Before becoming Side Step Farms, the 80-acre parcel was more commonly known as the original Hogenson Farm, later depicted in a short memoir titled ‘Capturing Dad: The Farm on Hogenson Road’. Purchased by the Hogensons in the early 1900s, the family led a diversified operation of chickens, pigs, dairy cattle, field crops, and hay production. Some of which the current owners hope to restore soon. To this day, the farmstead is located toward the end of South Hogenson Road on the dividing line of Scottville and Pentwater, Michigan.

Though Megan and Molly did not have the opportunity to acquire such an iconic generational farm from the Hogensons themselves, the two Marine Corps Veterans officially purchased it in 2019 as first-generation farmers. At that time, the land consisted of approximately 39 acres of unmanaged forest, 36 acres of tillable soil, and 5 acres of buildings or turf grass.

 Over the next several years, they’ve prioritized sustainability by transitioning cash crop fields to native grasslands for rotational grazing and hay production, implementing a no till market garden for fresh naturally grown produce, reconstructing historic barns for livestock shelters, building hoop houses for Michigan native perennial and produce germination, cultivating local partnerships like the Lakeshore Food Club and Pentwater Yacht Club, all while adding laying hens, draft horses, ADCA certified Dexter cattle, and an apiary to the farm-ily. 

Today, the Side Step is a Limited Liability Company (LLC) certified by the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). Growing without synthetic fertilizers, chemicals, antibiotics, or hormones while utilizing scalable land management practices to build self-sustaining ecological cycles rather than creating one that relies heavily upon inputs. Through these methods, we are improving our soil and increasing the resilience of the farm as a whole - don't hesitate to ask for a farm tour or our next community speaking engagement to learn more! Our past experiences, operational improvements, and gained knowledge are only a ‘success’ if shared.