ISU online workshop for mushroom foragers starts May 1

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ISU Extension will offer a two-part online workshop beginning next month for anyone interested in learning more about identifying and foraging local mushrooms. Photo courtesy ISU

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer a two-part online workshop beginning next month for anyone interested in learning more about identifying and foraging local mushrooms. The first spring workshop will be held on May 5 from 6-7 p.m.

The free workshops will be offered via Zoom and will be limited to 300 participants. Register online by May 1.

The workshop instructor will be Lina Rodriguez Salamanca, a plant pathology diagnostician with the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic at Iowa State University. Rodriguez Salamance said she fell in love with mushrooms while studying microbiology in college and teaches morel and oyster mushroom certification classes for the state of Iowa.

Foraging and consumer awareness is important, and there are always risks associated with consuming wild mushrooms, Rodriguez Salamanca said.

Participants in the online workshop will discuss proper identification traits, foraging safety, distinguishing between edible and non-edible varieties and best harvesting practices including how to avoid any potential post-harvest contamination.

Registrants for both the spring and fall online workshops will receive a free copy of the soon-to-be-released “Safe Mushroom Foraging Guide,” which was developed and published by Rodriguez Salamanca and her team.

For more information, contact Katelyn Brinkerhoff, horticulture educator for ISU Extension and Outreach Woodbury County, at kbrink@iastate.edu or 712-276-2157 or Carter Oliver, county director for ISU Extension and Outreach Harrison County, can be reached at cpoliver@iastate.edu or 712-644-2105.

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