Seeding Change in Central Asia, Part II: Meet Ben Brimlow

Photo: Ben Brimlow (left) taking a quick break with local farm operators.

Last summer, we announced an exciting new investment opportunity in Central Asia…

our impact investor network helped flagship partner, Oasis Agro, purchase 75 hectares (188 acres) of agricultural land outside the city of Bishkek.

The plan? Develop and produce better seeds for farmers in the region.

In Part 1 of this series, we dug into the ‘triple threat’ of the seed farm, a three-part approach to leveraging this unique real estate investment to the benefit and blessing of people all over Central Asia.

In Part 2 of this series, we’re excited to introduce Ben Brimlow and his family.

Ben’s journey from the US American agricultural industry to Central Asia reflects both a professional calling and a deeply personal mission.

What’s unfolding with his team on this farm is more than a project, it’s a process of testing and experimentation, of successes and failures as the team discovers what truly works on the field.

This growth process in Central Asian fields isn’t unlike raising kids, learning a new culture, and working to carve out a home in a totally new part of the world.

A Calling That Started Early

For Ben, this work didn’t come out of nowhere. It traces back to something he recognized early in life:

“This exact work has been a dream of mine since I was a teenager,” Ben shared via WhatsApp. “Seeing how food security affects everyday people and the importance of agricultural development overseas became very important to me at an early age.”

Ben spent the first 13 years his career working in the U.S. farming industry, enjoying a wide range of experience from research and development to commercial sales, from hands-on consulting to helping launch new agricultural markets, and those years provided a broad and practical foundation.

Looking back, it’s clear that this wasn’t just a career path—it was preparation.

All of those experiences now converge in Kyrgyzstan, where the challenges are different, but the underlying principles remain the same: understanding systems, solving problems, and helping agriculture function more effectively.

Photo: Ben (right) with his son (center) and a local colleague (left).

Faith as a Driving Force

While the professional journey explains part of the story, it doesn’t fully capture why Ben and his family made the move.

Agriculture isn’t just about productivity or economics; it’s also about serving people in a tangible way. Food is one of the most basic human needs, and contributing to food security is, in itself, a meaningful form of service, and it’s a sincere expression of his faith in Christ. As Ben put it,

“My faith is a huge motivator for me, and what an amazing opportunity to serve people’s everyday physical needs while also doing it as a person of passionate faith in God.”

That perspective influences not just what he does, but how he does it. It adds another layer of motivation, especially in a context where challenges are constant and progress can be slow.

A Family Decision Years in the Making

Moving halfway across the world isn’t a decision made lightly—especially with a family.

In Ben’s case, the idea had been on the table long before Kyrgyzstan entered the picture.

“Thankfully, way back before my wife and I got married, I had warned her that I’d really like to see our family moving abroad to serve in some way,” Ben laughed. “So I did warn her!”

Even so, the actual move came together in a way that felt less forced and more like a series of open doors. Opportunities emerged through this AgG network, connections formed, and gradually, what had once been an abstract idea became plane tickets and a plan.

Both he and his wife felt aligned in the decision, which made the transition possible.

There’s also a sense of intentionality when it comes to their children. Living abroad offers them a perspective they might not gain otherwise—a chance to experience different cultures, languages, and ways of life.

It’s not always easy, but it’s formative.

Photo: Ben & family riding horses in Kyrgyzstan.

The Reality on the Ground

For all the vision and purpose behind the move, daily life in Kyrgyzstan comes with its own set of challenges.

Language barriers, cultural differences, and unfamiliar systems can turn even simple tasks into complex ones. There’s a learning curve to almost everything, and progress often requires patience.

Ben describes it with a bit of humor: “One does not simply… [fill in the blank with any task here]” has become a mantra—a nod to the idea that almost nothing comes easily in this context.

It’s a mindset adjustment.

In the U.S., efficiency and predictability are often taken for granted. In Kyrgyzstan, those expectations don’t always hold. Delays happen. Processes take longer. Communication requires extra effort.

That reality can be frustrating, especially when there’s a lot to accomplish. But it also creates an opportunity to grow—to develop patience, adaptability, and a different kind of resilience.

Despite the challenges, the family is doing well. There are difficult days, just as there were back in the U.S., but the nature of those difficulties is different. Here, they’re tied more closely to the complexities of operating in a new culture very far from home.

Thanks to all of you who’ve helped make Ben’s work possible.

Many of you invested into Oasis Agro, attended networking gatherings like Joseph Summit, or simply donated to make sure people are fed and businesses are thriving, and we can’t wait to see how Ben, his family, and this farm continue to bring transformation to the region!