Five-year-old Builds Egg Business One Carton At a Time

At 5 years old, Benton Geiger already has a business, a growing customer base, and a savings goal. Benton began selling eggs at a young age, initially supplying family members, friends, and neighbors with eggs from the chickens he helps raise at his family’s farm, Bent N’ Rusty Ranch, near Nine Mile Falls. His mother, Shea Bloom, said he is ready to take his small operation to more members of the community. “My son started selling eggs at 3 years old to friends and family,” Bloom wrote when announcing the expanded operation.

“After two years he is ready to expand to neighbors and the community.” Every dollar Benton earns goes into his piggy bank. “He says he’s saving up for a truck like his daddy,” Bloom said. She said Benton’s interest in farm life began shortly after the family purchased an old farmhouse when he was 2 years old. “He showed an interest in animals early on, so when he was 3 years old he got to hand pick his first flock of chickens,” Bloom said. “And the joy it brought him was so pure. He’s cared for every little baby, hatched or brought home in a box.” The family quickly found themselves with more eggs than they could use. “Once they started laying eggs, we couldn’t keep up,” Bloom said. “He helps collect the eggs and put them into cartons. We started by selling to Granny Anny, then Aunt Marla, then some neighbors and friends,” Bloom said.

Benton’s favorite part is straightforward: collecting what the chickens produce. “He said his favorite part of chickens is collecting the eggs,” Bloom said. “A man who appreciates the fruits of labor, apparently.” The family has also tried to make the egg business about more than making money. “We’ve taught him that it is important to have enough so you can help others,” Bloom said. When Benton first began selling eggs, the family did not set a firm price and instead allowed customers to pay what they could. As the operation has grown into a small farmstand, they have tried to maintain that same philosophy. “When we started the farmstand, we wanted to keep that kindness, so we discounted for seniors and kept the prices affordable,” Bloom said. For years, customers largely found Benton’s eggs through word of mouth.

Now, Bloom said eggs are available from a stocked cooler at the family’s farmstand at 21223 W. Four Mound Road. Bloom said she also plans to create a social media page for the farm that would allow her to offer some of her own homemade farm goods alongside Benton’s eggs. “I am a stay-at-home mom,” Bloom said. “We live in a 1903 farmhouse with an 1894 barn. I always say it ain’t much, but it’s honest work.” For the family, the property has become a place where several of the things most important to them intersect. “Family, community, and history are all very special to us,” Bloom said. “So it’s been the perfect place to grow together.” Benton, meanwhile, has embraced farm life wholeheartedly. “Benton loves being a cowboy,” Bloom said. “He’s always dressing up with his boots, Wranglers, pearl snaps, and cowboy hats.”

Even Benton’s full name, Benton Rusty Geiger, carries a little bit of the family’s personality. “He’s actually named after his daddy’s junk truck obsession,” Bloom said. The chicken coop hasn’t been without its challenges, though; Bloom said once a coyote got into the coop and wiped out the flock. “That was a hard day. But the community was amazing and gifted (Benton) some ladies to rebuild his flock,” she said. His farmstand was also gifted to him by neighbor Bonnie Cobb, a volunteer at the nearby fire station. Benton bought his coop from a neighbor “who gave him a very good price,” Bloom said. Carton by carton, Benton collects the eggs, packages them, and adds the proceeds to his piggy bank, learning a little about work, saving, and community along the way. “He’s very fortunate to grow up in this community,” Bloom said. “Without it I don’t think he would have the opportunities that he does. I hope he grows up to know how blessed he is.”