Somehow, all of the text from my last blog post disappeared. Being new at this I'm really not sure what happened and I'm never sure that it can be just as good the second time around but I will try.
In my last post, I talked about attending the wild mushroom certification class for Mushroom Mountain. When you take the course and the subsequent test, you have fulfilled the requirement of certification for eight states. Each state has different laws around licensing for the sale of wild foraged mushrooms. My reason for participating in the course is twofold. Mushroom Mountain has brought me on as an instructor for the course in a few states. In order to do that I needed to take the course and pass, but I also needed to observe the course being taught so that I can understand the structure and flow of the instruction.
It's a sensitive topic but I'd like to be clear that this certification does not make you a mycologist or an expert. I don't even use those words for myself. What it does do is teach you to identify the approved edible mushrooms on the list and some of their lookalikes so that you can safely supply wild edible mushrooms to the public. And that's very important. So the certification does give you credibility when identifying those mushrooms and when you offer them for sale. Being certified is definitely an accomplishment.
At some point in the future I will write about using the words expert or mycologist to describe yourself. Many many people in the mushroom community refer to themselves as enthusiasts. And no matter where you are on your journey, there's always more to learn. I learn things from both my mentors and my mentees. There are no dumb questions. We're here to share what we know and learn what we don't.
Back to Mushroom Mountain... I attended their course in Savannah, GA, two weeks ago. It was being taught by veteran MM instructor, forager, and author Anne-Marie Billela. There were about 25 people in the two day class. On the first day we did a short walk in the surrounding woods to look for mushrooms. Someone in our group found two incredibly beautiful and fresh white chicken of the woods side by side. It was very exciting for this NH girl to find these in March. Anne-Marie decide we would have chicken of the woods tacos the next day. They were delicious. After lunch we took our tests and yes I passed. So I am now certified in 9 states.
By the way, if you've never been to Savannah you should plan a trip. It's such a beautiful city with live oak lined street dripping with moss. Stately structures with tons of small and large green parks and gardens, and a historical waterfront. There's so much to see and do.
If you are interested in being certified check out Mushroom Mountain's website. Here are links to two of the courses I'll be teaching in New York and Rhode Island:
Happy hunting!
Christine, the Uncanoonuc Forager
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