Erik Benson
Murdock, MN
Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative

Erik farms with his parents on their family farm near Murdock, MN – where they raise sugarbeets, corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. Erik and his wife Jasmine are actively involved in their farm operations and have a one-year-old son, Easton. They have been members of Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative (SMBSC) for 20+ years – where Erik was elected to the Board of Directors in 2020. He also joined the American Sugarbeet Growers Association (ASGA) Board of Directors in 2021.

After attending the University of Minnesota – Erik spent 12 years in the hospitality and food and beverage industries in various leadership roles. Most recently, Erik served as the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for a large, Marriott affiliated hospitality company based in Minneapolis, MN with widespread hotel and restaurant operations throughout the United States. He gained invaluable experience and insight into food and beverage consumer trends and customer demand patterns throughout their US based portfolio; as well as having the opportunity to attend and network with industry peers and customers at hospitality and food service trade association events and conferences.