Benjamin Ray Griffin

Benjamin Ray Griffin

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Ben is the founder and president of Greener Living, Inc. and has been involved in the fields of sustainability, natural and green building, energy efficiency and renewable energy for over a decade. Though he claims to have started his career in natural building while playing in his sand box as a child, he has since been involved in various building projects around the world. More recently, Ben has received a Certificate in Permaculture and Agroforestry from the Institute of Permaculture in Bahia, Brazil and a Natural Building Certificate from Yestermorrow Design/Build School in Warren, VT. He has also received the United States Green Building Council's LEED AP credential with a specific accreditation in residential homes.

Prior to his acceptance in Gaia University, Ben attended the University of Montana, studying in the Natural Resources department. Overwhelmed by a feeling that he wanted more out of secondary education, he enrolled in Burlington College’s Independent Study Degree Program. While finding delight and purpose in creating his own curriculum based on sustainable building and design, the program lacked the peer and advisor support that Ben had hoped to find. Still searching for a Bachelor’s degree that fit his interests and passions, he found Gaia University and a symbiotic, action-learning relationship began.

The overarching theme of Ben’s work at Gaia University was sustainability, on both personal and planetary levels. Much of his capstone year involved the development of an independent, small business and a substantial portion of his academic work details the processes of this journey.  Additionally, Ben focused on sustainability in personal relationships, using experiences with his life partner to share and relate ideas for healthy, personal connections. He also explored his own mind and academic habits in order to access modes of deeper and more concentrated learning.

Currently, Ben lives in Burlington, Vermont and serves on the Board of Directors for the Vermont Green Building Network. His web continues to grow as he brings varied and diverse groups of people together over the common bond of sustainability. In addition to his continuing work as a builder, Ben is also consulting with businesses on how to achieve more sustainable profits and operations. Hoping to stay connected with the Gaia U community, he is training to become an advisor and has already begun to mentor associates locally. Ben continues to weave many of Gaia University’s philosophies into the fabric of his personal relationships and professional projects.