Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Wild-harvested Mushroom Certification Class will return this spring, offering mushroom hunters a valuable opportunity to hone their identification skills, learn more about their favorite mushrooms and connect with fellow mushroom hunters. The class is particularly relevant for those hoping to sell wild-harvested mushrooms, as sellers are legally required to complete a certification workshop to sell eight different varieties of wild-harvested mushrooms.
The class, led by Chelsea Harbach, plant disease diagnostician with Iowa State University, will begin with an online lecture followed by a mandatory in-person workshop. The online lecture will be delivered live via Zoom and will be recorded for later viewing. Attendance at the live Zoom session is not required, but participants are encouraged to review the online lecture prior to attending the in-person workshops.
Attendance at the in-person workshop is mandatory for certification as the exam will be conducted during the in-person workshop. In-person workshops will be held March 15, March 29 and April 12, and registration is $60. Participants are only required to attend one of the three available in-person workshops to receive certification. Visit the Wild-harvested Mushrooms Certification website to register. Participants will receive the link for the live Zoom lecture when they register for a workshop.
Harbach, who has conducted the workshop for the past two years, has enjoyed the opportunity to cultivate a community of fellow mushroom lovers and highlights the importance of distinguishing commonly harvested mushroom species from lookalikes.
“This certification helps ensure the safety of wild-harvested mushrooms sold in Iowa, by training the people foraging and selling them. Nobody wants to get sick from a misidentified mushroom. There are real health risks we are trying to prevent with this certification,” said Harbach.
The state of Iowa legally requires a certification workshop that covers identifying mushrooms and distinguishing them from lookalikes in order to sell eight different species: morel, oyster, chanterelles, hen of the woods, chicken of the woods, lion’s mane, pheasant back and black trumpet. Iowans who have not been certified to sell morel mushrooms for three or more years must recertify this year.
Registration is open to out-of-state individuals who hunt and sell in Iowa; however, additional certification may be required to sell in other states. To register, visit the Wild-harvested Mushrooms Certification website. Email pidc@iastate.edu if you have questions about training and certification status.
Additional resources on safe mushroom harvesting are also available from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Author:
Chelsea Harbach
Plant Disease Diagnostician
charbach@iastate.edu