Ben Dobson
Ben Dobson was born on an organic farm in Hillsdale, NY and has never left the industry. Ben started his first organic farm at the age of 16 in Hillsdale, New York in 2000. The farm was called Earthborn Organic Vegetables focused on growing a diverse array of vegetables for local restaurants and a CSA. While operating Earthborn Ben attended Simon's Rock College of Bard, a college for High School age students.
After graduating from Simon's Rock with a focus in Environmental Science, Ben went on to manage the fields at his father's Equinox Farm, located in Sheffield, MA. Equinox is a pioneering small farm specializing in salad greens, herbs, heirloom tomatoes and micro salads.
In 2006 after four years at Equinox Ben was offered an opportunity to take over an operation in Bowdoinham, Maine that was set up as the largest organic salad operation in New England. In 2007 Ben, along with David Goldstein started Atlantic Organics. After a first season, and finding they received insufficient recognition through wholesaling, Ben and David joined with Shimon Horowitz to launch their own brand called Locally Known.
Ben is responsible for sales, marketing, the overall farming operation, coordinating upstream supply from new growers, public relations, as well as overseeing the direction and vision of the company.
Shimon Horowitz
Shimon was born in Germany, and was raised from a young age in Western Massachusetts in the Berkshires. He attended a Waldorf School through sophomore year of high school, finishing in the public education system.
Shimon attended Maine Maritime Academy, and received a Bachelors Degree in Marine Transportation Operations and a USCG Third Mate Unlimited Tonnage upon Oceans license, shipping out between 2003 and 2008. During his years at sea, he served as Third Officer, Second Officer, and Chief Officer on offshore supply vessels, tankers, and container ships. Working aboard ships in these various capacities gave Shimon a solid and background in management, leadership, decision making, and equipment and system operations.
In 2008 Shimon joined with Dave and Ben to launch Locally Known, develop the food safety and manufacturing practices/procedures for the company, and design/implement the processing systems necessary to package ready-to-eat salad greens. He currently manages the day to day operations for Locally Known on the processing, packaging, and distribution fronts, as well as works closely with Ben and David on overall company growth, direction, and vision.
David Goldstein
Bio coming soon! (Dave is usually busy in the fields...)
