Mushrooms

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
Vegetable Pest and Cultural Management Field Meeting for Auction Growers -- Ontario Produce Auction

July 15, 2025
Stanley, NY
Orleans Summer Vegetable Meeting, 2025

July 16, 2025
Waterport, NY
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.


Upcoming Events
Vegetable Pest and Cultural Management Field Meeting for Auction Growers -- Ontario Produce Auction

July 15, 2025
Stanley, 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.
Orleans Summer Vegetable Meeting, 2025

July 16, 2025
Waterport, NY
Meeting themes are pest management in a wide array of produce and best practices for pesticide use. Professor Brian Nault will cover allium leaf miner and thrips in onions, garlic, and leeks, and discuss insect challenges in other crops. Bring your questions! We'll also have a field walk that includes high tunnel tomato and cucumber.
DEC credits available: 0.5 in CORE plus either 1.25 in 1a and 23, or 0.75 in 24.
Vegetable Pest and Cultural Management Field Meeting for Auction Growers -- Finger Lakes Produce Auction

July 18, 2025
Penn Yan, 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.