Media Advisory

Field day to show organic mushroom production in a northern climate

What:
Free, on-farm field day featuring research into organic mushroom cultivation and marketing in a northern climate

Who:
Jill Jacoby, mushroom grower and participant in the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program

When:
Saturday, July 16, 2011
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Where:
3971 Rehbein Road, Duluth, MN

Background:
Jill Jacoby established several goals for this Sustainable Agriculture Grant project. The first was to grow shiitake mushrooms on a variety of hardwood trees (maple, birch, and aspen). Shiitake mushrooms are known to grow best on oak species, however, in northern Minnesota oak trees are not abundant. The second goal was to compare growing oyster mushrooms on locally available tree species as well as on straw. The third goal was to develop a market in the Duluth area for organically/locally grown mushrooms through farmers’ markets, restaurants and grocery stores.

Refreshments will be provided at the field day.

Contacts:
Jill Jacoby, 218-724-9786 or email: pumilios@aol.com
Jeanne Ciborowski, MDA Sustainable Agriculture Program, 1-651-201-6217

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