Growing Mushrooms
- Shiitake and oyster mushrooms can be grown at a small scale facility
- A knowledge of the conditions, biology, and pests of mushrooms is necessary
- The specialty mushroom market is growing in the U.S. due to increasing consumer demand
Growing Mushrooms
The specialty mushroom market in the United States is growing. These mushrooms include oyster, shiitake, maitake, and lion's mane. Shiitake and oyster mushroom production is a viable choice for small-scale production. These do not require the amount of equipment and facilities of some of the other mushrooms produced in the United States.The shiitake mushroom is used in food and can be found in health food stores. This mushroom is growing in popularity in the United States due to its flavor and consistency. Production of these mushrooms in the U.S. began in the 1980's. Shiitakes grow on rotting hardwood; in commercial production, the moisture and temperature of logs used for growing must be carefully controlled.
Although large-scale commercial production requires a large commitment in terms of time and money, small scale production or hobby farming can provide supplemental income. Farmers should carefully consider the risks and benefits associated with growing specialty mushrooms before entering in to the venture.
Oyster mushrooms are grown on a sterilized cereal grain substrate and grown in bags or bottles. As with shiitake production, moisture, air movement, light, and temperature must be controlled for best production. These edible mushrooms are relatively easy to produce on a small scale.
Other Publications
Producing Shiitake Mushrooms: A Guide for Small-scale Outdoor Cultivation on Logs PDF)
NC State University
This publication discusses the areas suitable for production shiitake mushrooms, selecting spawn, the inoculation process, stacking methods, controlling log moisture content and temperature, pest and disease management, and harvesting the mushrooms.
Maryland Cooperative Extension
Shiitake mushrooms have been commercially grown in the United States for over 20 years and are now well accepted by American gourmet markets. Topics covered include methods of shiitake production, marketing, time and skills needed, equipment and resources needed, and the financial picture. An enterprise budget is provided in detail at the end of the publication.
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
This publication discusses the production process for producing shiitake mushrooms and how to harvest, store, and market your mushrooms. A cost benefit analysis is presented based on a 15 year planning period for an operation which inoculated 4,000 logs each year.
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences
This fact sheet will outline the overall mushroom production cycle of the white button mushroom and give a brief description of each of the production stages. The specific criteria (temperature set points, carbon dioxide concentrations, and so forth) involved in each stage will change depending on different mushroom crops and different mushroom growers, but the basic concepts and methods of mushroom production remain constant.
University of Idaho College of Agriculture
Specialty mushrooms (shiitake and oysters, for example) have traditionally high wholesale prices. Mushrooms can be grown outdoors or in controlled chambers, allowing for flexibility in facilities and capital required. This publication discusses the risks and opportunities associated with both outside and indoor production of mushrooms as well as the management of mushroom production and marketing your mushrooms.
USDA Forest Service/USDA NRCS
This information sheet covers the four exotic mushrooms that grow on cellulose and lignin in wood: shiitake, maitake, lion's mane, and oyster mushrooms. Using small diameter hardwood logs for mushroom production takes an otherwise wasted forest product and puts it into the production of another income-generating product. The materials and equipment needed, the growing process, and additional information is given.
University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry
This publication discusses how to incorporate the production of shiitake mushrooms into your forestry operation.
ATTRA National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
The market for mushrooms continues to grow due to interest in their culinary, nutritional, and health benefits. They also show potential for use in waste management. However, as fungi, mushrooms have life cycles very different from those of green plants. The choice of species to raise depends both on the growth media available and on market considerations. Oyster mushrooms, which grow on many substrates, are easiest for a beginner. Shiitake mushrooms already have earned considerable consumer demand. Only two mycorrhizal mushrooms, morels and truffles, have been commercially cultivated. Mushroom cultivation offers benefits to market gardens when it is integrated into the existing production system. A careful analysis of potential markets must be the first step in deciding whether to raise mushrooms to sell. Many information resources are available for further research.
Center For Subtropical Agroforestry
This fact sheet covers what you need to grow shiitake, how to grow shiitake, where you can sell the product, and where to get more information.
University of Kentucky - College of Agriculture
Shiitake and oyster mushrooms are suitable for small-scale production. Unlike other mushrooms, they don't require a large investment in facilities or equipment. This publication covers the considerations for mushroom production, the market for specialty mushrooms, and provides additional resources.
University of Florida IFAS Extension
The commercial viability of shiitake mushrooms, management considerations, risk factors, and marketing are all discussed in this publication.
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
This detailed how-to guide gives clear instructions on how to produce shiitake mushrooms on logs.
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences
Oyster mushroom production has increased in the United States, reflecting an increase in consumer demand. This publication discusses how to produce oyster mushrooms using a sterilized cereal grain substrate.
http://www.naturalresources.msstate.edu/business/mushrooms.html
