David was raised in Ojai as the middle of 5 children where family vacations often involved camping at national parks and backpacking trips throughout the Los Padres National Forest. In high school he became interested in plant identification and exploring the surrounding mountains and rivers with friends. This led him to attend the University of Oregon where he majored in Environmental Studies and had an internship leading school field trips with Nearby Nature. While in Eugene, he learned urban farming and has spent much of the last decade as an organic farmer. He studied abroad in South Africa in college, spent time in Central America and has traveled throughout the US.

David also works at a local charter school, where he has helped plant a mini native forest as part of the restoration class.