About Us
Dr. Leslie K. Bender Jutzi, J.D.
Dr. Leslie Bender Jutzi is the co-founder of Futures Farm, an interactive regenerative demonstration farm and youth camp designed to reconnect young people with the land through sustainability, self-reliance, and hands-on education. With more than 35 years of executive experience in business development, regulatory compliance, and education leadership, Leslie brings strategic vision and a deep sense of purpose to the farm’s mission of cultivating capable, conscientious future leaders.
A scholarship recipient at Michigan State University and Chicago-Kent College of Law, Leslie began her career in legislative affairs, later building a successful law and lobbying practice representing Fortune 200 companies. Her path evolved toward education and community empowerment, where she became known for her work at the intersection of technology, learning, and opportunity. As a leader in the esports and gaming industry, she has guided national initiatives that expand access to STEM education and career pathways for students in rural communities.
Leslie’s contributions have earned her multiple honors, including the District Administrator of the Year Award from the Texas Computer Education Association and the Minority Business Leader Award from the Dallas Business Journal. A lifelong advocate for service-driven leadership, she believes in using innovation and collaboration to uplift others.
At Futures Farm, Dr. Bender Jutzi leads the development of youth training programs and strategic partnerships that integrate modern agricultural technology with practical, real-world learning. She oversees curriculum design, workforce readiness initiatives, and the implementation of smart-farming tools that prepare students for emerging green careers. Her leadership ensures that the farm operates not only as a model of sustainability but also as a living classroom—where innovation, stewardship, and community engagement grow side by side.
When she’s not shaping programs or mentoring youth, Leslie enjoys hiking, fishing, and traveling. Her work and life reflect a shared vision with her co-founder — that a better future begins by teaching people to care for the earth, for one another, and for the communities we build together.
Mr. Shawn Hamilton, B.S.
Shawn Hamilton is the co-founder of Futures Farm, an interactive regenerative demonstration farm and youth camp dedicated to inspiring the next generation to live in harmony with the land. Combining education, sustainability, and adventure, Futures Farm serves as a living classroom where young people learn essential life skills rooted in stewardship, resilience, and respect for nature.
With more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, alongside a strong background in excavation and custom carpentry, Shawn brings both precision and practicality to the farm’s operations. His expertise in land and building care ensures that Futures Farm remains not only functional and sustainable but also a space that fosters creativity, learning, and community.
A graduate in Business Management, Shawn blends entrepreneurial vision with a deep commitment to service. His curriculum at the farm focuses on wilderness survival, disaster preparedness, ham radio operation, and ethical hunting and fishing practices — disciplines that cultivate confidence, responsibility, and connection to the natural world.
An avid outdoorsman, Shawn finds purpose and peace in the wild — whether chasing whitetails through the woods or reeling in walleyes beneath a rising sun. As a father to a 12-year-old daughter, he strives to model a life built on integrity, kindness, and gratitude. Guided by his belief that “everything good in life that has ever happened to me is the direct result of doing something good for someone else,” Shawn’s leadership is rooted in generosity and a genuine desire to uplift others.
Deeply concerned about the current state of the global food supply, Shawn advocates for a return to regenerative practices and local self-reliance. His favorite saying — “Better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener at war” — reflects his philosophy of preparedness, peace, and purposeful living. Through his work at Futures Farm, Shawn continues to empower youth and adults alike to reconnect with the earth and take responsibility for a sustainable future.
