Mycology Education & Cultivation Workshops
Flow Mycological Sciences offers educational workshops designed to introduce participants to the fascinating world of fungi. These workshops explore the ecological role of mushrooms in natural ecosystems while teaching the fundamentals of mushroom cultivation in a clear and accessible way.
Programs are designed for community groups, schools, environmental organizations, farms, and events interested in hands-on ecological education. Participants gain both conceptual knowledge and practical skills that allow them to start growing mushrooms at home or in their community.
Each workshop blends engaging instruction with a practical activity so participants leave with real experience working with living fungal cultures.
What Participants Learn
Workshops typically cover topics such as
• The ecological role of fungi in forests and soil systems
• Basic mushroom biology and life cycles
• Introduction to mushroom cultivation techniques
• Different methods for growing mushrooms at home or outdoors
• How fungi contribute to soil health and sustainable food systems
Content can be adapted depending on the audience and available time.
Pleurotus sp.
(Oyster Mushroom Workshop)
Oyster Mushroom Cultivation
Participants inoculate a prepared growing bag with oyster mushroom mycelium and learn how to care for it until harvest.
Participants will learn the core principles of cultivating mushrooms at home and in small backyard settings, with a focus on oyster mushrooms - a fast-growing and forgiving species ideal for beginners.
Topics include:
-
The mushroom life cycle and fungal growth basics
-
Working with mycelium at home
-
Sourcing mushroom genetics
-
Introduction to agar work, liquid cultures, and grain spawn
-
Easy-to-grow species and cultivation methods
-
Fruiting conditions, harvesting techniques, and common beginner challenges
Hands-On Component
Following the presentation, participants will inoculate their own bag of prepared straw with Pleurotus (oyster mushroom) mycelium. Each attendee will take their inoculated grow bag home to complete colonization and fruiting, suitable for a kitchen counter or small space.
Materials Included
-
Oyster mushroom spawn
-
Prepared substrate and fruiting bag
-
Humidity tent
-
Gloves, disinfectant, and step-by-step instructions
Stropharia rugosoannulata
(Wine Caps)
Wine Cap Mushroom Bed Workshop
Participants learn how to establish a productive outdoor mushroom bed using wine cap mushrooms (Stropharia rugosoannulata), a vigorous species that grows well in garden beds and wood chip landscapes. Wine Caps are a delicious edible mushroom and are easy to grow at home.
This workshop introduces the core principles of outdoor mushroom cultivation using simple materials that can often be sourced locally. Wine caps are an excellent species for beginners because they are resilient, productive, and well suited to backyard environments.
Participants will learn how to integrate mushrooms into gardens, pathways, and permaculture systems while producing reliable seasonal harvests.
Topics Covered
-
The role of fungi in soil ecosystems and garden health
-
The life cycle of outdoor wood-loving mushrooms
-
How to source and select wood chips for cultivation
-
Which tree species are best suited for wine cap beds
-
Site selection for successful outdoor mushroom patches
-
How to establish a layered wine cap mushroom bed
-
Watering and seasonal care requirements
-
How to expand and renew a mushroom bed each spring for continued fruiting
Hands-On Component
Following the presentation, participants will work together to build a wine cap mushroom bed using wood chips and live mycelium.
Participants will learn the layering technique used to establish strong mycelial growth and will see how beds can be integrated into garden paths, raised beds, or mulched landscapes.
Each participant will leave with the knowledge and practical experience needed to establish their own outdoor mushroom patch at home.
Materials Included
-
Wine cap mushroom spawn to take home
-
Demonstration materials for building the bed
-
Guidelines for sourcing wood chips locally
-
Step-by-step instructions for establishing and maintaining a mushroom bed
