A third-generation pig farmer, Ben owns Schmaling Brothers Berkshires with his brother, Ethan. About 25 purebred Berkshire sows make up the operation. In spring and fall, nearly 150 Berkshire show pigs are sold throughout the Midwest and nationwide. Seed stock and bred females are marketed in the fall. Off the farm, Ben is a swine consultant at Standard Nutrition Services. Prior to that, he worked for animal health companies.
Ben has been president of the Iowa Purebred Swine Council since 2013; is a certified swine judge in multiple states; and serves on the Adult Board of Directors for Team Purebred, a national youth swine association. In addition, he is a member of the American Berkshire Association. He graduated from the Iowa Pork Leadership Academy; and served IPPA's promotion committee, and on the National Pork Board’s Producer/Public Health & Workplace Safety committee.
A native of Belleville, Wis., Ben earned a marketing degree from Iowa State University.