Growing some of your own food is an important early step in homesteading: growing your own mushrooms puts you on an entirely different level of self sufficiency. For beginners, shiitakes are a simple mushroom to learn to cultivate. And they are delicious! Rich in ‘umami’ flavor, shiitakes have an outstanding meaty texture when sauteed, broiled, baked or grilled. Popular in Asia for centuries, they are quickly gaining traction in American markets. Beyond taste, shiitakes are also gaining recognition for their health benefits.

Ian’s been wanting to raise mushrooms for a while now. If he could have his way our whole property would be turned into one big mushroom farm. For once I was the voice of reason and encouraged him to start considerably smaller. And so, for this year we are sticking with shiitakes. If these do well for us maybe Ian will get his mushroom farm after all.

Why Grow Mushrooms in Appalachia?

The Appalachian mountains are an ideal place to grow mushrooms. Thick, shaded forests filled with hardwood trees keep a consistent level of moisture in the surrounding soil. Both wild and cultivated varieties thrive in this region. Springtime is morel season; an opportunity for children and adults alike to romp through the woods in search of this elusive fungus. Mushrooms are also a great farm crop for rural areas without close access to farmer’s markets because they can be dried and transported long distances, unlike more perishable vegetable crops.

Some people are dreaming bigger. We’ve heard theories that highly productive mushroom farms could be a viable source of employment to help offset some of the coal mining jobs being lost. That remains to be seen, but in any case our shiitake experiments seem timely.

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%