Jesus Benitez is the Grower at the Gardens at Ball and supervises cultural trials for Ball Horticultural in West Chicago, Illinois. Jesus’s interest in agriculture was influenced by his small hometown of Aibonito, Puerto Rico, otherwise known as the City of Flowers, where plants are a big deal and a part of everyday life. Being raised in such an environment led Jesus to earn his BS degree in Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences from the University of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. It is here where his attention to detail and competitiveness took off, whether it was growing the largest pumpkin in a friendly competition or getting first prize for his research paper on sustainable farming in small / low-income communities. As the Grower for the Gardens at Ball, Jesus is responsible for sowing and growing many trials including the AAS trials judged on the Ball Horticultural Grounds. He enjoys the many challenges that are presented to him and loves dealing with the many oddities the horticultural industry provides.