Who We Are

Some of the YardSprout team at the Abnudance Foundation HQ

Andrew Pearson, Founder & CEO. In forming YardSprout, Andrew sought out a team of colleagues who shared the passion for YardSprout’s mission, vision, and values, and had the skills essential to make the concept a reality. Among these skills are strong business backgrounds, grassroots marketing experience, technology prowess, entrepreneurial spirit and a range of gardening, landscaping, and farming knowledge.  All share a deep passion for the growing, local food economy.

Andrew graduated with an MBA in 2009 from UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. He co-founded his first successful startup in 2003. HomeTownRent.com became the nation’s largest rental property advertising platform for college towns with 6M annual site visitors in 2011.  Andrew has a background in entrepreneurship, marketing, management, fundraising, and environmental advocacy.  He also works part time as interim COO of local startup Fitsistant.com, and Marketing Director for angel-funded WindsorCircle.com.

Mr. Rob Morris, CTO, has worked as a lead programmer at Monster.com, StudentAdvisor.com and currently at SustainableIS.com. Rob worked for 3 years at HomeTownRent.com with Andrew.  Rob brings is a Ruby on Rails expert, and together with Andrew brings relevant knowledge from their past experience: lead generation, online listings and profiles, payment platforms, SEO, content management systems, and more.

Mia Farber, VP of Business Development, has a background in sustainable agriculture, working on business development and funding with Pennsylvania’s farming community with the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture. Mia cofounded Farm Market Services, LLC to support farmer’s market development and has been involved with the Chapel Hill Farmer’s Market and 2011 TerraVita Food & Wine Event. Mia is currently pursuing her MBA at UNC’s KFBS with a concentration in Sustainable Enterprise.

Kim Herold, VP of Design & Gardening, is a graphic & web designer, licensed massage therapist, and practicing gardener.  Kim lives in Pittsboro on a horse farm with a backyard vegetable garden, and has worked as contract web designer.  Kim was a member of YardSprout’s Startup Weekend team and designed our first logo.

Stuart Jeckel, VP of Sales, Marketing, & Landscaping, is an economics major from UNC, who works part time as a landscaper and farmer.  Stuart was YardSprout’s first intern, and is currently focusing on market research, customer interviews, and intern recruitment.

Andrea Wood, believes in collective action and does not believe in titles. An active community gardener, former farmers’ market manager and vendor and environmental activist, Andrea has extensive gardening and farming networks relevant to helping cultivate content for YardSprout.