Micro Biz News ~
Rooted in Service, Grown in Missouri
Monsta Farms Micro Cultivation
by Samantha Blum, contributing writer
Harvest Photo taken 11-30-2025.
Before Monsta Farms had a microbusiness license number or a dry room, there was a grow store. One of those places where people come to learn— talking plants, comparing notes, letting curiosity wander wherever it wants to go. That’ s where Shelly Stanley and Jared Saint first crossed paths. Their shared passion quickly turned into a friendship. Jared brought deep cultivation expertise, while Shelly contributed sharp business skills. Together, they formed a partnership built on complementary skills, a team uniquely positioned to navigate the challenges of launching Monsta Farms.
Jared’ s relationship with cannabis started early. He began cultivating at the age of 15, long before the industry took its current shape. Over time, the work taught patience and observation— skills later reinforced through his service in the Army. Those same qualities naturally transferred into his microbusiness cultivation skills, shaping the way Monsta Farms would eventually operate.
Applying for the microbusiness license was never tentative. As they put it,“ If we are applying, we are going to do this.” Once the process began, there was no pause or hesitation.“ We dove headfirst into the process without stopping till we reached our goal.”
10 January 2026
The name Monsta Farms reflects the personal nature of the business. It was inspired by a beloved family dog, Monster— an affectionate detail that stuck and became part of the farm’ s identity, adding warmth to a company built on focus and follow-through.
One of the achievements Monsta Farms is most proud of has nothing to do with scale.“ We take the most pride in how quickly we were able to bring our microbusiness to
Monster commencement without taking on significant debt,” said Jared. Staying disciplined with their budget allowed them to focus on building a solid foundation rather than chasing rapid expansion.
Inside the grow, that mindset is easy to see. With approximately 190 out of a possible 250 plants, Monsta Farms prioritizes quality over quantity. The operation is intentionally low-tech and highly hands-on. Plants are watered by hand every day, and nutrients are adjusted based on individual plant needs— not just by strain, but by careful observation.
Plant genetics come from a mix of local sources, connections within the cannabis community, and a collaboration with a seed company.
Current strains include Ed Rosenthal’ s Super Chocolate and Strawberry Cough, Frost Junky, MAC, Cap Junky, E85, and Violet Fog. With so many options available, narrowing the lineup is never simple. Plans to expand offerings and explore new flavors remain part of the long-term vision.
The first harvest marked a meaningful milestone. Seeing flower hanging in the dry room brought the journey into focus.“ It feels amazing!” said Jared.“ The journey to get to harvest has been an adventure, and it is amazing to see the end result of all the hard work.” While dialing in a new environment presented challenges, the outcome was something the team felt proud to stand behind.“ We have an amazing product that we are excited to have others experience.”
Monsta’ s packaging highlights the company is,“ Veteran Owned Quality Grown.”
Monsta’ s long journey of hard work is rewarded by its first harvest and flower hanging to dry. Once processed, it will be packaged and for sale at dispensaries.( Photo taken on 11-02-2025.)
Behind that product is a small, dedicated team, each bringing a different strength to the operation. Jared, a disabled veteran and majority owner, leads cultivation with decades of hands-on experience. Shelly, co-owner, oversees the business side of operations, keeping everything organized, compliant, and moving forward. Chris Hampel handles sales and marketing, using his talent for communication and relationship-building to connect Monsta Farms with dispensaries and partners. Autumn Crunkleton rounds out the team, offering steady support and a fresh perspective that helps keep the operation balanced.
Packaging will begin after mandatory testing is completed. Once final results are in, Monsta Farms plans to move quickly toward shelves.
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