Please see the press release below for information about two upcoming
wild-foraged mushroom certification courses to be held on Saturday, October
17 in Lansing and Saturday, October 24 in Mackinaw City.
Also be aware that the Emmet Conservation District will be doing a Fall
Mushroom course with Marilynn Smith at the University of Michigan
Biological Station in Pellston, MI on Sat. Oct. 3, 2015 from 10am-noon;
cost attendance is $15, and the first 20 folks that register will get
field guides
Mushroom Experts Offer More Certification Courses this Fall
This information is being shared by MDARD as a courtesy to the course
sponsors.
Mushroom Experts Offer More Certification Courses this Fall
Two additional wild-foraged mushroom certification courses will be offered
this fall in East Lansing and Mackinaw City to train and certify foragers
who commercially harvest and sell wild mushrooms in Michigan. The courses,
developed and presented by Midwest American Mycology Information, the
Institute for Sustainable Living, Art & Natural Design, and the Michigan
Farmers Market Association, are the last classes until next fall. Those who
are not yet certified who would like to collect and sell mushrooms in
Michigan in the spring or summer of 2016 are encouraged to register.
Michigan Food Law requires all mushrooms foraged for sale be collected by a
certified wild-foraged mushroom expert. The Michigan Department of
Agriculture and Rural Development recognizes those who successfully pass the
one-day course as experts and provides certification that is valid for five
years.
The full-day training sessions focus on the biology and morphological
characteristics used in the identification of mushrooms, and include
hands-on work with specimens, direct interaction with mycologists, and a
written exam at the end of the day. A test score of 80 percent or higher is
required to receive a certification as an approved mushroom identification
expert.
Cost for the training, which includes lunch, is $175 per person for those
who wish to be certified. This equates to a cost of about $35 per year for
the five-year certification. Farmers, farmers market managers, chefs,
restaurant owners, purchasing agents for grocers, and others who may have
interest in attending a workshop, but not necessarily in obtaining
certification, may attend for the reduced rate of $85. Registration fees go
directly to the sponsoring organizations and cover the cost of the training,
materials and lunch. No funds for this training go to the State of Michigan.
The exam will be difficult and thorough. Participants are urged to review
training materials before the course takes place. Participants should come
to the class fully prepared to take the certification exam. The class should
be considered a review session where you can review the curriculum with
mycologists, and have any questions answered regarding material you may not
find clear. Required curricula is available for review at:
http://www.midwestmycology.org/Mushrooms/Mushroom%20Study.html
Register at http://midwestmycology.org/Workshops/Workshops.html
Registration for each session closes at midnight on the Sunday prior to the
training session. Space is limited and available on a first come, first
served basis. Pre-registration is required.
Training dates and locations:
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Molecular Plant Sciences Building, Room 1200
1066 Bogue Street (near the corner of Wilson Road and Bogue Street)
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Registration: 8:30 a.m.
Course: 9 am 5 pm (includes examination time)
Registration Deadline: Sunday, October 11, 2015
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Mackinaw City (Location TBD)
Registration: 8:30 a.m.
Course: 9 am 5 pm (includes examination time)
Registration Deadline: Sunday, October 18, 2015
For more information, contact Chris Wright from Midwest American Mycological
Information, at [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
, or visit www.midwestmycology.org
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