Food Processing - Food Handling

In his 4-hour hands-on workshop, Magruder is helping mushroom lovers from Asheville and surrounding areas discover how they can enjoy organic gourmet mushrooms at a fraction of the cost by growing them year-round on hardwood logs. Through lecture and hands-on experience, Magruder leads participants through the entire mushroom growing process of selecting logs and suitable mushroom strains for their growing area; inoculating, incubating, and arranging the logs for optimum yield; and harvesting ripe mushrooms for peak flavor. By workshop end, each participant will have the information, experience, and resources they need to create a bountiful shitake mushroom garden.

Since shitake mushroom logs take up minimal space and can fruit both indoors and out, Magruder’s workshop is suitable for homeowners and apartment dwellers alike. Also, no gardening experience is necessary because once started, a mushroom garden will produce again and again with little or no attention.

How to Register…
To register for March 19 or April 2, contact Tom Magruder at 828-296-1121 The workshop costs $65 in advance and $75 at the door. In addition to hands-on experience, participants will receive a 2-foot shitake mushroom log ($30 value) to help them begin their mushroom garden. Attendance is limited, and advance registration is strongly encouraged. Participants should bring work gloves and wear suitable clothes to work outdoors. The outdoor work area is covered for rain or shine.

About Tom Magruder…
Tom Magruder has been an avid home gardener for over 25 years. He believes that successful gardening comes from working with the essential intelligence of nature, and specializes in growing organic produce year-round. He has been cultivating shitake, oyster, and maitake mushrooms for 4 years.

For More Information…
For more information about workshops or individual instruction, or to purchase mushroom logs or fresh mushrooms, please contact Tom at 828-296-1121