All classes will teach participants about the basics of growing shiitake, stropharia, and oyster mushrooms. At some we'll also throw in Lions Mane cultivation, which is currently being researched for its potential at Cornell University.
Are you....
Mostly interested in the learning the basics of cultivation?
Try attending on of the mushroom demonstration events. These are three hour classes that cover the very basics of mushroom biology and cultivation of shiitake on logs, oyster on toilet paper rolls, and stropharia on sawdust/woodchips. Plus, you get to inoculate your own log and take it home!
SUNY Ulster, Stone Ridge, NY: April 28 from 1 - 4 pm (almost full!)
Cornell Cooperative Extension Hamilton County, Piseco, NY: May 19 from 1 - 4pm
Understory Mushroom Farm, Mecklenburg NY: May 5 from 9am - 12pm
A landowner looking to utilize your woodlot?
These classes focus on the use of mushrooms to promote healthy forests, by both discussing the basics of forest ecology, management, and safe chainsaw use, in addition to the basic cultivation techniques described above.
Little Farm of Paradise, Hampton NY: May 20 from 10am - 3pm
Shannon Brook Farm, Watkins Glen, NY: June 10 from 10am - 3pm
An established or new farmer looking for an exciting niche crop?
Join us for a two day intensive seminar at Understory Mushrooms, a 1 acre mushroom operation on a beautiful 35-acre farm in the Finger Lakes of New York. Camping is available as we learn basic inoculation techniques Saturday morning and delve into laying yard design, harvesting, and marketing Saturday afternoon and into Sunday. In addition to seeing our 1000 log operation, we'll visit our friend Steve Sierigk at Hawk Meadow Farm, who has been growing and selling shiitakes for the past 8 years. We'll also have a mushroom feast pond-side on Saturday evening.
Understory Mushroom Farm, Mecklenburg NY: May 5 & May 6
Interested in both cultivation and wild foraging of mushrooms?
Both of our Vermont classes feature a collaboration with Ari Rockland-Miller of the Mushroom Forager blog. In the morning we'll focus on cultivation and after lunch we'll head to the woods where Ari will discuss strategies for foraging, safe identification, and sustainable harvesting in the wild. Yum!
Shelburne Farms, Shelburne, VT: June 2 from 9:00am - 4:00pm
Curious about the connections between mushrooms and permaculture?
Permaculture is a design system that focuses on the production of food, fibre, and energy while restoring degraded ecosystems. Mushrooms are but one part in this whole systems approach to gardening, farming, and forestry. These classses will be held at permaculture demonstration sites and highlight how mushrooms can integrate into the "big picture."
Brook's Bend Farm, Montague, MA: April 21 from 10:00am - 4:00pm
Three Sisters Farm, Sandy Lake, PA: May 12: May 12 from 10:00am - 4:00pm
Rochester
Permaculture Center, Rochester, NY: May 13 from 10:00am - 4:00pm
For more information on classes and to register, please visit our classes page at www.agroforestrysolutions.com or email steve@agroforestrysolutions.com if you have questions.