Truffles: The Earth's Ultimate Mushrooms w/ William Padilla-Brown

Truffles: The Earth’s Ultimate Mushrooms

A Talk with William Padilla-Brown

📍 s’gʷi gʷi ʔ altxʷ (House of Welcome) – Longhouse, Evergreen Campus

📅 Friday, May 16th | 🕕 6 PM

📍 2800 Dogtooth Lane NW, Olympia, WA 98505

Truffles are more than a delicacy—they’re ancient ecological collaborators that have shaped life on Earth in profound ways. Join multidisciplinary mycologist and cultural ecologist William Padilla-Brown for an immersive journey into the world of truffles, beyond the borders of European cuisine.

In this talk, William weaves evolutionary biology, anthropology, and ecology to uncover the deep symbiotic relationships truffles form in nature and their role in Indigenous and global food traditions. He’ll highlight often-overlooked North American truffle species and their potential to support regenerative agriculture, local economies, and resilient food systems.

Whether you’re a mushroom enthusiast, grower, or curious about the hidden networks beneath our feet, this is your invitation to reimagine our relationship with these underground treasures.

Truffles have captivated humanity for centuries, but their story goes far beyond European gourmet traditions. This talk explores truffles through the lens of evolutionary biology, uncovering their ancient symbiotic relationships and ecological significance. We’ll dive into the anthropology of truffle use across cultures, challenge the overemphasis on European varieties, and highlight the diverse, often-overlooked North American species. Finally, we’ll discuss the emerging potential for a thriving agrarian and foraging culture in the U.S., redefining our connection to these underground treasures. Whether you’re a mycophile, farmer, or forager, this talk will expand your understanding of truffles and their place in our ecosystems and economies.