Learn the skills needed to utilize wild edible and medicinal mushrooms! Spend an exciting day at the Herbal Bear Catskill Cabin with our instructor Bob Beyfus, learning about wild mushrooms and their many uses.

The course provides an introduction to wild mushroom identification. Emphasis is on basic identification skills of wild mushrooms, including edible mushrooms, medicinal mushrooms and their poisonous look-alikes. Students will learn  how to use a key to identify mushrooms and the terminology used to distinguish common mushrooms and relatives. Basic fungal biology and ecology will be discussed.

The class covers mushroom foraging fundamentals, including:

·  Where to look for different species: habitat preferences

·  When to harvest different species: seasonal growth patterns

·  Non-edible look-alikes and poisonous mushrooms to avoid

·  Mushroom cultivation

·  Storing and preserving wild mushrooms

·  A review of useful resources: books and websites on mushrooms

The course begins with a slide show presentation that explains how to identify a wide variety of mushrooms found in the Northeast. The course continues with a mushroom foraging hike. The afternoon is spent practicing identification skills with the mushrooms gathered on the foraging hike, learning mushroom cultivation techniques. Hand-outs are provided with resources for further learning.

Each Student must have:

1. A copy of the Audubon Field Guide to mushrooms.
2. A hand magnifying glass.
3. Hiking shoes suitable for walking in the woods.
4. Rain gear - in case on inclement weather.

You may bring your own copy of  or purchase one at the time of registration for this class. Your purchased copy will be given to you at the class.

Each student will receive a mushroom kit that they can take home and grow their very own mushrooms. Tuition includes lunch. Lodging is not included. If you wish to stay in the area – we can recommend several local motels or inns.

The registration fee will include a non-refundable $35.00 per student fee that can not be applied to any other class. No refunds will be made for missed classes or cancellations that are made less than two weeks before the class begins. We will not make refunds or offer make-up sessions for classes missed by the student. For more information about our refund policy - please click HERE.

NOTE: All students must be pre-enrolled and paid in order to attend the classes.
We will not accept walk ins.

Some Mushroom Videos of interest: