Zachariah Ben is a sixth-generation Navajo farmer and traditional sand painter based in Shiprock, New Mexico. He is of the Giant People clan, born for the Red Running Into Water clan, and carries forward ancestral teachings rooted in land, culture, and responsibility.

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Blending Indigenous knowledge with modern enterprise, Zach is the co-founder and owner of Bidii Baby Foods, a Navajo-registered agricultural cooperative producing organic Indigenous baby foods. He manages a 30-acre organic farm in Gadii’ahi, New Mexico, sustaining traditional food systems while creating locally rooted economic opportunities. His work reflects a deep commitment to food sovereignty, intergenerational knowledge transfer, and community-led development.

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Zach’s leadership extends beyond entrepreneurship. He has long served his community through ceremony, agricultural stewardship, and food access initiatives, including supporting families in some of the most remote areas of the Navajo Nation during the pandemic. His work bridges tradition and innovation, honoring cultural continuity while building practical pathways for future generations.

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At his core, Zach views leadership as stewardship, an ongoing responsibility grounded in service, resilience, and collective wellbeing.