Wow, sometimes you look up and POOF! time got right past you and a year or more has passed.
Pilgrimage Farm LLC has been busy and active in the real world last year, tried several new experimental mushroom growing methodologies, new strains, created a whole spore print to spawn program with nutrient enriched agar. I really do wish I had a bit of help, or just would be nice to have someone to share with.
Fails for ’25
This list is to remind myself that NOT every baby lives.
- 1/2 Gallon buckets FAILED every attempt to cultivate 4 different species with 5 different substrates
- Lions Mane even from stable clean slant is very susceptible to contamination in the short term
- Beefsteak mushroom mycelium is strong and aggressive, however it only eats more decayed material
- Rhodotorula an airborn red yeast, known as bread yeast is not “considered” to be a contaminate, it is not harmful to humans, however, it can decimate Oyster mushrooms, the spore can live thru super-pasteurization and it likes to live on sterile plastics
- Water collection, while very “green” is difficult to maintain level of sterility in fruit room
Wins in 25′
- Murfreesboro market share at RCFM was better than expected, and has potential for growth
- “The Farm” market continues to be a strong positive energy chanel and provide enough customer and emotional support
- Patient and careful long term results for Lions Mane production from slant produced verilent and very strong spawn
- New – Old process of steam, powered by propane, for super-pasteurization emerged as more effective for stable production
- Off-Grid power investment made it possible to continue fruiting an additional 2 months at very low cost
- Vehicles, facility, and Equipment performed well and are in fresh good working order for 26′
- Smyrna Depot market with Carpe Artista emerged as a more effective Saturday market for 1st and 3rd
- Both RCFM and Manchester Parks and Rec supported winter markets in Fall of 25′ and Spring of 26′
Bottom Line
I have now started planting my 10th season of Shiitake mushrooms here in middle TN, it may well be my last season, and thats OK. I will be at markets in 26′ and I hope with focus and dedication to be able to return for 10 more years.
