Ben Farmer
ASLA, AICP, PLA
Principal | Managing Partner
Ben Farmer lives with his three children in Pikeville, Tennessee. When not focused on the firm’s daily activities Ben enjoys hiking, farming, and traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad. Ben loves to visit urban and rural landscapes alike and works personally and professionally to observe and analyze how we occupy our landscapes and distribute the resources within them.
Ben works within Tennessee and the rural communities in the southeast. He believes that neighborhoods are the key building block for sustainable urban design and rural towns are great exemplifier of how to occupy, connect and engage in our civic process. These examples are easily applied on a neighborhood scale to urban areas one neighborhood at a time.
Background
Education & Training
Professional Activities
Relevant Work
Background
As Managing Partner of Farmer | Morgan, Benjamin Farmer provides expertise in urban design and business district redevelopment with a sound understanding in governmental financing and project funding. Ben is trained as a landscape architect at the College of Architecture, Design and Construction at Auburn University. He has undergraduate degrees from the College of Agriculture and the College of Architecture, Design and Construction and a Master of Landscape Architecture and a Master of Community Planning from Auburn University. He is licensed as a General Contractor and practices planning, design and construction management for clients of F | M.
Prior to directing project development at F | M, Ben was the Director of Community Planning for the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments. As Director, Ben oversaw planning assistance to thirty-three municipalities and five county governments in Northwest Alabama. His department worked extensively on sustainable economic development strategies, land use planning, and stakeholder involvement.
Education & Training
Education:
Master of Community Planning. College of Architecture, Design and Construction of Auburn University, 2003
Master of Landscape Architecture. College of Architecture, Design and Construction of Auburn University, 2002
Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. College of Agriculture of Auburn University, 2002
Bachelor of Science of Environmental Design. College of Architecture, Design and Construction of Auburn University, 2002
Field Studies:
High Plains Drifters, Field Studies of the Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument of Utah, 2003
Beijing Forestry University, China, Spring 2001
European Cultures, Spring 1999
Ecology of the Canadian Shield, Fall 1998
Professional Activities
Affiliations:
City of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Low Impact Development Design Challenge, Second Place for the Cherokee Boulevard Design Category (2014)
State of Alabama, Trail Design Award for Most Outstanding Trail System, Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail (2014)
Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Clean Air Excellence Award: To the City of Ducktown for the Ducktown 28 Photovoltaic Solar Array in the Community Action category (2014)
Tennessee Municipal League, State Wide Green Leadership Award for the Ducktown 28KW Photovoltaic System Project Process and Implementation (2012)
Tennessee Municipal League, Best Planning Document, Pikeville, Tennessee Downtown Redevelopment Plan (2010)
Recipient of the College of Architecture, Design & Construction, Outstanding Graduate Student in Community Planning (2003)
Alabama City County Managers Association Summer Scholarship in Community Planning & Local Government Management (2003)
Certifications:
TDEC, TN Erosion & Sediment Control, Level I
TDEC, TN Erosion & Sediment Control, Level II
TDOT - Concrete Field Certified Technician
TDOT - Soils & Aggregate Certified Technician
TDOT - Asphalt Roadway Certification
TDOT - Preconstruction and Construction Procedures - Local Government Guidelines
10-Hour Occupational Safety and Health Construction Course
TDOT - Level 2, CEI Training
Presentations:
Presenter (2010): Tennessee American Planning Association (TAPA) Winter Conference on Sustainable Economic Development through Revitalization of Rural Business Districts.
Presenter (2011): Brownfield Redevelopment for Community Revitalization Conference, City of Florence, AL / EPA
Guest Presenter (2011): Auburn University, Master of Landscape Architecture, Professional Practice Course – Professional Risk & Liability in Construction Administration and Practice
Presenter (2012): Alabama Trails Conference, Destination Equestrian Park – The Story of Rock Bridge Canyon & Sustainable Economic Development
Guest Speaker (2013): Sewanee University – University of the South, Land Use Policy Course – Regional Land Use Policy on the South Cumberland Plateau
Presenter (2013): Tennessee Renewable Energy & Economic Development Council, East Tennessee Forum – Ducktown Sustainable Economic Development and the 28KW Process
Presenter (2013): Your Town Webinar, The Story of Rock Bridge Canyon & Sustainable Economic Development
Presenter (2013): Tennessee American Planning Association (TAPA) Fall Conference - Sustainable Economic Development Through Asset Based Design & Planning
Presenter (2014): Alabama American Planning Association, Spring Professional Development Workshop, Sustainable Economic Development through Leveraging of Local Environmental, Social and Historical Assets
Presenter (2014): Alabama Trails Conference, Adventure Tourism as an Economic Driver – Man’s Life in Sickness and in Health is Bound up In the Forces of Nature and that Nature Must be Treated as an Ally.
Awards:
City of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Low Impact Development Design Challenge, Second Place for the Cherokee Boulevard Design Category (2014)
State of Alabama, Trail Design Award for Most Outstanding Trail System, Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail (2014)
Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Clean Air Excellence Award: To the City of Ducktown for the Ducktown 28 Photovoltaic Solar Array in the Community Action category (2014)
Tennessee Municipal League, State Wide Green Leadership Award for the Ducktown 28KW Photovoltaic System Project Process and Implementation (2012)
Tennessee Municipal League, Best Planning Document, Pikeville, Tennessee Downtown Redevelopment Plan (2010)
Recipient of the College of Architecture, Design & Construction, Outstanding Graduate Student in Community Planning (2003)
Alabama City County Managers Association Summer Scholarship in Community Planning & Local Government Management (2003)
Experience:
Farmer | Morgan, LLC Urban Planning, Design, Construction Management, Present
Northwest Alabama Council of Local Government Director of Community Planning, Muscle Shoals, AL, May 2004 - June 2007
Center for Architecture and Urban Studies (CAUS) Landscape Architecture and Design
Consultant, Birmingham, AL, January - May 2004
East 40 Degrees Architecture and Planning Publications Specialist, Auburn, AL, Fall 2003 - June 2004
Auburn University Graduate Teaching Assistant, Auburn, AL, 2002 - 2003
Auburn University Graduate Research Assistant, Auburn, AL, 2001 – 2002
Relevant Work
Planning & Project Development:
Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital Site Redevelopment Plan - Florence, AL (2020)
Downtown Walkability Assessment & Improvement Plan - Whitesburg, KY (2020)
Lewis County Blueway Signage Project - Lewis County, TN (2020)
Dunaway Hunting & Fishing Club Architectural Reviews - Dunlap, TN (2020)
Bledsoe County Landfill: Methane Monitoring, Comprehensive Site Inspection, Groundwater Monitoring - Bledsoe County, TN (2020)
Van Buren County Landfill: Groundwater Monitoring & Analysis and Comprehensive Site Inspection -
Van Buren County, TN (2020)
Overton County Landfill: Quarterly Methane Monitoring & Groundwater Monitoring - Overton County, TN (2020) Cumberland County Landfill: Quarterly Methane Monitoring, Groundwater Monitoring, & Comprehensive Site Inspection - Cumberland County, TN (2020)
Felts Landfill: Quarterly Methane, Leachate Pre-Treat, Groundwater, & Stormwater Monitoring -
DeKalb County, TN (2020)
Midway Landfill: Quarterly Methane and Groundwater Monitoring - DeKalb County, TN (2020)
Macon County Landfill: Quarterly Methane & Groundwater Monitoring - Macon County, TN (2020)
Pilgrim’s Pride Redevelopment Plan - Athens, AL (2019)
Analysis of Impediments Study to Fair Housing Choice & 5-Year Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development - Cleveland, TN (2019)
Bledsoe Recreation Feasibility Study – Bledsoe County, TN (2019)
Land Use Analysis & Utilization Study - Dade County, GA (2019)Middlesboro Trace District Area-Wide Plan – Middlesboro, KY (2018)
Van Buren County Parks and Recreation Master Plan – Van Buren County, TN (2017)
Sequatchie-Bledsoe Tourism Asset Development Plan – Dunlap, TN (2017)
Valley Fest Recreation Master Plan – Dunlap, TN (2017)
Highway 182 Corridor Redevelopment Plan - Starkville, MS (2016)
Reelfoot Packing Plant Redevelopment Plan - Union City, TN (2016)
Lauderdale County Hazard Mitigation Plan – Florence, AL (2015)
Lawrence County Hazard Mitigation Plan – Moulton, AL (2015)
Putnam County Habitat for Humanity, West End Neighborhood Master Plan – Cookeville, TN (2014)
Doe Mountain Recreation Area, Management Plan - Johnson County, TN (2014)
Cumberland Historic Byway Corridor Management Plan - Cumberland Plateau, TN (2013)
City of Saltillo Brownfield Redevelopment Plan – Saltillo, TN (2013)
Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park, Business Plan – Hodges, AL (2012)
Southern Gulf Off Road Park, Business Plan – Coalmont, TN (2012)
Hodges Equestrian Trails Feasibility Study – Hodges, AL (2012)
Hodges Economic Development Study – Hodges, AL (2011)
Monteagle 20/20 – A Corridor Master Plan – Monteagle, TN (2010)
Pikeville Downtown Redevelopment Plan – Pikeville, TN (2010)
Dunlap Greenway Master Plan – Dunlap, TN (2010)
Lauderdale County Hazard Mitigation Plan – Florence, AL (2010)
Warren Branch Urban Stream Restoration Plan – Town Creek, AL (2010)
Alabama Association of Regional Councils (AARC) Illustrative Mapping & Economic Development Strategies Huntsville, AL (2010)
Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDEC) Water Line Easement Project – Bledsoe County, TN (2010)
Hackleburg Recovery Plan – Hackleburg, AL (2011)
City of Ducktown 200KW Photovoltaic Project Development – Ducktown, TN (2012)
Tracy City Trail Head – Tracy City, TN (2010)
Northwest Alabama Asset Based Economic Development Strategy – NACOLG (2011)
Alabama Consolidated Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the State of Alabama – Alabama Association of Regional Councils (AARC) (2010)
Waste Water Treatment and Water Filtration Plans - Guin, Rogersville, Vina and Littleville, AL (2010)
Rhea Springs Master Plan – Rhea County, TN (2012)
Design:
The Pointe STEP Sewer Collection System (2020)
Water Treatment Plant Bleach Conversion - Dunlap, TN (2020)
Industrial Water Tank Renovations - Dunlap, TN (2020)
Stepping Stone Road Waterline Extension - Dunlap, TN (2020)
Bledsoe County Library Roof Renovations - Pikeville, TN (2020)
Water for Agriculture Project - Marion County, AL (2020)
Bledsoe Waterline Extension - South Cumberland Utility District, TN (2020)
Renegade Mountain Water System Extension - Crab Orchard Utility District (2020)Former Bledsoe County Department of Health Roof Renovations - Pikeville, TN (2020)
Nickajack Shores & Resort Permitting and Erosion Control - Marion County, TN (2019) Manderley Christian Camp & Conference Center Fire Prevention - Pikeville, TN (2019)
Bledsoe County Nursing Home Roof and Bathroom Renovations - Pikeville, TN (2019)
Main Street Pedestrian Enhancements, Phase III (2019)
Sequatchie River Access Point - Dunlap, TN (2019)
Volunteer Eye Care Flood Permit - Dunlap, TN (2018)City of Dunlap Multimodal Connector – Dunlap, TN (2018)
City of Dunlap Streetscape Project, Phase II – Dunlap, TN (2018)
City of Dunlap, Harris Park Renovations, Phase II – Dunlap, TN (2017)
Hartman Circle Culvert Replacement – Dunlap, TN (2018)
Wagner Street Sewer Extension – Dunlap, TN (2018)
Copper Basin Medical Center Roof Replacement – Ducktown, TN (2018)
Carter Residence Landscape Master Plan – Athens, AL (2017)
Dunlap Industrial Park Improvements - Access Road & Pump Station – Dunlap, TN (2017)
Dunlap Coops Creek Greenway Project, Phase II – Dunlap, TN (2017)
Ducktown Green Infrastructure – Ducktown, TN (2016)
Ducktown Main Street Pedestrian Enhancement Project, Phases I & II - Ducktown, TN (2016)
State Route 28 Re-Striping Design Plans – Dunlap, TN (2016)
Tennessee Central Heritage Trail, Phase II – Monterey, TN (2016)
City of Dunlap Streetscape Project, Phase I – Dunlap, TN (2015)
Dunlap Coops Creek Greenway Project, Phase I – Dunlap, TN (2015)
DURA Industrial Building Roof – Pikeville, TN (2015)
City of Monteagle Pedestrian Enhancement, Phase II – Monteagle, TN (2014)
City of Dunlap, Harris Park Renovations, Phase I – Dunlap, TN (2014)
City of Ducktown Greenway, Phase I – Ducktown, TN (2014)
Mountain Goat Trail, Phase III – Monteagle, TN (2013)
City of Monteagle Pedestrian Enhancement, Phase I – Monteagle, TN (2013)
Ducktown Housing Authority Accessibility Audit – Ducktown, TN (2013)
Pikeville Spring Street Enhancement Phase I – Pikeville, TN (2012)
Town Hall Renovation – Tracy City, TN (2011)
Ducktown Photovoltaic Farm – Ducktown, TN (2011)
U. S. Highway 41 Re-Striping Design Plans – Monteagle, TN (2011)
Phipps Park Bridge and Cultural Park – Coalmont, TN (2010)
Construction:
Old York Highway Over Pond Creek Bridge Replacement (2020)
Former Bledsoe County Department of Health Roof Renovations (2020)
Peerless Street Bridge Extension - Cleveland, TN (2020)
Macon County Landfill Methane Monitoring Well - Macon County, TN (2020)
Industrial Access Road & Pump Station Improvements - Dunlap, TN (2020)
Bledsoe County Department of Health Construction (2019)
Bledsoe County Nursing Home Roof & Bathroom Renovations (2019)Main Street Pedestrian Improvements, Phase I & II - Ducktown, TN (2018)
Coops Creek Greenway Enhancements Project, Phase I & II - Dunlap, TN (2019 & 2015)
Precision Military Aerodynamics Facility Upgrades - Dunlap, TN (2017)
Dunlap Streetscape Project, Phase I - Dunlap, TN (2015)
Ducktown, Greenway Phase I - Ducktown, TN (2015)
Monteagle, Mountain Goat Trail, Phase III – Monteagle, TN (2014)
Monteagle Pedestrian Enhancement, Phase I – Monteagle, TN (2014)
DURA Industrial Building Roof Construction Inspection and Project Administration – Pikeville, TN (2014)
Ducktown 28KW Photovoltaic Project – Ducktown, TN (2011)
Tracy City Town Hall Renovations – Tracy City, TN (2011)
Pikeville Main Street Improvements – Pikeville, TN (2010)
Project Administration of the Winston County Courthouse Renovations – Winston County, AL (2008)
Project Administration of the Pastime Theatre Historic Renovations – Winfield, AL (2008)