Mushrooms
Mushrooms are estimated to be grown on 85 farms throughout the state with a value of $4.3 million each year. New York State ranks tenth in the country for mushroom production (2022 Census of Ag). Many types of mushrooms can be grown. Most mushrooms grown in our region of New York are Shiitake or Oysters, both considered "specialty mushrooms" by the USDA. These mushrooms are grown in a variety of outdoor, indoor, and hybrid systems including on logs, in the ground, in raised beds, or in blocks contained in buckets or plastic bags. Crops are sold fresh, dry, powdered, or incorporated into value-added products.
Relevant Events
Lake Erie Region Summer Meeting
July 24, 2025
Brant, NY
Vegetable Pest and Cultural Management Field Meeting for Auction Growers -- Seneca Produce Auction
July 30, 2025
Romulus, NY
Niagara Region Summer Meeting, 2025
August 7, 2025
Ransomville, NY
Things to Consider When Adding Specialty Mushrooms to Your Farm
Lori Koenick, Extension Support Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
Let's set aside the familiar button, cremini, and portabella mushrooms (all in the same species of Agaricus mushrooms) and focus on a different and growing segment of the mushroom industry: specialty mushrooms. The USDA defines "specialty mushrooms" as any non-Agaricus mushroom, which includes Shiitake, Oyster, Lion's Mane, and many more.
Specialty mushroom production benefits include new income sources, crop diversification, utilization of unused space or waste streams, and building soil health. These mushrooms are grown in a variety of low-cost ways in outdoor, indoor, and hybrid systems including on logs, in the ground, in raised beds, or in blocks contained in buckets or plastic bags.
Asparagus
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Mushrooms
Onions
Parsnips
Peas
Peppers
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
Lake Erie Region Summer Meeting
July 24, 2025
Brant, NY
This meeting will cover organic and conventional management and will be relevant for producers of all sizes. This broad-reaching meeting will feature a mixed fresh market field walk, potatoes, sprayer calibration, and disease control in table and wine grapes. We'll cover organic and conventional controls and present information for growers of all scales of production.
2.0 DEC (0.5 CORE, 1.0 Veg, 0.5 Fruit)
Vegetable Pest and Cultural Management Field Meeting for Auction Growers -- Seneca Produce Auction
July 30, 2025
Romulus, NY
This evening meeting will demonstrate pest management in fresh market vegetables in both field and greenhouse (high tunnel) vegetables, primarily for those growing for wholesale auction. A hands-on demonstration of weed, insect and disease identification in vegetables including management options. Details on each topic will focus on field observations at the farm.
2.0 DEC credits in categories 10, 1a, 23, and 24.
Niagara Region Summer Meeting, 2025
August 7, 2025
Ransomville, NY
We're in for a treat! Professor Steve Reiners is coming as a part of his pre-retirement speaking tour! Steve's a fantastic, down-to-earth speaker with extensive knowledge on horticultural techniques, fertility, varieties, and much more. Don't miss this event! Topics include "what exactly do NPK and other nutrients do inside the plants?", a pest/disease field walk, sweet corn variety trial, a tar spot primer, spraying best practices, and industry updates. Content will be relevant for organic, CNG, and conventional growers.
DEC credits requested.