for ever-changing learning standards.

On a daily basis, I spend my time and energy throughout Perry County working with people, asking important questions about matters County Commissioners can control and improve. I enjoy meeting and working with those real people to improve Perry County to the benefit of everyone.

The last Tuesday of every month, you’ll find me at Dodson’s on Broadway in New Lexington hosting Coffee with Some Commissioners – a chance for anyone interested to find out more about what’s happening in Perry County from the people who are making things happen. I hope you’ll join us. (Be there by 7:30 and enjoy the famous Dodson’s Skillet!) Since February of my first year I take time on the third Tuesday of each month to share County Highlights on WHIZ TV.

The rest of my time is devoted to my family, with sons, our daughter and their families nearby, grandchildren and my wife Katrina – enjoying the breeze at Mt. Airy and working our land. I cherish this place for all it has brought my family and look forward to continuing my commitment to serving the best interests of Perry County.