Benjamin Lentz

About Benjamin Lentz

Benjamin Lentz is an agricultural production and extension expert with 30 + years of experience in agricultural development in Africa. Fluent in French language skills, Mr. Lentz has extensive project management experience. He has a solid track record leading and providing technical assistance to civil society strengthening, market driven, private sector oriented, value chain and agribusiness economic development projects, and multi-sector initiatives integrating youth, gender, nutrition, policy, climate smart agricultural practices and resilience particularly in Francophone countries, including Guinea, Burundi, the Central African Republic, DRC, Mali, and Togo. For 21 years he has led complex, integrated USAID and Feed the Future funded agribusiness projects that have created jobs and increased farmer incomes by strengthening producer organizations and improving the skills of agricultural value chain participants in business, governance, natural resources management, community health, and literacy. Mr. Lentz has fostered women\'s empowerment through functional and financial literacy, leadership and the community based village financial platforms. Strong experience in local systems strengthening and in local staff capacity building as well as the development and implementation of project M & EL systems. Skilled in private, public partnership development, farming systems, preparation of training materials for community based organizations. Served in the Peace Corps/ Togo. Excellent written, analytical, interpretive and IT skills. Successful proposal writer. Specialties: International Development, Program Management- Chief of Party, Market Systems/Value Chain Specialist, Monitoring and Evaluation, Soil Chemistry/Soil Fertility, Farming Systems Research, International Agricultural Extension, Rural Cooperative Development, Participatory and Experiential Adult Training Program Design and Delivery, Training of Trainers, Civil Society Strengthening and Local Governance, Client Relations,

Experience

1. Senior Associate Ii, Agriculture and Economic Growth

   Tetra Tech

   Oct 2022 — Present

   A leader within the sector specializing in agricultural value chains, market systems development, private sector engagement and resilience; providing mentorship to colleagues while supporting new business development, managing and backstopping active projects, client and partner relationships and providing technical and strategic thought leadership.

Education

• Colby College

  A.B., Biology and Applied Ecology

  1977 — 1981

• Michigan State University

  M.Sc., Crop and Soil Sciences (focus soil fertility/soil chemistry), Agricultural Extension and low input s

  1986 — 1989

• Colby College

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Biology and Applied Ecology