Dirt Smart
Dirt Smart brings bold conversations with the farmers, technologists, entrepreneurs, and change makers who are rethinking how food is grown, how land is cared for, and how technology is shaping the future of our food systems. No fluff. No jargon. Just bold ideas, hard-earned insights, and real-world stories from real people doing the work.From soil health to ag tech, climate resilience to farm entrepreneurship, we dig into the challenges and breakthroughs shaping the future of food and the planet.If you're a grower, a builder, or just someone who gives a damn — you're in the right place.
Dirt Smart
Ep. #16 Bullets to BX - Ben Bardsley
In this special episode the host of Dirt Smart sits in the interview chair and is interviewed by Dirt Smart Producer, Ty Paxton.
Ben’s story begins on his family’s 130-year-old tree fruit farm in Kent, southeast of London. It’s where he learned the rhythm of farming — the grit, the rewards, and the relentless work — from his father and grandfather. After university, he served as a decorated veteran in Afghanistan, where his life changed forever after being ambushed and shot through the torso by the Taliban.
Following a remarkable recovery, Ben returned to the family fruit business, becoming CEO and scaling it by an astonishing 1,400%. Today, he’s the founder and CEO of BX — a farm intelligence platform helping farms transform fragmented data into powerful, actionable insights.
This episode isn’t just about business success. It’s about survival, resilience, and purpose — how near-death shaped Ben’s mission to create lasting, positive impact through farming. It’s a story of grit, perseverance, and vision.
Learn more about Ben
Learn more about BX