The nonprofit aims to help veterans reintegrate into civilian life.

Lost & Found Homestead Farms, an organization that will help homeless veterans build career skills through homesteading, plans to break ground in Hillsdale County this spring.

“Our mission is to provide an agricultural farming homestead community for veterans where they can rebuild their life and restore their purpose through stewardship of the land,” founder Kimberly Napier said.

Lost & Found will offer a three-year occupational training program that would include woodworking, livestock, cultivating crops, beekeeping, culinary, and canine training, Napier said. 

“This isn’t designed to be a destination. It’s a pathway,” Rob Calhoun, one of the organization’s board members, said. “The goal is to help veterans transition into permanent, independent living with the stability, skills, and confidence to succeed long-term. At its core, the model recognizes that purpose is not optional in recovery — it’s foundational to forward progress.”

The main goal of the program is to provide a path to homeownership and long-term reintegration into civilian life, according to the organization’s website. To obtain a VA mortgage, veterans must have three years of work and good credit. Lost & Found will help veterans meet those requirements and set up a savings account.

“The VA loan program is one of the most valuable benefits available to veterans. It creates access to homeownership with favorable terms that many would not otherwise have,” Calhoun said. “At the same time, eligibility does not automatically equal readiness. Homeownership requires financial stability, consistent income, and the ability to manage long-term responsibility. That’s where preparation becomes critical.”

Napier said she used to talk with a local homeless veteran who would pick through the trash can outside her workplace. 

“One day, he just disappeared, probably passed away. But he really imprinted on my soul,” Napier said. “In my head, I told myself when I win the lottery, I’m going to open up a community for veterans to help rebuild and reshape their lives. One day, I woke up and said you know what, I’m never going to win the lottery. I need to do this now.” 

The organization is in the formation and approval stage, according to its website. 

Napier said she will launch the program on a small scale at first. The initial project will cover about 40 acres in Hillsdale County for 20 veterans, but the long-term goal is to open homesteads across the country. 

The response from the local community and authorities has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Napier.

“Everybody has seen a need for this,” Napier said. “The state has been sending us grants that we could apply for. We’re not pushing real hard for donations right now, but that will unfold very quickly.” 

Lost & Found has not yet bought the land for the project. 

“If there are any farmers out there who have a piece of land that they feel would work, please reach out,” Napier said. 

According to Calhoun, Lost & Found will be built around restoration through participation. 

“Veterans aren’t treated as occupants,” Calhoun said. “They’re active participants in a working agricultural community. They contribute. They build skills. They operate within a structured environment that reflects many of the positive aspects of military life — accountability, teamwork, and mission-based responsibility.”

Peter Jennings, a veteran and associate professor of leadership studies at Hillsdale College, said he commends the project. 

“We need more service organizations — private voluntary organizations committed to serving some neglected population in our society,” Jennings said. “It seems like a very challenging and difficult vision to bring to fruition. I wish them success.”