Trend in Mushroom Growing on the Rise

Mycology is the study of fungi and therefore, mushrooms. Generally considered a little known field of study, public interest in mushrooms is accelerating quickly from mushroom hunting to mushroom growing. In parts of Europe, mushroom hunting is a skill handed down through generations, becoming a part of the country's history and identity. In parts of Asia, mushrooms are revered for their medicinal uses and thus fervently sought out. However, America has largely developed an aversion to mushrooms (especially wild) that seems to have been changing in recent years. Many northern communities revel in the excitement of a good mushroom hunt and some enthusiasts have even begun to grow their own.

Growing mushrooms is relatively easy, thanks in part to starter kits provided by companies such as Fungi Perfecti. This company is owned by Paul Stamets, a well-known figure amongst mycologists. He started his company in 1980 and it has been steadily growing ever since. However, in recent years, he has noticed a spike in sales. According to the CNN news article, New Interest in Growing Edible Mushrooms at Home, Stamets was quoted saying, "The mushroom kit sales are increasing at maybe 25 percent per year, for the last three years. The plug spawn sales are easily double that over a three- or four-year period."

Using indoor mushroom growing kits, there are a variety of mushroom types you can raise such as Shiitake, Pearl Oyster, Espresso Oyster, Blue Oyster, Pink Oyster, Nameko, Lion's Mane, Reishi, and Pioppino to name a few (Fungi Perfecti). According to an article released by the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, the market growth is due to an increased interest in "culinary, nutritional, and health benefits." When wanting to grow mushrooms for sale in market, some considerations such as ease and demand should be taken into account. Oyster mushrooms are easiest for beginners to grow, while Shiitake mushrooms can gain a high price at market (NSAIS). To be exact, fresh Shiitake mushrooms can "fetch around $16 a pound at a farmer's market (CNN)."

So whether your reasons for growing mushrooms are income, additional knowledge, or just plain fun, this seems to be the industry to get into. As a mycologist, the world of mushrooms is both exciting and interesting. There is so much to discover that you're likely to never run out of new things to learn.

Works Cited

Beetz, Alice. "Mushroom Cultivation and Marketing." National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Jul. 2004. 4 Feb. 2011. http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/mushroom.pdf

"Indoor Mushroom Patches." Fungi Perfecti. 4 Feb. 2011. http://www.fungi.com/kits/indoor.html

Tortorello, Michael . "Do-It-Yourself Mushrooms." The New York Times. 14 Apr. 2010. 4 Feb. 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/garden/15mushrooms.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=fungi