Woodland log-grown mushrooms are a relatively new, niche crop in New York. The Cornell Small Farms Program announced a new two year project funded through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant to support the development of this new niche crop in New York State; log grown shitake mushrooms. The crop is positioned for adoption by farmers who are interested in developing diversified niche crops on their farm.
Research and development at Cornell over the past decade, along with several partnerships and research projects has enabled greater understanding of the technical and business aspects of a small farm log-grown shiitake enterprise. Woodland log-grown mushrooms are a relatively new, niche crop and are low-input, high output enterprise that can also offset land taxes.
Over the next two years, the grant will focus on developing the following opportunities for farmers in New York:
- A printed planning tool will be published in early 2017 to support enterprise development by farmers. It will include enterprise budget worksheets, timelines for implementations, yield projection planning tools, an outline of safety and sanitation requirements and procedures for value-added products utilizing mushrooms.
- Self-directed online training modules on advanced topics for mushroom cultivation including mushroom identification, forest management, production safety & sanitation measures, and strategic marketing will be released in 2017.
- In 2017 and 2018, Small Farms will host 5 trainings at regional Cooperative Extension offices in Wyoming, Schuyler, Franklin, Putnam, and Greene Counties. The trainings will be two days, offering enterprise planning sessions on the first day, and individual farm consultations on day two. (see dates below)
- The program will solicit applications from farms for customized one-on-one support developing enterprise plans for their farm. Ongoing guidance and support will enable farms to develop robust and resilient plans for log-grown shiitake growing operations.
- The project will culminate with a report describing the potential markets and further development of the crop in New York, including market channel assessment for five geographic regions in New York State to help define markets and opportunities for farmers.
For more information and to participate in the project visit the following website: http://blogs.cornell.edu/mushrooms/viability
In 2017 they are offering a workshop on Sunday, February 5, 2017, “Log-Grown Shiitake: Viability for Small Farms” at the Wyoming County Cooperative Extension (Consultations on Feb 6).
Other dates and locations are available at Cornell Small Farms Program website
