Below is a Q+A with Collar City Mushroom’s Avery Stempel, who is not only our Farmer Hero, but also will lead a mushroom-growing demonstration in the Farm Aid 2024 HOMEGROWN Skills Tent. If you’ll be joining us in Saratoga Springs, NY, this coming September, be sure to come watch his presentation. Jessica: We’re all curious to learn about Collar City Mushrooms. Can you tell us about your mushroom operation? Avery: Collar City Mushrooms is an indoor urban vertical mushroom farm, mycological education center and community gathering space in Troy, New York. We grow about 200 pounds of mushrooms every week that mostly gets delivered to local restaurants and independent grocery stores. Our farm shop and occasional pop-up market opportunities provide direct to consumer sales of not only our fresh fungi, but also value added products like salts, teas, jerky and supplements that we produce. We host field trips for learners of all ages, offer workshops, poetry performances, art shows, music events and skill building activities from grow-your-own mushrooms to knitting. We also push into classrooms, libraries and garden club meetings to spread mycelial knowledge. Jessica: Mycelial knowledge! That’s great! How did you get into growing mushrooms? Avery: Mushrooms have been … Continue reading Farmer Hero, Avery Stempel on spreading mycelial knowledge