Mushroom Cultivation Series - Part 1 Recap

Hello all,

Thanks everyone for the compliments on the event...  I know there are alot of people looking forward to parts 2 & 3!

Part 1 of the Cultivation Series went well...  about 33 people signed in and about 8 were not members... (Not yet anyway!)  :-)

MHMA just acquired (brand new in the box) digital video projector and once we got that working properly we watched portions of the video Let's Grow Mushrooms by Marc R. Keith (You can purchase your own copy here)->  http://astore.amazon.com/midhuorg-20/images/B0011ZJ53G

There was discussion after the film on the level of interest and what kind of projects people were interested in doing for the actual workshop in Part 3.  It seems that everyone was interested in at least doing some plug projects and there were a few hands indicating the desire to make a grow box and do an indoor application.

I told everyone I would assemble a "shopping list menu" to be available at Part 2 where everyone can place a supply order for the project(s) they will do at the Workshop/Part 3... 

The deadline to have me order supplies for you is Part 2 so if you cannot attend Part 2 but want to attend Part 3 please let me know IN ADVANCE of Part 2 so I can get your order...  MMMM-Kay?

Also: I am putting a call out for everyone to help us find the following items that we can borrow/have:
Pressure Cookers Type Designed For Canning / Need for workshop only (A couple of days from borrow to return date)
Canning Jars - Quart Wide Mouth / Need to borrow for about 1 month
Canning Jars - Pint Straight Edge (So solid contents will slide out)/ Need to borrow for about 1 month
Also Lids and rings to fit Jars

Cynthia gave a Treasurer's report and though we won't post numbers on the internet, the news was that the club while not having an excess, at least has enough money to keep rolling without worrying too much.  She discussed the importance of fundraisers to enable the club to make some key purchases...  Desired purchases include a digital output mycoscopy-level microscope and related supplies, a club "library" of resource books/films/etc..., and a centrally located "labspace" to store and use lab type equipment.  (Which could be as simple as a secure janitor's closet with a locking file cabinet and a folding table, access to a restroom and sink.)  So keep your eyes open for these items...

Fundraisers the club is engaged in or planning:
1) - Mushroom Reagent Kits - These are available now, make sure you get your kit(s) before they are gone.  The club has invested in the supplies to make kits including the three main reagents used for mushroom field identification...  Iron Sulfate / Ammonia / Potassium Hydroxide...  each kit includes 1 15ml dropper bottle with screw cap of each reagent in a sandwich size ziplock bag to throw in your pack...  $10 all profits go to MHMA...  Thanks to David Werner for his help in spearheading this project...

2) - Mushroom Calendar - This is in the planning stage...  We need everyone to send in their best photo submissions (along with caption and credit information) so we can put together a calendar for 2011...

3) - Mushroom Recipe Book(let) - This is also in the planning stage...  We were hoping to have enough material to publish in time for NEMF Foray this year...  It is still not out of the question, but to make that deadline we need some fast work...  So send in submissions as fast as you can... and if we make it in time for NEMF great, but no matter what we will make it so I'll just keep reminding you! :-)  PS: Also include pic whenever possible...

4) - T-Shirt - We would like to produce 3 T-Shirt designs to offer to members and pick one to make available at NEMF foray so submit your design as soon as possible...

5) - Amazon Associates Account - MHMA is enrolled in the program and any order placed on amazon that originates from MHMA website will generate at least a 4%  comission for MHMA.  This does not cost the purchaser any more, only rewards MHMA for the business.  So for yourself and everyone you know please make any amazon and all other internet purchases possible through amazon by starting at the MHMA page...  Ask me if you don't know what to do...

Cynthia also ran club leadership elections for the upcoming year...  The results:

*Officers:
President - Elmer LeSuer
Vice-Pres - Barbara Plume
Treasurer - Cynthia Fisher
Secretary - Kelly Sinclair

*Official Comittee Chairs:
Newsletter - Keiko Sono
Walks/Events - Jill Weiss
Website - Ira Weiss
Membership - Not Filled
Asset Controller / Librarian - Ira Weiss

*Please make sure to thank these people for stepping up to help make the club run more efficiently and make it a more valuable resource for all.

Also can you help?...
Keiko is collecting bits for the upcoming newsletter(s) so get her your interesting mushroom pictures, anecdotes and stories...
Jill is going to hit the ground running with Walks and Events planning so any questions or ideas make sure to get it touch with her...
Ira will help bring the website to the next level so again any ideas for something you'd like to see that's not there yet?...  Let him know...
We need someone to keep track of Membership...  Can you help?

Finally I told everyone I would provide two things...

1).  A link to the company using mycellium to create insulation panels and packaging materials...  I couldn't think of their name and it is Ecovative...  http://ecovativedesign.com/    Check it out!

2). A list of the mushrooms that react to the reagents in the kit...  You may already know that Lincoff's guide (and some other's as well) will mention reactions in the description text.  So you really don't need a list...  But in an effort to make a informative list to include with the kit...  I did some preliminary searches and I could not find a defined list of mushrooms that have a reaction with each of the three reagents in the kit...  I have a few feelers out there which may produce more information...  For now here is what I have found... 

http://www.mushroomexpert.com/macrochemicals.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_tests_in_mushroom_identification

http://books.google.com/books?id=T2uU12XcRD4C&pg=PA538&lpg=...

That's all I can think of for now...  Let me know what I forgot...

You'll find more information on MHMA at the club website...  www.midhudsonmyco.org  or by checking out our facebook group... http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1305770076809#!/group....

-Elmer