Shiitake Mushroom Log Workshop

Participants in this workshop can expect to learn the basics of growing Shiitake mushrooms on hardwood logs. Everyone will also get to participate in the hands-on experience of inoculating logs with Shiitake sawdust spawn, using the drill-and-fill method. Each participant will leave the workshop with an inoculated log to take home, as well as the knowledge of how to properly care for it in order to produce mushrooms to eat. The cultivation of other gourmet and medicinal mushrooms will also be discussed.

Presenter Bio:

Andy Gedeon is an Athens native, entrepreneur, and mushroom enthusiast. Along with his partner, he is currently farming Shiitake, Lion’s Mane, and Oyster mushrooms and will be vending them at the Athens Farmers Market this year. Ten acres of land just outside of Athens has become Soulshine Acres, a small agroforestry venture with big plans. Focused on sustainable practices for obtaining logs and growing mushrooms in harmony with the land, they hope to benefit both the environment and the people of Athens. He is a firm believer that mushrooms are not only a vital food source for our community, but also rich source of medicines for the mind and body. Sharing his knowledge of how to cultivate mushrooms is a way of empowering people, and providing them with food security.