Forest Cultivated Shiitake Workshop – Spring 2024 [sold out]

Learn how to grow shiitake for profit

Shiitake mushrooms have been cultivated on logs in the forest for a millennia. Despite the proliferation of other methods of mushroom production, forest cultivated shiitake still presents a low-impact, low-investment opportunity for forest and farm owners to produce income from woodlots.

Join WSU Extension for an introductory workshop covering the basics of producing shiitake mushrooms on logs as an enterprise to add to your farm’s crop lineup, or as a small side business for forest owners. The course will be hands-on and interactive. Attendees will be able to inoculate a log during the workshop to and take home afterwards to better understand the process (one log per registration)

Discussion topics will include:

Considerations for harvesting substrate logs (species, timing, handling, etc.)
Shiitake strain selection
Inoculation procedures, equipment, logistics, and labor efficiency
Shiitake production site considerations and seasonal management
Harvesting procedures and long-term management
Shiitake enterprise planning considerations
WSU’s current projects and research on forest-cultivated mushroom production

This workshop is intended for individuals considering developing a commercial log-grown shiitake enterprise and wanting to learn more. There is limited space available, so if you are only interested in learning more about hobby scale production, please contact Patrick Shults for more information.

How to participate

Date and time

The workshop will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Location

This workshop will be held at the WSU Meyer’s Point Environmental Field Station, which is roughly five miles north of I-5 in Olympia, WA. Specific driving and parking details will be sent out via e-mail to registered attendees. The workshop will be held outdoors rain or shine, so dress for the weather.

Cost and Registration [sold out]

The cost to attend is $25 per household or farm. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Register early to reserve your spot. Registration deadline is 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 9th, 2024. Any cancellation requests must be received no later than April 5th to be eligible for a refund.

Use the link below to register and pay online. To register by mail and pay with check, contact Patrick Shults to secure your place and get mailing information.

Acknowledgements and Accommodations

Funding for this workshop was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Grant. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.

Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact Patrick Shults at least two weeks prior to the event.

Stay up to date!

Click on the links below to stay in touch