More Than a Homestead

Justin Hampton picks leaves of lettuce for dinner, next to their only watermelon that grew, on September 17, 2021 at their home in Mecosta, Michigan.

Moss-n-Mushrooms is a homestead tucked away in Mecosta, Michigan, owned by two Metro Detroit Natives taking a leap of faith in themselves with the help and support of a community that they have created.

When you pull up to the property you know it must be their house with a bright teal mailbox and a cute little produce stand built by Justin Hampton.

Justin and Sara both grew up in the Metro Detroit area, farming was not a part of their lives until a couple of years ago. Originally Sara worked an office job, Justin was a stay at home dad for their two daughters, Lilly (8) and Lucia (6). They owned a beautiful house, Sara was at a great spot in her career, yet they were unhappy. After many conversations on what they could do to improve their lives, they realized selling their home and moving out to the country was the answer. They took their life savings, invested in a property and had enough faith in themselves they could make this dream work.

Lucia Hampton, 6, struggles to open a jar of jelly to make herself an after school snack, at her home in Mecosta, Michi. on Sept. 17, 2021.

In 2019 they purchased 30 acres with a modest house and a giant barn in Mecosta county. Justin is a very skilled woodworker, and your usual jack of all trades. The amount of work he has done on the house, structures that have been built on the property, all done by him and with the help of their burner community. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, Urban Dictionary defines burner as someone who participates in the burner community, which is largely composed of people who regularly participate in fire festivals, such as Burning Man.

Hampton make a face to get a laugh and poke fun at their gardening skills with a carrot they grew in Mecosta, Michi. on Sept. 18, 2021.

The Hampton’s goats and trusted farm dog, Buddy come up to see what’s going on in Mecosta, Mich. on Sept. 27, 2021.

Moving out to the country was not just for the idea of living off the land, they also had a dream of turning the property into a place they could host burns (fire festival) at. Throughout being in this community they have come to find a second family that loves and supports them. “Absolutely this move would not have been possible if it wasn’t for all the help we have received” stated Sara while she was doing the dishes.

Once a month during the warmer months, they host a “Work/Play Weekend”. Friends from all over come to help them work the land and help get whatever they need done. Some drive up to three hours just to come and work all weekend and help with clearing and maintaining the land or help build structures around the property. The September Work/Play had roughly 20 people that came to help out. The people attending all echoed the same statement of love and appreciation for what Justin and Sara are doing. Not only are Sara and Justin taking pride and seeing the potential of their land, they also have a small community that wants to be a part of that.

Hampton (right) and Mike Sebolka (left) secure hardware on a support beam for the jungle gym in Mecosta, Mich. on Sept. 17, 2021.

This Work/Play weekend had the main goal of finishing the platforms for an adult sized jungle gym that was donated by another burner community as well as clear out some new campsites for future events. Justin conducted this operation with life long friend Mike Sebolka as they took a creative angle in building this structure. A tractor with a forklift was being used with a pallet for a platform so they could get as high up as they needed to be.

Hampton (behind) and Sebolka (front) work on putting the corner holds up for the top platform of the jungle gym on their forklift made platform in Mecosta, Mich. on Sept. 17, 2021.

Some of their community isn’t able to help support them in ways of labor, some of the support they received comes in financially as well. Just recently a go-fund me was set up to fund the building of the nicest privies I have personally ever seen and the transportation of the jungle gym along with new hardware for the structure.

Hampton works on splitting wood for the upcoming winter months in Mecosta, Mich. on Sept. 28, 2021.

It hasn’t always been easy, there have been times when they questioned if what they were doing was the right thing. Working through the self doubts, dealing with the challenges of raising chickens, ducks and goats for the first time, as well as moving three hours away from all of their family and friends, Justin and Sara have found continued success. As they talked about the property and what they want to accomplish, the list is filled with big ideas that are all within arms reach. In a short amount of time they have turned a property out in the middle of no where to a place where they can grow their ideas with endless possibilities.

The up coming winter months have them in prep mode. Justin is scheduled to have shoulder surgery in December, which means he won’t be able to split wood or plow the snow out of the driveway and paths to get to the goats. These jobs that Justin takes responsibility for will be left up to Sara.