the world of mushroom farming

It's exciting that so many people are interested in growing mushrooms – they have been cultivated for thousands of years and there is always more to learn! Mushroom farming has many benefits over traditional agriculture; it's environmentally friendly, sustainable, efficient with space usage, low labor costs (when done right), and can be profitable if well planned out for small-scale operations. 

It's too bad some people jump into mushroom farming without first learning about the industry. One of the issues is that there isn't much good information available online for mushroom growers; most mushroom farming literature comes from other countries which often use different species and cultivation methods. Another issue is that not many people are growing mushrooms in North America, so it's difficult to find mushroom growers who can offer advice on how to start a mushroom farm. 

It can be overwhelming at first, but starting a mushroom farm is fairly simple. There are two options for starting your mushroom farm: indoor or outdoor. Indoor mushroom farming is the best option for serious year-round production. Outdoor mushroom farming is much cheaper but seasonal; not providing a year-round supply of mushrooms. 

Here are some tips for growing mushrooms: mushrooms need water! Make sure you keep your substrate moist at all times. The right temperature is also necessary; if the substrate gets too hot, your mycelium could overheat. Make sure to have good airflow. If the mycelium gets no oxygen, it will die. The post-harvest process is also very important. You must take care to store mushrooms properly until they are ready for sale or consumption. 

The brain’s ability to grow and form new connections typically declines with age, which may explain why mental functioning worsens in many older adults. Studies have found that lion’s mane mushrooms contain two special compounds that can stimulate the growth of brain cells: hericenones and erinacines. Additionally, animal studies have found that lion’s mane may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative brain disease that causes progressive memory loss. In fact, lion’s mane mushroom and its extracts have been shown to reduce symptoms of memory loss in mice, as well as prevent neuronal damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, which accumulate in the brain during Alzheimer’s disease . 

Up to one-third of people living in developed countries experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. While there are many causes of anxiety and depression, chronic inflammation could be a major contributing factor. Animal research has found that lion’s mane mushroom extract has anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in mice. Other animal studies have found that lion’s mane extract can also help regenerate brain cells and improve the functioning of the hippocampus, a region of the brain that processes memories and emotional responses. 

The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and other nerves that travel throughout the body. These components work together to send and transmit signals that control almost every bodily function. Brain or spinal cord injuries can cause various adverse medical outcomes. They often cause paralysis or loss of mental functions and can take a long time to heal. However, research has found that lion’s mane mushroom extract may help speed recovery from these types of injuries by stimulating the growth and repair of nerve cells. It may also help reduce the severity of brain damage after a stroke. However, no studies have been conducted involving humans to determine if lion’s mane would have the same therapeutic effect on nervous system injuries as animal research has suggested.

Research shows that lion’s mane extract can influence some of these factors and reduce the risk of heart disease. Studies of rats and mice have found that lion’s mane mushroom extract improves fat metabolism and lowers triglyceride levels. One 2010 study of rats fed a high fat diet and given daily doses of lion’s mane extract showed 27% lower triglyceride levels and 42% less weight gain after 28 days. Since obesity and high triglycerides are both considered risk factors for heart disease, this is one way that lion’s mane mushrooms contribute to heart health. 

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body’s ability to manage blood sugar levels is impaired. As a result, levels are consistently elevated. Chronically high blood sugar levels eventually cause complications like kidney disease, nerve damage in the hands and feet, and vision loss. Lion’s mane mushroom may be beneficial for diabetes management by improving blood sugar management and reducing some of these side effects. Several animal studies have shown that lion’s mane can cause significantly lower blood sugar levels in both normal and diabetic mice, even at daily dosages as low as 2.7 milligrams (mg) per pound (6 mg per kg) of body weight. 

Most farms produce tons of agricultural waste that is often burned or composted. But as nature’s great recyclers, fungi are able to break down nearly any carbon-based material, from woody trees to industrial pollutants. Multiple commercial mushroom species have been shown to grow on over 200 agricultural residues, including corncobs, bamboo shoots, potato leaves, soybean hulls, and peanut shells. Rather than placing all the value on the seed or fruit of a given crop, farmers could start to see that the other 80 to 90 percent of the plant as food for another crop entirely: edible and medicinal mushrooms. 

Though mushrooms can be grown year-round, it’s especially ideal to grow them during the winter months when other local foods are only minimally available in most of the U.S. Not only is this a time when farmers are looking for a bump in revenue, it’s also perfect for growing mushrooms, as the cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels are ideal growing conditions. Their growing cycles take 1 to 3 months, depending on the species, allowing farmers to time their mushroom crops around their harvest season. Mushrooms can be also be grown indoors with minimum infrastructural investment during the summer months between planting and harvesting vegetable crops. 

Cultivated varieties such as Shiitake and oyster mushrooms provide many nutrients that other vegetables are low in or lack entirely. Most mushrooms species are high in various B vitamins, while others contain an abundance of vitamin C. All mushrooms have ergosterol—a compound called a vitamin D precursor—in their cell walls. When fresh or dried mushrooms are placed in direct sunlight, this compound naturally converts to vitamin D, often to significant levels within just a few hours.

Mushrooms are also an excellent source of macronutrients like calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, as well as the microelements copper, iron, selenium, manganese, and zinc. Unlike many health supplements, the minerals in mushrooms are often found in an ionic form that is easy for the body to assimilate. Mushrooms are also one of the few organic sources of germanium and selenium, elements that have been shown to increase resistance to diseases and combat harmful free radicals. When fresh, mushrooms contain around 3.5 to 4 percent protein and around 19 to 35 percent when dried. 

Many mushrooms contain all of the essential amino acids, with some species being among the highest natural sources of lysine.

Once mushrooms have been harvested, the protein- and vitamin-rich fermented agricultural waste they grew on can be fed to ruminants and other farm animals. Many studies have shown that chickens, fish, lambs, cattle, and other farm animals all benefit from eating mushrooms and their mycelium. Researchers found that these animals showed significant improvements in overall health, digestion, and disease resistance. When medicinal Cordyceps mushrooms are fed to chickens, some of the medicinal compounds in the mushroom can also pass into the animal’s eggs, suggesting the future production of many novel medicinal mushroom-egg-based products. 

Another use for cultivation leftovers is as a soil amendment. Some nurseries sell commercial mushroom compost, which is nothing more than the residues of the Portobello mushroom industry. The homemade version offers the same benefits, such as increased water holding capacity and nutrient availability. Most mushroom growers don’t use this “waste.” So even if you don’t grow mushrooms, you might be able to get some of these leftovers (known in the trade as “spent spawn”) for free. 

Lastly, mycorrhizal fungi can significantly improve the nutritional quality and overall health of crops. These important fungi connect with the roots of 90 to 95 percent of plants in the world, where they help acquire nutrients the plant roots cannot. This is most notable with phosphorus, which these fungi can make soluble (usable) from clays and rocks or through the digestion of organic matter. As a result, farmers can use significantly less fertilizer and produce the same quantity of food.

These are just a few examples of the many ways fungi can be integrated into modern and future food systems. We have already seen mushroom-growing play a role in creating high-quality foods, healthy soils, and new industries—what else will the mycocultural revolution bring?

Smallhold is a macrofarm in Brooklyn that has created artificial environments for growing rare and unique mushrooms for local restaurants and grocers. Their goal is to open people’s minds to using mushrooms in more cooking, while creating sustainable farms in multiple cities nationwide. 

Active Grow is joined by Lee and Brian of Moto Pizza in Seattle, WA to discuss the 3-Tier LED Walden Grow Tent designed specifically for growing mushrooms indoors. Part 1 of this series is focused on the grow tent system introduction and benefits of creating a controlled environment for your mushrooms or any plant for that matter. Stay tuned for Part 2 that goes into LED lighting details for mushrooms as well as a few other surprises.