Mount Shasta Mycological Society Fall Fungus Fair
Greetings, mycophiles!
Join the Mount Shasta Mycological Society for our Fall Fungus Fair, a community celebration of the fascinating fungi of Northern California!
Explore a diverse display of locally collected mushrooms, learn from knowledgeable speakers and workshops, meet local vendors, and discover the important roles fungi play in our forests, ecosystems, and lives.
Whether you’re a seasoned mushroom hunter or simply curious about the fungal world, come connect, learn, and celebrate the incredible diversity found right here in the Mount Shasta region.
Lineup
10:30AM - 11:30AM | Anton Keys | Where the Forest Meets the Sea: Edible Fungi of the Oregon Coast
Join Chef-Mycologist Anton Keys, also known as Chef Clamz, for an exploration of the edible fungi and diverse forest ecosystems of the Oregon Coast. Rather than looking at mushrooms as isolated organisms, this presentation explores the relationships that help us understand where and when they fruit. Anton will move through several of Oregon’s coastal habitats, from dune forests and shore pine communities to Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, and mixed coastal forests, examining how tree associations, soil, moisture, elevation, weather, and seasonality influence fungal communities. Using some of the coast’s most celebrated edible fungi, including porcini, matsutake, chanterelles, lobster mushrooms, hedgehogs, cauliflower mushrooms, and more, Anton will share observations from years spent studying, harvesting, cooking, and following fungi across the landscape. The presentation will also explore responsible harvesting, seasonal patterns, and the connection between understanding an ecosystem and bringing wild food to the table. This is a talk about more than finding mushrooms. It is about learning to listen to what this wonderful world wants to share with us! --- With more than two decades of experience in the seafood industry and nearly a decade immersed in mycology, Anton brings a deep appreciation for wild foods and the ecosystems that produce them. After growing up along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and working in seafood markets, restaurants, and commercial crabbing, he turned his attention to studying, cultivating, and harvesting wild mushrooms. Now based on the Oregon Coast, he is the founder of Tide to Table, where he combines locally sourced seafood with foraged mushrooms and native plants to create food rooted in season and place. His work celebrates the connection between responsible harvesting, local ecosystems, and the meals we share.
11:45AM - 1:15PM | Liz Vermillion | Mushroom Dye 101
Mushroom Dye 101 Liz Vermillion is a CA herbalist, forager and board member of three Northern California Mycological Societies. Her main interest, aside from edible and medicinal mushrooms, is fiber arts - crafting with fungi and gaining inspiration from nature. She has taught workshops at many fungus fairs and events on how to dye with mushrooms, sculpting mushrooms using air dry clay and paper-making among other fiber arts, but will be focusing on how to create dyes and pigments using locally foraged mushrooms. Each guest will get to dye their own silk handkerchief provided to take home, but are welcome to bring in their own animal protein fabrics to dye as well. A brief intro to pigment making using leftover dye baths will also be discussed.
1:30PM - 2:30PM | Dylan Goldfine-Middleton | In the Realm of Wild Fungi: Mycodiversity and Mushroom Culture in China's Yunnan Province
Yunnan Province, located in far southwestern China, is home to some of the world’s most diverse ecosystems – and hundreds of species of edible mushrooms. Widely acclaimed as the “Realm of Wild Fungi”, Yunnan’s unique climate and varied topography create the perfect environment for many familiar genera also found on the West Coast of North America – morels, boletes, chanterelles, and matsutake, among others – as well as an extraordinary variety of prized edible and medicinal mushrooms found nowhere else on Earth. Yunnan is also China’s most ethnically diverse province, featuring a rich tapestry of minority communities, each with unique cultural practices and age-old traditions rooted in the mycological superabundance of the region. Thanks in large part to the knowledge and efforts of its indigenous peoples, Yunnan's mushrooms now play a vital role not only in colorful local cuisines, but also in esteemed culinary creations throughout Asia and across the globe, giving rise to a multibillion-dollar annual economy of domestic and export sales. This presentation explores the fascinating land of Yunnan with a focus on the deeply intertwined relationships between its fungi and its peoples, seen through the lens of historical record and locally-produced media as well as the presenter’s own experience living in the province. Many surprising connections between Yunnanese mushroom culture and Mount Shasta will be revealed in this unconventional celebration of mushrooms and mycophiles the world over. --- Born and raised in Southern and Central California respectively, Dylan first came to McCloud on a week-long mushroom foray in the spring of 2010, and he has continued to seek out and study the diverse fungi of our area every year since. Dylan graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2019 with a dual bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and Chinese Language, and subsequently completed his master’s degree in East Asian Studies at Stanford University in 2023, submitting for his graduate thesis a detailed historical commentary and complete annotated translation of the world’s earliest edible mushroom manual, Chen Renyu’s Junpu (1245). Having taken up full-time residency in the town of Mount Shasta in 2020, Dylan currently serves the local community as a volunteer docent at the Mount Shasta Sisson Museum, offering English and Chinese-language interpretive tours to visitors from near and far. Professionally, Dylan works as a language tutor, writing coach, and freelance editor, in addition to his seasonal role as an experienced commercial forager providing gourmet wild mushrooms to restaurants, markets, and private parties across Northern California and Southern Oregon. Professionally, Dylan works year-round as a Chinese language teacher, English writing coach, and freelance college admissions consultant. During mushroom season, he also works as a commercial forager, providing gourmet edible fungi to restaurants, markets, and private parties across Northern California and Southern Oregon. In the mushroom off-season, Dylan is an avid rockhound and lapidarist as well, ever in search of geological treasures across the American West.
2:45PM - 4:15PM | Elle Matthews | Foraging Connection: Community, Culture and Cuisine Through the Lens of Mushrooms
Foraging connection: community, culture and cuisine through the lens of mushrooms In this class participants will explore the hyphal threads that unite us all through the avenue of mushroom centered foods that excite the palate and the soul. Learn the inspirations behind these dishes and how to recreate them in your own home. --- Elle Matthews lives on a small farm in Northern California with her partner, son and their animals. She is a farmer, and forager and makes products from their forages and the food they grow. She sells these products through her mushroom and wild food company MushLove, as well as leading forays and events focused on mushrooms and other wild foods. She is passionate about nature and helping her community and loves connecting the two by inspiring people to become educated about and involved in the natural world around them.
4:30PM - 5:30PM | Andrew Claassen | Funga of Siskiyou
Funga of Siskiyou Join mycologist and bio educator Andrew Claassen on a journey through the incredibly diverse, delicious, and debonair fungi that call Siskiyou County their home. They have studied fungi in the region for over 6 years, and have DNA sequenced over 30 unique and undescribed species. Because of its diverse and complex geology and heavy volcanism, the region is a world famous hot spot for unusual mushrooms, morels, and boletes alike. You won't want to miss this hour with one of the region's most knowledgeable experts. ___ Andrew Claassen is a prominent community mycologist, forest ecologist, bio-educator, and naturalist based out of Shasta County, Northern California. Describing himself as an autodidact, he focuses heavily on documenting, researching, and educating the public about the rich and diverse fungal taxonomy of the North American West Coast. Claassen is the co-founder and currently an educator at the Mount Shasta Mycological Society. He acts as a collection specialist for Mycota Lab and Shasta Spore (a private taxonomy and rare species cultivation laboratory). He was also previously a collection specialist for the FunDis (North American Fungal Diversity Survey) California Project. He has documented more than 800+ species of fungi and 800+ species of plants across the Pacific West, specializing deeply in unique habitats such as montane regions, coastal wetlands, and water-scarce mushroom environments.
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FAQs
- Is entry free?
We kindly suggest a donation of $10-20 at the door, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Presentations are available for any participant to attend! Workshops require additional tickets that can be acquired at the door or register ahead of time by purchasing tickets online.
- Is this event pet friendly?
All registered service animals are welcome, we kindly ask you leave other furry friends at home!
- Where can I park?
Parking is available all around the venue. We ask that you park head-in, rather than parallel, to maximize parking availability.
- Is this event family friendly?
Kids 12 and under are free to enter the event! We will have child-friendly arts and craft spaces available, and all our workshops and presentations are All-Ages. If children are interested in workshops, they will require additional tickets to attend.
- Is there alcohol at this event?
Yes, there will be beer and wine available for purchase for those 21 and over.
- Is there food at this event?
There will be food-centered workshops as well as catering provided by Phett's Lao Cuisine featuring traditional dishes made with local mushrooms!
- What is the All Access Pass?
The All Access Pass gives you access to all workshops, rather than purchasing individual tickets to each (+ a little discount!)! By the time you're done, you'll be a myco expert!
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Terms and Conditions
1. Parties
This Agreement is entered into between the undersigned participant (“Participant”) and the Mount Shasta Mycological Society (“MSMS”), a program operating under the fiscal sponsorship of the Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center (“MSBEC”), a California nonprofit organization.
This Agreement applies to participation in educational mushroom forays, walks, and related outdoor activities (“Activities”) led by MSMS representatives and volunteer guides.
2. Assumption of Risk
Participant understands that the Activities involve inherent risks, including uneven terrain, natural obstacles, weather conditions, wildlife, and limited access to immediate medical care.
Participant voluntarily assumes all risks associated with participation, including those arising from negligence.
3. Release of Liability
Participant releases and agrees to hold harmless Mount Shasta Mycologicall Society, Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center, the McCloud Dance Hall, and their officers, directors, employees, volunteers, agents, and representatives (“Released Parties”) from any and all claims, liabilities, or damages arising from participation in the Activities.
4. Waiver & Agreement Not to Sue
Participant agrees not to bring any legal action against the Released Parties and accepts full responsibility for their participation.
Participant further agrees to indemnify the Released Parties from any claims resulting from their actions during the Activities.
5. Nature of Activity
Participant understands that the Activities are educational in nature and involve observing and discussing fungi and the natural environment.
6. Medical Responsibility
Participant affirms they are physically able to participate and understands that emergency assistance may be delayed due to location.
8. Minors
If participant is a minor, the undersigned agrees to these terms on behalf of the minor.
9. Acknowledgment
Participant has read and understands this Agreement and voluntarily agrees to its terms, including the waiver of the right to sue.
10. Photo and video release
By attending the Mount Shasta Mycological Society Fall Fungus Fair, attendees acknowledge that photography, video, and audio recording may occur during workshops, presentations, demonstrations, and throughout public areas of the event. By entering and participating in the event, attendees grant the Mount Shasta Mycological Society permission to photograph, film, and record them and to use their image, likeness, and/or voice for educational, promotional, archival, social media, website, and other nonprofit-related purposes, without compensation. Attendees who do not wish to be photographed or recorded should notify event staff upon arrival. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate these requests. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for notifying event staff if they do not wish for a minor in their care to be photographed or recorded.
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