Mark Benoit
Company
BrightFarms, Inc., Elkwood, Virginia
Job Title
Head Grower
Accomplishments
- Participated in the design/build/implementation process of company’s new Capitol Greenhouse in Elkwood, Virginia. The 150,000-square-foot greenhouse harvested its first crops earlier this year and is expected to grow nearly 1 million pounds of produce per year.
- Received college degree in agriculture after serving in the infantry in Afghanistan for three years in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Extracurricular
Game On! Mark recently discovered a passion for playing table tennis. One of his co-workers was the New Jersey state champ and they started playing competitively against each other.
Fun Facts
A Hot and Cold Read: “A Song of Ice and Fire,” the first volume of the A Game of Thrones series by George R. Martin. “Because I’m a huge nerd. And everyone knows this.”
More 40 Under 40
Video Library 
GPN recognizes 40 industry professionals under the age of 40 who are helping to determine the future of the horticulture industry. These individuals are today’s movers and shakers who are already setting the pace for tomorrow.
