Ben Hood

Background

About Ben Hood

Ben Hood is the director of creative agency Hello Friday, based in regional South Australia developing web sites and brands for businesses throughout Australia, predominately in the primary industries.He is also the director, co-creator and illustrator of George the Farmer, an award-winning educational brand which teaches children about farming practices along with how food and fibre are produced through picture books, music, videos, apps, performance and curriculum-aligned educator guides.Fifty cents from the sale of each George the Farmer picture book is reinvested into creating free educational resources for teacher’s to use in the classroom. Over the past 6 months, there have been over downloads of the resources which have attributed to over children’s education about agriculture.Through the books and resources, children are encouraged to learn about food, but also consider innovative careers in agriculture.George the Farmer is connecting consumers back to the source of their food which gives them a greater understanding of the risks and issues involved in farming as well as an appreciation of the effort that goes in to producing the clean, green, safe food that we’re lucky to enjoy here in Australia.Ben has received a number of awards including the 2016 Google Australia Regional Online Hero, the 2015 Flinders University Education Award as well as being short-listed for the 2012 Australian Desktop Magazine Create Awards.He is passionate about regional and rural Australia, food, music, children and education.Ben has served on a variety of committees and boards including the South Australian Graphic Design Association, the Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce of which he is Vice President and he is an alternate director of the philanthropic organisation, Stand Like Stone Foundation. Ben also supports and consults for many organisations including the RFDS, Mount Gambier Pioneers Basketball team and Stand Like Stone Foundation.