Mountain Mycology

4/8 Mushroom Workshop Cancelled

2017-04-08T11:00:00.001-04:00

In spite of the beautiful, sunny spring day, fate has conspired against Timi's mushroom workshop this afternoon. More urgent transportation issues have arisen that need to be addressed today, so it is with regret that the late afternoon mushroom workshop that Timi was going to give at the Kentucky Green Living Fair has been cancelled.

There will still be plenty of other learning and networking opportunities at other workshops and activities throughout the day , so we hope folks (who have reliable transportation) will still venture out and enjoy what the fair has to offer. In fact, one of our neighbors from Clear Creek Jams, Jellies, & More will be at the fair selling oyster mushroom logs (Golden and Blue Dolphin) and unique home-made treats like hickory syrup and red-bud jelly.

Meanwhile, once transportation issues are solved, we'll post some of the presentation materials that Timi prepared for the mountain mycology workshop as soon as possible.

Morels, Mountain Mushroom Fest, & More

2017-04-06T15:57:00.000-04:00

Morels ca. 2006 (Photo by Tammy Clemons)

April is usually the time of year that morels make their appearance in Kentucky forests. Morels are "perhaps the mostly highly prized of edible wild mushrooms," (Roody 2003:477) and there are several species of morels and false morels that grow in different parts of the US. "In the Appalachians, there is a long tradition of eating a few species such as morels ... but gathering a broader variety for food is a relatively esoteric pursuit" (Roody 2003:3).

The annual Mountain Mushroom Festival, which will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 29-30, 2017 in Irvine, Kentucky, is a great way to learn more about morel mushrooms. We have actually never been able to go because we have often had scheduling conflicts, but we know Mary Reed, one of the organizers, and several people who vend or visit the festival every year. Morels are sometimes available at local farmers' markets as well, but their production window is so narrow and their native ecology is so specialized that they are usually expensive to purchase. So finding them yourself is the most affordable and healthful way to make a meal with morels.

Mushrooms of West Virginia and the Central Appalachians is the best regional reference available, and it includes a helpful list of cautionary and instructive tips for anyone interested in collecting wild mushrooms (Roody 2003:4-5). In addition to educating yourself about how to distinguish edible and poisonous look-alikes from one another, it's important to remember that there are ethical and ecological best practices for hunting morel mushrooms.

Always collect and carry morels in an open mesh bag like a potato or onion sack. This prevents moisture build-up that can accelerate decay and allows the mushroom spores to "re-seed" the patch for future flushes. Also, leave as many as you take to ensure the long-term sustainability of the mycelium to reproduce and spread.
Never hunt on public property or anyone's private property without permission. In addition to personally poaching someone else's hunting spot, it's also poor etiquette to disclose or ask about the location of a private patch to others.

For a virtual morel hunt, check out this video our friend Blair Johnson produced about wildcrafting morel mushrooms as one way to "Eat Local."

We hope to post some more recent photos of mushroom adventures as we're able. Meanwhile, take a slow hike and see what you find, or go to the Mountain Mushroom Festival or a local farmers' market and see what others have found.

Mountain Mycology Workshop at KY Green Living Fair 4/8/17

2017-04-04T14:13:00.000-04:00

Local mycologist and public educator Timi Reedy will be giving a 45-minute workshop on growing and using edible and medicinal mushrooms at the upcoming Kentucky Green Living Fair at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, 2017 in Room A of the Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Kentucky. The workshop will "explore the restoration of the resilience of our Central Appalachian forests through mycology," and participants will walk away with some resources for further reference and follow-up.

Timi is also a board member for Appalachia-Science in the Public Interest (ASPI), which is a non-profit educational organization based in Mount Vernon, Kentucky. ASPI is also offering a workshop on worm composting and will have mushroom logs for sale at its exhibit booth. The Kentucky Green Living Fair is a great regional gathering for learning and sharing sustainability knowledge and resources. Thanks to the folks at Market on Main for making this event happen and for including mountain mycology among the many great workshops and demonstrations.