Mushroom Cultivation: Food from Wood

Food From Wood: Growing Edible & Medicinal Mushrooms on Logs, Stumps, and Wood Chips 

Saturday, November 12, 2022 | 9am – 2pm

Instructor Zach Mermel will teach the basics of mushroom cultivation in the “Food From Wood: Growing Edible & Medicinal Mushrooms on Logs, Stumps, and Wood Chips” on Saturday, November 12, from 9am – 2pm at Volcano Art Center Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.

By teaming with certain fungi, you can turn that pesky plant problem into an edible solution. A wonder drug or just darn tasty, the humble mushroom belongs to a kingdom seldom explored. Mushrooms are an excellent source of vegetarian protein and nutrition with the added bonus of “easy to grow”. Their health benefits are well known and their ecological advantages are just now being fully realized.

 Now you can learn basic fungal biology and how fungal mycelium colonizes different materials, particularly wooden logs, stumps, and wood chips. You’ll also discover the health benefits of different edible and medicinal fungi in Hawai‘i.

 Course fees are $55/$50 VAC members plus a $15 fee, inclusive of supplies. Pre-registration is required. Each participant will depart with a shiitake mushroom log kit, as well as a King Stropharia mushroom kit. Participants will meet at VAC’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village for a slideshow lecture, then drive to Shaka Forest Farms on Wright Road in Volcano Village for the hands-on segment of the workshop. Lunch break will occur from 12pm – 1pm.

If you’re an eager epicurean, avid horticulturalist or just interested in mushrooms, Zach encourages you along with farmers, gardeners, and homeowners seeking to incorporate the growing of gourmet and medicinal mushrooms into their lives and livelihoods to attend.