Ben and Danielle, Root 5 Farm owners, have both been farming organic vegetables since 2001. They found their separate ways to the University of Vermont in the late 90’s where Ben studied forestry and Danielle majored in political science. They didn’t meet until years later when they both independently came upon a love of farming.

Ben got his start on a blueberry farm in Maine and then returned to Burlington, Vermont, to help start Arethusa Farm at the Intervale in 2001. Eventually Ben and Danielle crossed paths when Danielle began working at the Intervale Community Farm in 2003, just down the road from Arethusa. Danielle was intrigued by Ben’s unusual hat collection, Ben thought Danielle had a nice smile, and the rest is history.

Danielle gained valuable experience working at four different organic vegetable farms in the Burlington area. In 2006 she took a year off from farming to study Landscape Design at the Conway School, and shortly after joined Ben and Thomas to help manage Arethusa Farm. Ben and Danielle were married in 2009. After working together to run Arethusa Farm for four years, they became interested in a longer-term investment in the land, and started a search for a farm to make their home.

A devastating flood at Arethusa Farm caused by Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011 intensified Ben and Danielle’s search for new farm land, and they were lucky to find and purchase Your Farm, from Kevin and Laura Channel, in March of 2013. They moved to Fairlee just in time to get started seeding in the greenhouse and working the land for the 2013 season. In 2015, Ben and Danielle re-named the farm to Root 5 Farm.

In 2018, Ben & Danielle welcomed a new member to their Root 5 Farm family, adopting Garhett when he was a wee 2 years old. Always eager to help out and learn to use tools, "G" has grown up digging in the vegetable fields and greenhouses, riding bikes under foot around the wash station, and fixing things in the workshop with his dad. Garhett always cracks up the farm crew when he chows down on freshly dug radishes and turnips, and eats kale right off the plant like he's a woodchuck.

Overall, Ben, Danielle, & Garhett are thrilled to be farming the rich soil of the Connecticut River Valley and to be part of a community that supports organic farming. 

"Never before in my life have I felt that I'm truly supporting and supported by the community around me." 

M. Bookless, Root 5 Crew since 2021

Seth Bent

Operations Manager

Seth is as OG as our kraut and our do-everything bud around Root 5. Talents include …. everything that needs doing and a reliable, unshakable chill. Always good for a “hey bud” and a helping hand no matter the task. He and his partner, Sarah (they fell in love HERE), operate and own Mink Meadow Farm in Etna, NH and grow the potatoes, garlic, and eggplant you find in your shares!

Meg Bookless

Greenhouse & Field Manager

Meg and her farm pup, Ani, make sure our coffee pot is never empty​, our tools are always sharp, our greenhouse stays green, and our daily quota of pup snuggles is met enthusiastically and without delay during each team lunch. She pinch hits as delivery driver and tractor operator when needed and is gunning for squash toss champion with Bean for the second season in a row. 

Cindy Ross

 Kraut Kitchen Manager - "Fermentista"

Cindy's creativity in the farm kitchen in unrivaled, coming out with small batch favorites like 2021's Beet Kraut and Mocha Hot Sauce. Cindy keeps us going through the summer with inspired lunch time tastings.