Meet our Farmers

Marsha Giambalvo Co-founder BDH

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Phone: 314-810-2685

Marsha's green thumb has been an integral part of Backdoor Harvest. She has been organic small-scale farming for over 20 years, starting early in life with her parents gardens. While expanding her knowledge of growing, she became part of an elite group who has been accepted into the MO Botanical Master Gardener Program. Marsha also volunteers with local community gardens in the St. Louis area.

Marsha is also an experienced beekeeper. She belongs to the Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association, and encourages anyone who has the slightest desire to keep bees to ask her questions... she can talk 'bees' all day... “I act like the bees and I have been best friends my whole life- and can’t be quiet about it…"

Daniel_Papkin

Daniel Papkin- Urban Farmer since 2010

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314-810-2684

Daniel has been gardening organically for over ten years. He began his professional career with Scrub Jay Studios, one of the West Coast’s premier native plant design firms. While there he learned all aspects of garden design and installation, eventually collaborating with company principal Andreas Hessing on many celebrated gardens. Also in Los Angeles, Mr. Papkin ran his own organic gardening service, Monkeyflower Farms.

He has studied native plant design and propagation at the Theodore Payne Foundation, Horticulture at Meramec College, and Biodynamics and beekeepping with Gunther Hauk as an intern at Spikenard Farm. Daniel is beginning his second year with Backdoor Harvest and is looking forward to another amazing season with even more delicious results.

Melissa Mohr Co-founder BDH
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Phone: 314-810-2684

Melissa is a graduate with a B.S. in Health Management/Sports Medicine. She was a starting Division I athlete for a highly decorated softball program. Melissa had been running two health club facilities, along with personal training private clients.“After that, I was looking to the next chapter in my life. I asked myself 3 questions. How can I: make a difference, make a living, and enjoy what I am doing?”
"Fresh farming is something I strongly believe in- fresh, local food is paramount for the well being of both the community and the earth. Helping people to both reconnect with the community-feel and stay active is where I choose to be. I believe that the career a person chooses is both an element of who they are and the difference they want to be a part of.”