Connect and Learn - Home Mushroom Cultivation

Connect and Learn + Share Table

Home Mushroom Cultivation

Monday 20 November 2023

6.30 pm - 8.30 pm

Attend in person or via Zoom

Join us at Level 3 Meeting Rooms, Toowoomba City Library, Corner of Herries and Victoria Streets, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, or attend online.  We'll send you the Zoom link once you book.

This is the monthly Connect and Learn evening for Permaculture Toowoomba Inc.

Bookings are Essential

Bookings are essential so we have contact details and know how many will be attending.

What We'll Do

6.30 pm - Learn - Home Mushroom Cultivation

Facilitated by Robyn and Ken, Top of the Range Gourmet Mushrooms

• Would you like to grow delicious, nutritious mushrooms at home?
• Growing mushrooms, or buying local, is an excellent way to increase the diversity and nutrition of the produce you eat.

In this informative session with demonstration, Robyn and Ken will teach us about:

• The many varieties of mushrooms that they grow right here in Toowoomba
• The many health benefits and uses of mushrooms
• How to fruit Oyster Mushrooms from spawn
• How to cultivate Shiitake Mushrooms on logs

Available to buy on the night

Robyn and Ken will bring

• Grow Your Own Oyster Mushroom Kits.  All the hard work has been done so you can take a kit home and start fruiting and harvesting your own fresh mushrooms.  Each kit has 2 different varieties of Oyster Mushrooms and many are native to Australia. $25.00 per kit.
• Grow your Own Lions Mane Kits. Ready to fruit Lions Mane kits to take home and enjoy the health benefits of these unusual mushrooms.  $25 per kit. 
• Inoculated Shiitake Dowel Kits.  An easy option to make your own Shiitake Growing Logs.  Each kit includes 20 dowels. $10.00 per kit.
• Fresh, dehydrated and powdered Mushrooms.

Did you know?

• Oyster Mushrooms are rich in antioxidants that can help reduce or prevent cell damage. Antioxidants fight free radicals, which are linked to diseases like cancer.
• Oyster Mushrooms are the only low FODMAP mushroom so people with some digestive issues can enjoy them.
• One cup of Oyster Mushrooms gives you 12% of your recommended iron intake which makes them a great meat substitute.
• Springtime is a great time to try growing your own Oyster Mushrooms.
• While mushrooms may be delicious sliced raw on a salad, they are more nutritious when cooked. Many nutrients in mushrooms are more accessible after they have been cooked, and cooking also destroys any toxins and carcinogens.

Top of the Range Gourmet Mushrooms

Ken and Robyn have worked in Agricultural Research for over 35 years.  Robyn until 2010 worked for a Seed Company in their Plant Breeding Research team.  Ken has a PhD (Mycology) and has worked as a Plant Pathologist for a seed company, had various roles at the GRDC, and most recently works for Bioherbicides Australia where they try to develop biological tree control using fungi native to Australia for various introduced tree weeds.  

Fungi of all types have always been of special interest and Ken and Robyn started Top of the Range Gourmet Mushrooms in 2018 growing and marketing a range of delicious mushrooms.  Every Saturday at the Toowoomba Farmers Market, under the windmills at Cobb & Co, they sell fresh, dehydrated and powdered mushroom varieties including King Oyster, Native Enoki, Piopinno, Chestnuts, Oysters, Shiitake, Lions Mane, Wood Ear, and Nameko.  The range is growing every year.  TRGM also supplies a number of restaurants in the area with a range of mushrooms for their menu.  A special interest is native Australian mushrooms and they are always on the look out for new edible mushrooms to add to their collection.

Top of the Range Gourmet Mushrooms

Toowoomba Farmers Market

7.45 pm – Connect – Light Supper (provided) and Share Table

A light supper will be served (including Gluten Free and Vegan options).

Sharing of produce on the Share Table opens after the presentation to allow plenty of time for everyone to place their donations, and then give you the opportunity to browse, connect and make your selections during supper

Share Table

Do you have surplus?

We encourage you to bring your surplus produce, plants, seeds, books, craft supplies, and resources to share with others at our monthly Connect and Learn evenings.

Some ideas of what you could bring include – fruit, vegetables, herbs, eggs, honey, milk, jams, pickles, preserves, jars, ferments, starters, SCOBYs, seeds, plants, seedlings, cuttings, tubers, pots, tools, gardening magazines, permaculture books, recipes, patterns, manure, coffee grounds, compost additives, worms, mealworms, wool, fabric, craft supplies, soap, natural cleaning products, plastic alternatives, produce bags – the list is extensive.

Please bring whatever you can and then take home whatever you need within our culture of generosity and free sharing

Membership

2024 Membership Renewals are now due for all members

• Annual Membership of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. is due by 31 December each year. 
• It's only $40 per person or $30 for a second or subsequent adult living in the same home.  
  
• Financial Members can attend events and workshops during the year at no cost. 
• You can pay your membership for 2024 at checkout when you book to attend this event.
• Membership forms will be available at the event for anyone wishing to join, or available here for download at http://www.permaculturetoowoomba.com.au/membership/

Parking

Free off-street parking is available under the library (enter from Victoria Street).

Access

The venue has access for wheelchairs, walking frames, and strollers as needed. Everyone is welcome (including children with parental supervision).

We hope we see you there!

Cost

• Financial Members of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. - Free
• First-time Visitors to a Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. Event - Free
• Non-Members - $10 per person
• Children attending with an Adult - Free (but please book so we know the total numbers)