Midwest American Mycological Information (MAMI) is partnering with MIFMA and others to offer two upcoming workshops on October 22 in Mackinaw City and November 5 in East Lansing to train and certify foragers who commercially harvest and sell wild mushrooms in Michigan. Successful completion of the program is recognized by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as sufficient to qualify as an approved mushroom identification expert.
Michigan’s Food Code requires that mushroom species picked in the wild must be obtained from sources where each mushroom is individually inspected and found to be safe by an approved mushroom identification expert. Organizations and businesses such as restaurants, retail grocery stores and farmers markets who either buy direct from mushroom sellers or provide space from which such people may sell, are required by law to ensure all sellers of wild-foraged mushrooms do so in accordance with federal and state law.
The certification program is designed to ensure a participant will, upon successful completion, qualify to meet the requirements of Michigan to harvest, broker and sell wild-harvested mushrooms in the state. The full-day training session will focus on the biology and morphological characteristics used in the identification of mushrooms, as well as a review of every species of wild-foraged mushroom approved for sale in Michigan. The day will include hands-on work with specimens, direct interaction with mycologists, and a written exam at the end of the day.
Cost for the training, which includes lunch, is $175 per person for those who wish to be certified. Chefs, farmers market managers, purchasing agents for grocers and interested citizens who are not interested in certification may attend this workshop from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm at a reduced rate.
Registration is available online at www.midwestmycology.org. Payment must be made in advance when you register. Space is limited, so register early! The deadline for the October 22 session has been extended to 10/18/16.
Training dates and locations:
- Saturday, October 22, 2016
Audie’s Restaurant, Mackinaw City, MI 49701
Registration 8:30 am; Training Session 9 am – 5 pm - Saturday, November 5, 2016
MSU Molecular Plant Sciences Building, East Lansing, MI 48824
Registration 8:30 am; Training Session 9 am – 5 pm
For more information, contact Chris Wright, Midwest American Mycological Information, at chris@midwestmycology.org, or visit www.midwestmycology.org.