When you meet Gavin Easley, you instantly get a sense of his drive and purpose. His story begins with a very international upbringing, having attended school in 11 different countries, and spans multiple careers with a lot of different defining experiences. But it was LAS that was one of the steps towards laying the foundation for the life he leads today: one with a strong sense of community and entrepreneurship.

Gavin came to LAS as the child of U.S. government workers. His parents’ agency paid for his tuition and travel to Switzerland, making it the seventh country he’d lived in by then. “I had no idea what to expect,” he says, “but I was beyond excited for the chance to live and learn in the Swiss Alps.” What he found was more than just an education. “The mountain atmosphere, the multicultural exposure, the academic excellence, and don’t get me started on the raclette!” he shares. 

LAS gave Gavin a strong academic experience, but more importantly, a sense of belonging. “The faculty felt like family. The friendships I formed are still some of the strongest in my life. I owe a lot to LAS; not just memories, but real opportunities as well. I even got my job at Google through a connection I made there.”

That sense of community has stayed with Gavin, but his path hasn’t been a linear one. After graduating from high school in Uganda, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Government and International Politics, followed by a Master’s degree in International Relations. He worked full-time while completing his degree, including roles at Google that were highly demanding. His ultimate goal was to join the Peace Corps, and after graduating, he served in the Dominican Republic, where he led programs in entrepreneurship and financial literacy. That experience was transformative for Gavin, who reflected, “I gained more in my time with the Peace Corps than I could possibly recount.”

Today, Gavin lives his dream full-time on BEZ Farms in Arkansas, where he and his wife, Amanda, are building a self-sustaining homestead that combines organic living with entrepreneurship. “We got tired of the concrete jungle,” he explains. “The corporate world has its benefits, but it’s easy to get caught up in a lifestyle that doesn’t really serve you. We wanted to get back to what matters: being connected to each other, to the earth, and our community.”

With chickens, cattle, and microgreens, BEZ Farms is more than a project, it’s a lifestyle with the aim of being as self-sufficient as possible while still generating a profit. The couple spends countless hours researching, learning, and applying knowledge, and despite having no generational farming background, they have successfully embarked on this challenging but rewarding project. Gavin puts it down to determination, curiosity, and a strong passion for the lifestyle they’ve chosen.

They’re also looking towards the future, developing programs for local schools, summer camps, and even hybrid homeschooling opportunities based on farming and sustainability. “We want this to be more than a farm. We want it to be a place where people learn, grow, and reconnect.” 

Gavin’s entrepreneurial mindset was shaped not only by his formal education but also by his international childhood, which gave him a deep understanding of diverse cultures and economic disparities. With a Ugandan-Tanzanian mother who served in the U.S. military and later held a senior role in USAID, Gavin grew up watching positive impact happen firsthand. Gavin credits his mother as the number-one inspiration for this entire endeavor: “Without her and her sacrifices, none of this would have ever been possible”, he shares. Exposure to global service, combined with his experience in the Peace Corps, taught him that success doesn’t necessarily come from a corporate lifestyle, but rather a strong connection to others and the earth. 

On the farm, he applies those same values and hopes to continue building the homestead with a focus on the outdoors and community, values he developed at LAS. As the couple continues to build BEZ Farms, they’re growing a life full of connectivity, community, and sustainability. As Gavin puts it, “The universe really does smile on you—if you’re open to receiving it.”