Assistant Professor
benjamin.turner@tamuk.edu • 361-593-2464
Dr. Benjamin Turner grew up in Normangee, Texas. He received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Sam Houston State University in 2009, followed by a Master of Science in Agribusiness from Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) in 2011. Between semesters during those years Ben interned with Texas Farm Credit in Robstown, Texas, Hunt Oil Company in Dallas, Texas, and day labored for several ranches in Kleberg and Leon counties.
Ben received a Ph.D. in Natural Resource Management at South Dakota State University with an emphasis on systems analysis for agriculture. As a member of an interdisciplinary team, he worked on a variety of projects investigating agricultural land transformation and resource decision-making. Working directly with farmers and ranchers, Ben generated valuable information regarding producers’ conservation priorities, historical and projected land use trends, and the long-term soil changes due to land transformation. His work in South Dakota has been recognized by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and iSeeSystems, Inc., a leader in systems education.
After completing his dissertation, Ben worked as a post-doctoral researcher at New Mexico State University. There he joined another interdisciplinary team whose partnerships with traditionally managed irrigation communities, called acequias, has led to a number of key outcomes relating to the hydrology and water resource management for agricultural systems in semi-arid regions.
At TAMUK, Ben’s research focus is on analysis of agricultural systems, natural resource decision making, and development of teaching and management support tools. His teaching responsibilities include systems thinking and analysis at the graduate level while also managing the undergraduate agribusiness and ranch management programs. He lives in south Texas with his wife, Viviana, whom he met at TAMUK.