Mushroom Business

What would it take to grow mushrooms in space? How can mushroom cultivation help us manage, or at least make use of, invasive species such as kudzu and water hyacinth and thereby reduce dependence on herbicides? Is it possible to develop a low-cost and easy-to-implement mushroom-growing kit that would provide high-quality edible protein and bioremediation in the wake of a natural disaster? How can we advance our understanding of morel cultivation so that growers stand a better chance of success? For more than twenty years, mycology expert Tradd Cotter has been pondering these questions and conducting trials in search of the answers. In Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation, Cotter not only offers readers an in-depth exploration of best organic mushroom cultivation practices; he shares the results of his groundbreaking research and offers myriad ways to apply your cultivation skills and further incorporate mushrooms into your life—whether your goal is to help your community clean up industrial pollution or simply to settle down at the end of the day with a cold Reishi-infused homebrew ale. The book first guides readers through an in-depth exploration of indoor and outdoor cultivation. Covered skills range from integrating wood-chip beds spawned with king stropharia into your garden and building a “trenched raft” of hardwood logs plugged with shiitake spawn to producing oysters indoors on spent coffee grounds in a 4×4 space or on pasteurized sawdust in vertical plastic columns. For those who aspire to the self-sufficiency gained by generating and expanding spawn rather than purchasing it, Cotter offers in-depth coverage of lab techniques, including low-cost alternatives that make use of existing infrastructure and materials. Cotter also reports his groundbreaking research cultivating morels both indoors and out, “training” mycelium to respond to specific contaminants, and perpetuating spawn on cardboard without the use of electricity. Readers will discover information on making tinctures, powders, and mushroom-infused honey; making an antibacterial mushroom cutting board; and growing mushrooms on your old denim jeans. Geared toward readers who want to grow mushrooms without the use of pesticides, Cotter takes “organic” one step further by introducing an entirely new way of thinking—one that looks at the potential to grow mushrooms on just about anything, just about anywhere, and by anyone.

Mushroom farming in the West has been a mystery art for more than a hundred years, ever since French cultivators took the lead in developing the common Agaricus. Professional farmers have kept their methods to themselves as trade secrets out of fear of competitiveness, only disclosing them to their closest friends and never to newbies. Mushrooms are just more difficult to grow than flowering plants, which adds to the enigma surrounding their domestication. Even the common Agaricus found in supermarkets requires a level of care and attention to detail that goes much beyond what is often required of gardeners and farmers. Some species will not grow at all under artificial circumstances; many more will not bear fruit. The popularity of mushrooms has essentially exploded all over the world in past ten years. Specially the western world is now inundated with excellent field guides for the higher fungi cultivation for the first time in history, and a good number of individuals are learning to gather and consume the wild species of their choice. Forays and conferences focused on mushrooms are becoming more and more popular among people in the US and Canada. Other species than the typical Agaricus have started to show up in specialized stores and even supermarkets obtained by cultivation. It may never be known why such a drastic shift occurred in certain regions of the world that were historically mycophobic. Mushrooms have always been an object of fascination, and I believe that the rise in popularity could be because of 1960s-era consciousness revolution. The rediscovery of psychedelic mushrooms, namely the species of Psilocybe, which have utterly taken over American society lately, may be a more specific cause. Thousands of individuals have purchased field guides and attended mushroom conferences because of the possibility of gathering wild psychotropic mushrooms in various regions of North America. Many individuals are curious to acquire the craft of mushroom cultivation because species of Psilocybe cubensis are quite easy to cultivate at home. Psilocybe enthusiasts frequently discover that as they follow their hobby, their interest in mushrooms expands to encompass other genera that contain great edible species that are not hallucinogenic. Uninterested in psychoactive species, other mycophiles have developed likeness to edible species and seek easier access to them than the ones wild offer. As a result, numerous amateurs are looking for the secrets the professional cultivators are keeping. The book you're going to read marks a significant development to answer the growing interest in mushrooms and provides a guide to the cultivation od mushrooms while collecting the information professional and cultivation expert in mushroom farming had to offer. It covers every facet of the topic in enough information and an accessible manner to help both keen mycologists and amateurs grow the mushrooms they enjoy. The authors decode the art of mushroom cultivation and make it accessible to everyone by including details on the tools and supplies used, and providing step-by-step instructions for procedures, from starting point of spore cultures to harvesting of fruiting bodies and economic feasibility. I am happy to introduce this excellent work. You will discover it to be everything you have been looking for and more if you wanted some information on mushroom cultivation.

Chester County is well known for its sprawling scenic views, rich farmland, the Main Line, and mushrooms. Chester County, and specifically the village of Kennett Square, is known as the mushroom capital of the world because of the quantity and quality of mushrooms grown there. Mushrooms have been around for centuries, with the French beginning cultivation in the 1600s, and mushroom farming began in Chester County more than 120 years ago. The earliest farmers were Quakers, but over the years members of the Irish, Italian, and Hispanic communities have joined the ranks of Chester County mushroom farmers. The local mushroom farmers were responsible for the forming of the American Mushroom Institute more than a half century ago.

Mushroom farming has become very popular worldwide owing to the fact that mushroom farming is relatively easy and requires less space and less investment. Economic returns on investment are also high in mushroom farming. Mushroom farming is an attractive low-cost entrepreneurial option because mushrooms can successfully be grown by using even primitive farming technologies. This low technology approach to mushroom farming may be one of the reasons behind its popularity as a small scale farm enterprise.

"Nature alone is antique, and the oldest art a mushroom." ~ Thomas Carlyle You practice many hobbies across your lifetime, but few give you the thrill, enigma, and satisfaction of growing Mushrooms. Every cycle you cultivate the same Mushroom, you would notice the magic of nature. It is apt that Mushroom is closely related to humans than plants. This book is the gist of my years of interest in Mushrooms and subsequent practice in the last three years. I started with readymade grow bags and then tried Martha Chamber, a 5-gallon bucket, and outdoor logs. Each methodology is an experience in itself and the saying "Enjoy the process" is best suited for this hobby. Finally, as I gained some expertise and produced a considerable amount of mushrooms from outdoor beds, I also used my digital marketing expertise to sell them in my neighborhood! All that experiences right from starting to mass-produce are being covered in the book. Going through the book, you can foresee your journey for the next 3-4 years if you start today. Topics covered: Mushrooming 101-The beginning of this journey The science behind it: Nature's play! Growing Mushrooms at home Techniques – PF Tek, 5 Gallon Bucket, Monotub, Log Grow, Bottle/Jar, Outdoor, Straw Logs & much more Which Mushroom to grow and how? Common challenges you would face Earning Profits: If you wish to sell! Frequently Asked Questions: Questions I remember interacting with other fellow growers. Few more tips like Mushroom growing process diagram (the simple one!), Mushroom Tree compatibility, Precautions for beginner's So, what are you waiting for? Start your Mushrooming journey and witness the magic of nature!

A detailed and comprehensive guide for growing and using gourmet and medicinal mushrooms commercially or at home. “Absolutely the best book in the world on how to grow diverse and delicious mushrooms.”—David Arora, author of Mushrooms Demystified With precise growth parameters for thirty-one mushroom species, this bible of mushroom cultivation includes gardening tips, state-of-the-art production techniques, realistic advice for laboratory and growing room construction, tasty mushroom recipes, and an invaluable troubleshooting guide. More than 500 photographs, illustrations, and charts clearly identify each stage of cultivation, and a twenty-four-page color insert spotlights the intense beauty of various mushroom species. Whether you’re an ecologist, a chef, a forager, a pharmacologist, a commercial grower, or a home gardener—this indispensable handbook will get you started, help your garden succeed, and make your mycological landscapes the envy of the neighborhood.

This book will become your reliable guide to the world of making money from oyster mushrooms. The author reveals in detail the topic of growing, selling and using oyster mushrooms, allowing the reader to master this amazing type of mushroom as a source of stable income. Step by step you will learn all the secrets of successful entrepreneurship in the field of mushroom farming and you can start your path to financial independence today!