Welcome to Mushroom Anna

Mushroom Cultivation Training and Consultation

I offer a full range of mushroom cultivation services to clients who wish to learn the art and science of growing mushrooms on their farms, in their gardens, or as a part of a commercial venture. My clients have all reported excellent progress, and every one of them receives ongoing support from me if they have questions or feedback. My approach is simple: strategize, demonstrate and explain. Of course, the first of this essential triad is critical; many of my clients are sure that they want to grow mushrooms, but are not sure what sort of investment it will be, and what sort of cultivation venture they wish to start. Furthermore, it is a question of time and space: how much time can you spend, and what space do you have to dedicate to mushroom cultivation. Preparing an adequate laboratory and growing area are all things I can assist clients with, and I am able to help my clients assess what sort of project they can commit to so that we can make an informed choice together about what method of cultivation is the most appropriate for them.

Growing mushrooms is a tricky but fascinating undertaking. There are many good books on the subject of gourmet and medicinal mushroom cultivation, but the end all and be all of the cultivator's success or failure is rooted in experience. Believe me. The first set of inoculations I conducted years ago ended in a catastrophic infestation of pink mold that was devastating to the biological balance in my laboratory, and also was a true menace to my room mates, who were amazingly tolerant of the "failure in the basement". Since that time, of course, I have honed my techniques so that I do not have to worry about the possible conflicts between the organisms that share an environment with my mushroom projects. I am skilled in sterile culture, the preferred method of commercial cultivation, as well as simpler methods that do not require the cultivator to maintain a sterile laboratory. From the back yard gardener to the agar-loving chemists, there are opportunities everywhere to grow and enjoy mushrooms that aren't plucked from the wild or the produce department at your local grocery store.

Often, it is exceedingly helpful to bring in an expert who can help a cultivator make important choices about their ends and ideas. What sort of mushrooms do you want to grow? Are those species compatible with the local environment? Which method of cultivation is the most appropriate to your resources, both in terms of time and economic investment? I have served small groups of individuals who wish to start mushroom cultivation ventures, as a mentor and practical educator. From demonstrating tissue culture techniques to helping people arrange ancient log culture projects on unused wood lots, there is great potential for varied strategies that are feasible for all sorts of mushroom enthusiasts.

Please contact me for more details, and start growing your own mushrooms today!