2 Day Mushroom Cultivation Retreat Course at Lost Valley Education Center

with Ja Schindler of Fungi For the People

November 24-25th 2012  in Dexter, Oregon

(just 18 miles from Eugene)

Come join this unique hands-on experience to explore many methods of mushroom cultivation scaled specifically for communities and homesteads.  This course is an excellent primer for those thinking of growing mushrooms for food and medicine, soil development, cottage industries, or personal pursuit.

We will also cover mycoremediation and mycorestoration, as well as medicinal uses and extractions. This is also a perfect course for Permaculture Teachers and Instructors looking to really incorporate mushrooms into their training.

A depth of information is presented, but the pace and language used also accommodates folks unfamiliar with mushroom growing. This is not just an overview, we will be cultivating mushrooms from start to finish, with a variety of species at various stages of development and we will perform every step.

Class sizes are kept fairly small to ensure that everyone can participate in every stage and be able to have any questions addressed. Beautiful lodging and healthy vegetarian meals are included, details below.

Mushrooms: We will work with Gourmet and Medicinal mushrooms including Oyster, Lions Mane, Reishi, King Stropharia, Shiitake, Shaggy Mane, Shaggy Parasol, and Chicken of the Woods

Course Details:

Day One: Getting to know mushrooms from the ground-down and developing spawn

Intro to Fungi: A Mycology 101 crash course, covering Fungi life cycle and lifestyles.

Mushroom Spawn Creation:

-Mushroom and substrate selection and preparation, moisture and pH balancing, and nutritional amendments

-Sterilization (pressure cookery), filter making, syringe port making, aseptic techniques, simple lab set-up, as well as my lab-free “Open Air” techniques

-Spore germination, tissue transferring, grain-to-grain and grain to sawdust transfers. This will equip you to capture wild strains of mushrooms as well as clone gourmet cultures from the market.

-We will also discuss spawn transfer scheduling, storage,  contaminants and troubleshooting

Day 2: Creative and Ecologically sound growing practices

Bulk Substrates: Heat pasteurization of straw and wood chips, cold pasteurization of straw, and making compost specific to mushroom growing

Greenhouse/Growhouse set-up: Covering many considerations for indoor and greenhouse mushroom growing

Mushroom Gardening: Proper site set-up and companion planting for soil development and outdoor seasonal growing

Mushroom Logs: We will create mushroom logs for long term production and gardening uses

Mycoremediation / Myco- Restoration: Learn how to work with fungi to restore damaged soils, and ways to prevent and clean-up toxic waste contamination.

This Course Also Includes:

 50 Page Workbook: Details on a variety of cultivation techniques, material choices, glossary of terms, and technical references.

Mushroom Spawn:  You will get to choose 4 species of edible and medicinal mushrooms to leave with!

Wholesome Meals:  A healthy lunch and refreshments will be provided on both days, as well as dinner on Saturday. Breakfast is available by donation. The food is lovingly prepared by the Lost Valley hosts, and offers a diversity of options for a variety of diets.

Lodging: Included with each registration for both Friday and Saturday nights. Lost Valley offers single rooms in two comfortable dormitories which are nestled in the woods with a top-story view of Mt. Zion. Both dormitories have a full bathroom on each floor. An enchanting walk through the “Woods Loop” takes guest to our Lodge and meeting rooms. All beds come with pillows, pillowcases, and fitted sheets. A top sheet, blanket, and comforter set can also be provided upon request.

Class Time: 10am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday

About James Smith
James is a father of four and grandfather to four cute little bugs. He and his wife Beautiful Gorgeous, of almost 30 years, have been prepping since 2003.
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