Denise Carter
Co-Owner
Benden Farms

Denise is a co-owner with her husband, Ben (Class 24) of a diversified farming operation of approximately 2500 acres along the Sacramento River north of Colusa. Denise oversees the general management and marketing of the company's products. Benden Farms produces organic rice, organic dry beans, dry beans, wheat, vegetable seed, prunes, and walnuts. During the winter, she helps manage the Home Ranch Duck Club.

Denise, a native Californian, grew up in Southern California. After graduating from UCLA with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, with an emphasis in structural engineering, she went to work for Texaco at its Wilmington refinery. She progressed through the engineering ranks and was then given the opportunity to cross-train in supply, distribution and marketing. The opportunity arose to farm a piece of her husband's family ranch in Colusa. Denise, her husband and two small children moved to Colusa County 14 years ago and subsequently founded Benden Farms.

Denise's current leadership activities include serving as 2nd Vice President of the Colusa County Farm Bureau, as a member of the Board of Directors of the Colusa Glenn Subwatershed Program, and as President California Certified Organic Farmers North Valley Chapter. She is involved with the St. Stephens Episcopal Church after-school program and the Colusa County Garden Club. She has been a 4-H leader and active school volunteer. In her free time she enjoys gardening and being outdoors.

Denise and Ben have two children, Brian, age 21, and Kendra, age 16.