Workshop | Mushroom Inoculation | Presented by TPC

August 22 | 10 AM – 12 PM

Class Fee: $25 per person, the fee must be paid in advance. Check made out to Tannery Pond Center, mail or drop off!

RSVP: call 518-251-2505 or email director@tannerypondcenter.org to reserve your spot.

Location: Tannery Pond Center

Max Class Size: 10 (minimum 7 years old, children must be accompanied by an adult)

This workshop is made possible, in part, by the Adirondack Foundation’s Generous Acts grant.

A mushroom log inoculation class teaches participants to transform hardwood logs into mushroom farms by drilling holes, packing them with mushroom spawn (plugs or sawdust), and sealing them with wax, creating a sustainable food source that produces fungi such as oyster or shiitake over several years after a colonization period. This hands-on workshops covers log selection (dormant hardwoods like oak/birch), inoculation techniques, and post-inoculation care.

What You Learn
Log Selection: Identifying and selecting appropriate hardwood logs (oak, maple, birch) cut during dormancy for best results.

Inoculation: Drilling holes and inserting mushroom spawn (e.g., shiitake, oyster) into the logs. I will also teach students that other mushroom mycelium can be grown the same way.

Sealing: Covering the spawn with wax to protect it from drying out and contamination.

Care & Fruiting: Understanding the colonization period (months to a year) and how to “force” mushrooms to fruit through soaking or waiting for the right conditions.

What Students Get
A log inoculated with mushroom mycelium.

Written instructions for continued care.

Why Attend
Great for beginners, gardeners, and foragers.

Learn a sustainable way to grow your own food.

Often a fun, social activity with a focus on nature and food.

Why should we include mushrooms in our diet?
Shiitake and oyster mushrooms are nutritious fungi, low in calories but rich in fiber, B vitamins, copper, and immune-boosting polysaccharides, supporting heart health, gut function, and immunity, with shiitakes also offering vitamin D and ergothioneine for antioxidant effects, while oyster mushrooms provide beta-glucans for cholesterol.

Shiitake Mushrooms (Lentinula Edodes)

Immune Support: Contain polysaccharides (like lentinans) that enhance immune response and boost white blood cell production.

Heart Health: Have eritadenine and beta-glucans, which help lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation.

Nutrient-Rich: Good source of B vitamins (especially B5), copper (vital for immunity), zinc, fiber, and vitamin D.

Antioxidants: Contain ergothioneine, which fights oxidative stress, and may have antiviral/antibacterial properties.

Digestive & Oral Health: Fiber aids digestion, and compounds can help balance mouth bacteria, benefiting gums and preventing gingivitis.

Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus Ostreatus)

Heart Health: Contain beta-glucans, which help manage cholesterol levels, and potassium for blood pressure.

Immune Support: Also rich in beta-glucans, bolstering immune function.

Nutrient-Rich: Provide fiber, potassium, and antioxidants, promoting fullness and digestive health.