The Next Generation of the Ball Family

Chris Beytes

With Anna Ball at the helm, Ball Horticultural Company (Ball Publishing’s owner), is a third-generation company. But wait, news flash! Ball is now a fourth-generation company, thanks to the full-time employment of Peregrine Ball, son of Dexter Ball, Anna’s brother. Peregrine, 21, has taken a position as Supply Manager—Branded Containers. This role entails working with the purchasing and operations side of plant labels, Ball branded containers and numerous point-of-purchase materials.

Although to be fully transparent, Peregrine has been working here since August of 2014, first in Seed Distribution and then Supplier Relations. He’s also helped out in the garden during the summers.

However, while Peregrine may be the first of the fourth generation to take a full-time permanent position in the family business, he’s not the only fourth-generation Ball working here. Anna’s daughter, Susannah, has worked here seasonally for years, spending time in multiple divisions. But she also also works summers at a farm in New York. Peregrine’s sister Caroline worked in Customer Relations for about a year before joining her new husband’s company. His brother Dexter has worked several seasonal and internship stints in the gardens, the Finance Department and in the Seed area. His sister Alexandra has also done some summers in the gardens and a brief stint in the Marketing Department. And his older brother and sister, Alex and Sarah, have also done summer garden work and internships.

In other words, the family business will be in good hands. But Peregrine makes it officially official: The next generation is in the house! GT