Ben and his wife, Pam, own a 30-acre farm in Weld County, where they have raised corn, Sudan grass, hemp, sugar beets, and onions. Ben grew up on a diversified farm and ranch near Burlington.
After completing his education at NJC and CSU, Ben began a career in education. He served nearly 20 years as an agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor, with 83% of his students going on to careers in agriculture. He later served as a high school principal, helping increase the school’s graduation rate to more than 90%.
After retiring from education, Ben joined Rocky Mountain Farmers Union as Co-op Center Director and Foundation Director. After three years in those roles, he was named Executive Director/CEO. During his tenure, he oversaw the restructuring of all three organizations and helped strengthen RMFU’s financial position.
Ben would like to serve as Vice President on the Board of Directors to help position RMFU for its next 100 years. His priorities include strengthening the role of the Board, maintaining financial stability through FUSA, improving access to land and water for the next generation of farmers, and supporting member recruitment and leadership development. Watch Ben’s candidate video HERE.

Bill Thompson has spent a big part of his career working on behalf of family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. He farmed and ranched in Quay County, New Mexico, where he raised dryland wheat and operated a cow/calf operation. He also served as president of the Quay County Chapter and founded the young farmer organization Agri-Quay.
Bill began his career with Rocky Mountain Farmers Union as Director of Organization in 1987 and later became Assistant to the President by 1993. During the Farm Crisis of the 80’s, he co-founded the New Mexico Farm Crisis Hotline. That work included building partnerships with Farm Aid, the Center for Rural Affairs, and the Council of Churches. Later, he helped write a Family Farm ballot initiative opposing corporate farming and led an effort that allowed Colorado women to use WIC certificates at farmers markets.
Bill co-developed the tri-state Kellogg-funded Challenges and Choices rural development project and directed it for three years from 1994 to 1998.
One of Bill’s proudest accomplishments is the development of the RMFU Fellows Program and serving as its first director. He is running for RMFU Vice President to continue serving family agriculture and strengthening Farmers Union. Watch Bill’s candidate video HERE.

Evanne Caviness is a proud rancher, agricultural conservation leader, and mother of 6th-generation Coloradoans who has been immersed in agriculture in the Southwestern U.S. since childhood. She works as the Division Director of Conservation Services for the Colorado Department of Agriculture while managing Caviness Farms–her cow/calf and hay operation located in Bayfield, CO alongside her husband Tyson and their three children. Having established her operation without intergenerational access to land or capital, she is committed to improving the landscape for the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Evanne is passionate about farmland preservation policy; she believes working lands and thriving farms and ranches are essential for the long-term economic and environmental prosperity of Colorado and the West. Evanne holds numerous leadership roles on nonprofit boards and government councils across Colorado and the Western United States. Watch Evanne’s candidate video HERE.

Dr.  Amanda Weaver is a Wheat Ridge resident and owner of the 13- acre sustainable urban farm, 5 Fridges Farm.  Amanda apprenticed with Wheat Ridge founder, Louise Turner (87), with dairy goats while finishing a dissertation on local food production in Colorado.  When Louise passed, Amanda bought the Centennial Agribusiness where she started her own herd of dairy goats.  Since 2010, she maintains dairy and restorative grazing herds, flocks of turkeys and chickens, as well as producing delicious eggs, meat, dairy, and vegetables for local sales.  As a member of the faculty at CU Denver, the RMFU Policy Committee, and the Colorado Agricultural Commission, Amanda uses her farm as her research lab and classroom, teaching regenerative urban agriculture, environmental sustainability, and conservation as well as advocating for local family farms and ranches. Watch Amanda’s candidate video HERE.