As a result of our research, current and potential forest mushroom growers have a better idea of what works and what does not work based on scientific research, rather than just anecdotal information. As a result of the outreach component of our program, forest owners have been convinced to undertake mushroom cultivation trials on their own lands.
impact statement issue
Sixty five percent of New York is forested, and the majority of this is privately owned. In many cases private rural forest owners need income from forest lands to pay property taxes, while managing their forests in an environmentally sustainable way. Ginseng is a valuable non-timber forest crop but it takes seven or more years to mature.
Mushroom cultivation on logs from various tree species involves harvesting living trees, which are often a byproduct of sustainable forest management. From inoculation to harvest, mushrooms begin fruiting in about one year and continue for four or five years. The wholesale/retail price of forest grown gourmet mushrooms is relatively high, making this crop a good candidate for forest farming.
impact statement response
Experiments have been initiated at the Arnot Forest to investigate and optimize factors that are currently limiting to forest mushroom production, including substrate tree species, fungal species, and moisture management. Citizen science workshops have been held to train forest land owners in forest mushroom cultivation, while contributing to our applied research effort.
impact statement summary
Gourmet mushroom cultivation is a non-timber, potentially lucrative, forest crop suitable for agroforestry/forest farming in the Northeast. We are investigating limiting factors in forest mushroom production including substrate tree species, mushroom species, and moisture management.
