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
Orleans Regional Winter Vegetable Meeting
February 9, 2026
Albion, NY
African Eggplant Participatory Breeding Kick-Off
March 5, 2026
2026 NYS Processing Vegetable Educational Meeting
March 16, 2026
Batavia, NY
2026 NYS Dry Bean Meeting and Cutting Event
March 20, 2026
Geneva, 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
Eden Area Winter Vegetable Meeting
February 4, 2026
North Collins, NY
Join us for a mix of industry updates, crop protection talks, pesticide safety programming, and fertility management discussions. This meeting is jointly hosted by the Cornell Vegetable Program and Timac Laing-Gro.
1.25 DEC credits available in CORE plus 1.75 in 1a and 23.
Orleans Regional Winter Vegetable Meeting
February 9, 2026
Albion, NY
Topics include: Breeding and evaluating tomatoes to control disease and improve yield, jar testing and ensuring spray water quality, breaking down organic matter, FSMA updates and Q&A with Ag & Markets, and industry updates. Includes hands-on learning, coffee break, and sponsor booths.
DEC credits available: 1.0 in CORE plus 0.5 in 1a, 10 or 23
African Eggplant Participatory Breeding Kick-Off
March 5, 2026
Join us to learn about the Cornell African Eggplant Research Project and learn how you can participate! African eggplant, also known as Bitterball, Garden Egg, Kittley and other names, is an important crop for many members of our community with heritage from regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Brazil. Since 2024, the Cornell African Eggplant Research Project has been collaborating with growers and community partners across New York to develop high-quality varieties adapted to the Northeast U.S. In this meeting, we will share information about growing and preparing African eggplant, highlight our research to date, and invite partners to collaborate with us in our 2026 participatory breeding and variety selection efforts.
COST: FREE! You must pre-register to receive the Zoom link.