Our Story

Hello, I’m Jon. Proud father, lucky husband and local mushroom farmer. I wasn’t always a farmer – I spent many years in the commercial real estate business before founding my mushroom company. I chose this path because I believe mushrooms can contribute to the greater good; the idea of growing healthy food for my family and community through sustainable methods was something I could be proud of, and I found hope in the idea of repurposing our waste, to help improve our soil for future generations.

Why We’re Doing This

After World War II, my grandfather and his brother founded a commercial real estate development firm in Baltimore. Over the decades, that business grew into one of the largest in the region, and much of their work focused on shaping the built environment of Baltimore City. Growing up, I spent a lot of time around that world—learning from my grandfather, my father, and others—not just about buildings, but the people and relationships inside. 

Cities are more than skylines and streets—they’re living systems. They reflect the values, priorities, and health of the people who live in them. Several years ago, I began paying closer attention to the growing vacancy issue in downtown office buildings—both in Baltimore and across the country. Like many, I was concerned about what it would mean for the health of our cities. Urban farming presented a possible use for these vacant buildings.

That’s why I founded Falls Road Mushroom Company—an urban farm dedicated to growing gourmet and functional mushrooms. Our mushrooms are cultivated in a controlled indoor environment using agricultural waste as our growing substrate. Because we mimic natural growing conditions, there’s no need for pesticides or fertilizers, and we can grow year-round.  Lastly, we are committed to repurposing our spent fruiting blocks, the byproduct of our process, into bioremediation and soil regeneration projects throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Helping to conserve and improve our natural environment for future generations.