Learn edible mushroom cultivation this spring

ANNOUNCING SPRING 2012 MUSHROOM CLASSES

many classes are hands-on

NEWFIELD, NY -- Work With Nature, LLC is pleased to announce a series of Mushroom classes to be offered March through June in the Northeastern states of New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.

The classes all focus on different elements of mushroom cultivation and the link of mushrooms to healthy forests, soils, and people. Host sites for the eleven classes include Cornell Cooperative Extension offices, permaculture
demonstration sites, and a range of local farms.

Workshops are being supported by the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute and the Northeast Mushroom Growers Network.

Oysters consuming oil (Source: Fungi Perfecti)

Mushroom cultivation and wild foraging have become increasingly popular in recent years as growing interest in the organism has led to a range of discoveries, from the compounds in shiitake mushrooms that prevent cancer to
the potential for oyster mushrooms to comsume oil from spills to the recent
discovery by a team of Yale students that the fungus Pestalotiopsismicrospora is able to decompose plastic trash.

stropharia rugosa-annulata

Recently, work by researchers at Cornell University has demonstrated the economic potential for farming Shiitake, which are  grown on hardwood logs and soaked to force fruiting. Research has established the most suitable northern hardwood species for cultivation (Oak, Sugar Maple, Beech, Ironwood), the proper cultivation methods, and the estimated yields from a well managed operation. A high value food and medicine crop, shittakes retail at $12 to 16 dollars a pound if grown outside naturally on logs.

Workshops are facilitated by Steve Gabriel, who has been cultivating and experimenting with forest grown mushrooms, maple sugaring, and other agroforestry practices since 2006. Participants will learn several cultivation methods for multiple species (shiitake, lions mane, oyster, and stropharia) that are practical on both a home and small commercial scale and appropriate for all experience levels.

For more full class descriptions and registration info visit the classes page or call (607) 342-2825. Visitors to the website can also sign up for a weekly blog with mushroom stories, research, and recipes. (see the sidebar on the right!)

Dates and locations:

INOCULATION DEMONSTRATIONS
CCE Steuben County, Bath, NY: March 24
SUNY Ulster County, Kingston, NY: April 28
CCE Hamilton County, Piseco, NY: May 19

MUSHROOMS IN PERMACULTURE SYSTEMS
Brooks Bend Farm, Montague, MA: April 21
Three Sisters Farm, Sandy Lake, PA: May 12
Rochester Permaculture Center, Rochester NY: May 13

SMALL SCALE SHIITAKE PRODUCTION
Anderson Farm, Mecklenburg, NY: May 5th & 6th

MUSHROOMS & FOREST MANAGEMENT
Little Farm of Paradise, Hampton NY: May 20
Shannon Brook Farm, Watkins Glen, NY: June 10

MUSHROOMS WILD & CULTIVATED
Shelburne Farms, Shelburne, VT: June 2
Twin Ponds Retreat, Brookfield, VT: June 3

CONTACT:
Steve Gabriel, Work With Nature LLC
www.WorkWithNatureDesign.com
steve@workwithnaturedesign.com
607.342.2825