Mushroom Magic at Millbrook

Winters can seem a little long in the Hudson Valley, but farm community service is always on the grow. Mushrooms are in season in the greenhouse, with blue oysters popping up now and shiitake and lion’s mane quietly growing towards a spring debut on the farm.

 

The farm community service began growing mushroom kits and have moved on to starting mushrooms from spores, including varieties that have been sealed into damp logs with wood plugs and wax. Spores will germinate in warmth and darkness making mushrooms a year-round crop with unlimited potential.

 

Farm manager Lyuda Pope always finds a way to maximize production. The new mushroom project demonstrates that short days and dreary weather are no obstacles to staying busy.