About Hamilton Native Outpost

Mission
Hamilton Native Outpost strives to provide a variety of adapted native plants and the knowledge to establish and maintain them for ecosystem restoration, wildlife habitat, grazing, and beauty in low-maintenance landscapes.  Livestock adapted to the environment is a complementary enterprise.  We endeavor to share resource management concepts and provide a fulfilling livelihood for those who contribute to its success.  We value quality in our products and lives, effectiveness in producing our products in a sustainable system that benefits the land and people, and the uniqueness of each person involved.

How it came to be...
Rex and Amy Hamilton began harvesting, cleaning, and selling warm-season grasses in 1981; most of this seed was used to establish forage.  In the mid-80’s the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) created more demand for native grasses in an effort to reduce soil erosion.  As they spent time in the fields and on the prairies harvesting native grasses, Rex and Amy began to take note of the wildflowers.  They harvested their first wildflowers by hand in 1987; this part of the operation continued to expand from there.  Today, Hamilton Native Outpost has several hundred acres of native grass and wildflower seed production; they also work with several private growers.  Harvesting seed from Missouri’s remnant prairies continues to be an important way for HNO’s crew to learn about the plants in their native ecosystem as well as a valuable source of income for the prairie’s owners.

Livestock are, and always have been, an integral part of the operation.  The cow/calf herd is managed in such a way so as to complement seed production; at times, the cattle are used as a tool for managing the seed production fields.  Herbivores have always been a part of the Midwest’s grasslands, and, when managed properly, they can still be an important element.  Hamilton Native Outpost also raises pastured pigs; they spend nearly all of their lives on pasture and are also used to manage seed fields.

Meet the Crew

Rex and Amy Hamilton are the owners of Hamilton Native Outpost.  They serve as CEO as well as the production and personnel managers.

Joe Dixon is the office manager.  Other than keeping everyone in line and organized, Joe takes care of the day-to-day office activities and answers the phone. 

Elizabeth Hamilton-Steele, Rex and Amy’s daughter, also works in the office as the sales manager during winter and spring.  In summer and fall, Elizabeth is found in the field harvesting seed.      

Mike Motzkus is the manager of seed processing and also heavily involved with harvest at headquarters.  Lucky for us, Mike can fix nearly anything we break. 

Colt Hamilton, Rex and Amy’s son, manages the livestock operation.  He is also involved in seed production, harvest, and processing. 

Brooke Hamilton, of Grindstone Design Studio, is Rex and Amy’s daughter and is responsible for the look of Hamilton Native Outpost’s catalog and website.  She has also taken many of the photographs of the plants and landscapes at HNO. Check out more at www.grindstone-studio.com.

Loren Steele is responsible for bagging up and shipping seed.  He is also heavily involved in seed harvest and the livestock operation.