Introduction to Mycology and Home Mushroom Cultivation

Join us for a half-day class where we’ll learn about fungal biology and ecology, mushroom cultivation, culinary uses of mushrooms, and further ideas for working with fungi. You will leave with a solid understanding of how fungi grow and interact with their environment, how to cultivate mushrooms at home, and how to safely enjoy mushrooms as food. You will also leave with a list of resources for further learning, and new ideas for working with fungi beyond this class. Please note, while we will cover some regional fungi and physical features of mushrooms, this is not a mushroom identification class.

About your instructor: Katie Lawson has been farming since 2011 and studying mycology since 2016. She started her company Fungal Focus in 2019 with the goal of supporting and expanding Utah’s community of mushroom growers and fungal advocates. Katie has a degree in Environmental Science & Policy from McDaniel College and has studied mycology through MYCOLOGOS. Her current research focuses on the bioremediation of contaminated agricultural soils.

What to bring and expect: This is a 4 hour class. Please be prepared for indoor and outdoor learning. We will do a cooking demo with samples, however you may wish to bring snacks and water. You will be provided with a workbook and pen as well as a take home mushroom grow kit.

Please note: This is a kid-friendly event, but anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All children must be registered.

Host or Publisher USU Extension - Salt Lake County