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 while fostering regenerative agriculture. With our off-grid, solar-powered growing facility, we provide fresh and dried mushrooms, powders, and value-added products to local markets, chefs, and health-conscious consumers.
Our Journey
From 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 Torus, our off-grid mushroom farm, 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 two years ago 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 Facility
Our mushrooms are cultivated in Torus, a 50ft retired refrigerated trailer converted into an off-grid, solar-powered mushroom growing space located at S&S Friendly Ranch in San Diego, CA. This innovative approach enables us to create ideal growing conditions year-round, significantly reducing our environmental footprint.
We utilize substrates made from locally-sourced sawdust, straw, and agricultural byproducts, minimizing waste and supporting circular agriculture. The climate-controlled environment ensures consistent, premium-quality performance mushrooms regardless of external weather conditions.
Our Values
At MushLoon, these five core values guide everything we do — from cultivation practices to community engagement.
Environmental Regeneration
We go beyond sustainability to actively enhance the ecosystems we touch. Through our cultivation practices, waste cycling, and community engagement, we create net-positive environmental impacts. We measure our success not by how little harm we cause, but by how much healing and abundance we generate for our planet.
Transformative Healing
We believe in the profound healing potential of fungi—from physical performance to mental clarity. We are committed to making these benefits accessible while honoring the wisdom and power inherent in these organisms.
Conscious Cultivation
Every mushroom we grow is tended with intention, awareness, and respect. We recognize that our energy and attention influence our cultivation, and we approach our work as a relationship rather than merely a production process.
Continuous Learning
The Fungal Queendom contains ancient wisdom and endless discovery. We maintain humility and curiosity, constantly evolving our understanding and practices as we learn from both scientific research and traditional knowledge.
Joyful Presence
We bring lightness, wonder, and joy to our work, recognizing that fungi themselves teach us about interconnection, adaptation, and transformation. We cultivate not just mushrooms, but also delight in the journey of growth.
Coming Soon
We're thrilled to announce that our initial product line will be launching at the end of this month! Our offerings will include:
Performance Tinctures
Premium dual-extracted tinctures from Lion's Mane, Reishi, and more.
Dried Mushrooms
Carefully dried and packaged functional mushrooms and powders.
Tea Blends
Collaborative blends with Azili Herbs featuring our mushrooms.