About MushLoon
Our Story & Mission
Our Mission
MushLoon collaborates with the creative and transformative abilities of the Fungal Queendom to heal minds, bodies, and environment.
We are dedicated to cultivating high-quality, organic performance mushrooms using regenerative agriculture practices. With our new large-scale growing facility in Smartsville, CA, we provide fresh and dried mushrooms, powders, and value-added products to local markets, chefs, and health-conscious consumers.
Our Journey
Football Field to Fungi
Frank's path to mushrooms began in an unexpected place—the football field at Stanford University. As a pre-med Human Biology student and starting safety for the Cardinal, Frank developed a profound appreciation for how nutrition impacts physical performance and overall well-being.
After graduating, Frank's interest in holistic health led him to join the founding team at DailyDoctor, a remote patient monitoring company, where he served as Head of Product for over three years. His journey then shifted toward ecological restoration, establishing an education-focused nonprofit farm at S&S Friendly Ranch, all while deepening his commitment to exploring how environmental factors influence human health.
The Mushroom Maestro
Inspired by the film Fantastic Fungi during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jake discovered a passion for mushrooms that quickly blossomed into expertise. With over five years of specialized experience in mushroom cultivation and biological systems, Jake blends scientific rigor with artistic creativity at MushLoon. Certified by Dr. Ingham's Soil Food Web School and holding a B.S. in Integrative Biology, Jake's dual identity as a biologist and musician shapes MushLoon's distinctive, sensory-driven approach.
Jake designed and built our original off-grid mushroom farm, Torus, in San Diego, pioneering advanced techniques in substrate preparation, environmental control, and quality assurance. His integration of music and mycology manifests vividly in MushLoon's unique "Mushrooms & Music" experiences.
When Paths Converged
Fate has a funny way of connecting like-hearted souls. When Jake booked a stay at Frank's Airbnb campsite on S&S Friendly Ranch, neither could have predicted the partnership that would bloom. During Jake's stay, his profound knowledge of mycology and passionate discussions about the healing potential of fungi opened Frank's mind to new possibilities.
That serendipitous meeting sparked a collaboration that would become MushLoon—a synthesis of Frank's dedication to health and ecological restoration with Jake's mycological expertise and artistic vision. Together, they cultivate performance mushrooms with intention, nourishing both body and soul, and celebrating the interconnectedness of all living beings.
Meet Our Founders
Frank Buncom IV
Mushroom Mission Navigator
Frank balances his role at MushLoon with his work at New Leaf Climate, where he employs innovative financing strategies to advance ecological restoration projects nationwide.
Jake Jarz
Mushroom Maestro
In addition to his mycology expertise, Jake operates a community composting hub with the California Alliance for Community Composting.
Our Facilities
Growing Roots in Grass Valley
In the summer of 2025, MushLoon expanded to a larger cultivation facility in Smartsville, California, nestled in the foothills near Grass Valley. This significant growth allows us to increase production capacity while maintaining our commitment to quality and sustainability.
Our new facility features expanded growing rooms, enhanced climate control systems, and improved substrate preparation areas—soon-to-be powered by solar energy. Nestled next to Nevada County's thriving agricultural community, we're now able to source even more materials locally and serve a broader Northern California market while maintaining our roots in regenerative cultivation practices.
Where It All Began: San Diego
Our journey began in San Diego with Torus, our original 50ft retired refrigerated trailer converted into an off-grid, solar-powered mushroom growing space at S&S Friendly Ranch. This innovative proof-of-concept demonstrated that premium mushrooms could be cultivated sustainably in repurposed spaces.
Torus will always hold a special place in our hearts as the birthplace of MushLoon. It was there we dialed in our cultivation techniques, developed our signature blends, and proved that container farming could produce exceptional mushrooms. The lessons learned and relationships built in San Diego continue to guide our mission as we grow.
While our production has moved north, we maintain strong ties to the San Diego community and continue supporting local regenerative agriculture initiatives through our MycoRx program in the Tijuana River watershed.