Resources

The following are sources of information related to growing mushrooms. Order does not imply significance:

• www.fungiperfecti.com/: Fungi Perfecti, Paul Stamets, two names all serious mushroom enthusiasts know. Paul has made some amazing discoveries and significantly advanced research into mushrooms. His "LifeBox" offering is an example of eco-centric projects that actually make a positive difference in lives. [Need to ask BiL Ray his opinion about http://www.fungiperfecti.com/mycotech/farmwaste.html]
• www.mycomasters.com/: R.R. Wayne, PhD, discusses growing mushrooms without autoclaving or other sterile methods typically recommended by other growers; he uses hydrogen peroxide. Cody suggests autoclaving and sterile methods maximize the potential for rapid rate of growth, whereas hydrogen peroxide only facilitates mushroom growth. Research area: using spore syringes of a cloned strain, do a comparison growth.
• spores101.com/: source of materials (hardware and spores) and information. Some of this information regarding psychedelic mushrooms but the processes should work for all mushrooms, particularly their videos.
• www.shroomery.org/: discussion forum for mushroom growers. Need to check their approach to creating casings. Brown rice flour and vermiculite appear to be top contenders.
• fungifun.com/: Referenced many times in YouTube videos. May not be as good as needed.
• www.thefarm.org/mushroom/morel.html: Discusses the "how to" for a Holy Grail of mushroom growers, the morel. Step 23 is an example of why we aren't overwhelmed with morels in the stores.
• www.fao.org/sd/2003/PE0303_en.htm: Publication by the Sustainable Development Department (SDD) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, 2003; Mushroom cultivation for people with disabilities- A training manual. From the webpage: The FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) pioneered a training programme for disabled farmers in the poor northeastern part of Thailand with funding from its Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP): Mushroom production training for disabled people. Had trouble getting a copy of the second part of the training program, details of the production tasks; site down or unavailable. "Disabled" could refer to economic conditions as well as physical. Perhaps the techniques and methods could be used for our project. The business plan is particularly interesting; the basics could be applied to our project. The site date is 2003. Leads to the question of lessons learned and current status. Look for reference to "MA&D"; Market Analysis and Development. Designed for country-level programs, but may have an analog to more local businesses.
• Mycological Association of Washington, Inc.: Affiliate of the North American Mycological Association. Page for Other Sites has many interesting links (especially the pages on finding morels). Will need to consider becoming members.
• Mycology Meetup Groups: Site for finding local groups. There is a link indicating interest in starting a meet-up group in Pohick Creek Stream Valley Park.
• YouTube videos, like the Mushroom Adventures, part of 13 videos by MushFarmer. Episode 2 discusses hardware. Sounds reasonable. Need to validate. .