There is still space to register for Midwest Women's Herbal Pre-Conference Workshops & Immersions! Explore Pre-Conference Events here. Or, join the Main Conference (sold out) waitlist here.
Pre-Conference Events
7th Annual Mycelium Mysteries
A Women's Mushroom Conference
September 22, 23, & 24, 2023 | Almond, Wisconsin
Germinating Regenerative Wisdom
Pre-Conference Workshops are deep-dive, 3+ hour learning experiences with a more intimate group. Add one or more pre-conference events on to your Mycelium Mysteries weekend experience OR just join us for a pre-conference workshop or foray (you don't have to register for the Mycelium Mysteries weekend Conference to attend a Pre-Conference activity). View all pre-conference events below, then sign up on the main registration page.
THURSDAY
Avantgarde Mushroom Propagation - a Mushroom Cultivation Extravaganza with Cornelia Cho & Ingrid Daudert
Learn conventional and less conventional mushroom propagation methods!
Thursday, September 21 | 9am-5pm
Join us to learn a variety of ways to grow your own bounty of edible and medicinal fungi. This year Cornelia Cho is joining forces with Ingrid Daudert to present some lesser-known, labor and cost-saving ways of cultivating mushrooms.
We will be covering traditional drilling, filling and waxing shiitake log inoculation as well as pasteurizing straw and log sections as a medium for growing mushrooms.
Cornelia will be sharing a lesser-known way to inoculate FRESH CUT (no log drying waiting period needed) hardwood logs without drilling, pounding or waxing. This method works with a multitude of hardwood species and not just oak. Cornelia will also be sharing the "Just Add Water" oyster mushroom cultivation method using recycled paper pellets.
We will be cultivating at least 5 different species and covering at least 5 different techniques that can often be used interchangeably. Join us to up your cultivation game and provide you and your loved ones with a multitude of mushrooms!
Immersion Outline:
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Introductions, expectations, and overview
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Mushroom ecology and growing mushrooms
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A look at the species we will be working with, their properties and needs
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The history and evolution of growing mushrooms
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Hands on protocols for growing a variety of mushrooms from spawn, substrate selection, inoculation hygiene, growing protocols to harvesting
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Shiitake log propagation with a new technique
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Maitake wafer propagation
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Traditional log inoculation with Reishi
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Experimenting with Oysters on – paper pellets, toilet rolls, straw….?
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Gardening techniques - demonstrate using wine cap, almond agaricus to enhance soils and gardens
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Harvesting and storing mushrooms
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Wrap up: What’s on the horizon for propagation
What you will take home:
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3-4 inch diameter shiitake mushroom log
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3-4 inch diameter Lions Mane log
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Maitake wafer
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Oyster mushroom
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a starter bag of Wine cap
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care instruction sheets
Note that in addition to registration fees, an additional material fee of $95 is to be paid to the instructors upon arrival. Includes Lunch. Register here!
Walking with Beatrix Potter: A Fun Art Foray with an Emphasis on Analysis and Species Identification with Rose Tursi & Tess Kenney
Thursday, September 21 | 9am-5pm
Join artists and mycophiles Rose Tursi and Tess Kenney for this fun and inspirational foray. This foray is inspired by author and botanical artist Beatrix Potter, who was an amazing mycologist and naturalist. The first part, the morning, of this program will be spent on a foray where participants will be guided in collecting specimens for later observation. The afternoon component will focus on drawing/painting the collected specimens in the style of Beatrix Potter. The focus will be on analysis and identification of the species. Images will be incorporated into a special scrapbook for each participant to take home. The mushroom world will never look the same, after this magical experience! Includes Lunch. Register here!
Besom Making with Linda Conroy
Thursday, September 21 | 1-5pm
Besom is an old world term for a witches broom. Fall is a traditional time of year to craft a broom. Brooms have historically been made from a wide variety of materials, depending on what was available. As a very sturdy option, broom corn (a type of sorghum) has become the standard material used in making brooms. In this workshop, everyone will make either a round or flat hearth broom (your choice), that is both functional and magical. If you have a special handle you would like to bring, make sure it is cured (dried for several months), is mostly straight, is 18-20" and has a hole drilled at the top end, so that you can add leather or other material for hanging your broom. Handles will be available for those who do not have one, or whose handle will not work for this project. A material fee of $95 is paid to the instructor at the time of class, this covers your broom. Materials for making another broom will be available during class for an additional fee. Includes Lunch. Register here!
Navigating Psychedelic Space: Tools & Techniques to Support Mushroom Journeys with Katherine MacLean, PhD
(Waitlist Only)
Thursday, September 21 | 6-9pm
In this 3-hour intensive we will explore the space of mushroom journeys from a sober perspective through instruction, discussion, meditation, role play, and guided music. Instructor Katherine MacLean will begin the workshop by providing an overview and framework for understanding the roles of facilitator (also known as gatekeeper, guide) and practitioner (the one who journeys). We will then directly explore the mushroom space and practice our skills through guided meditation, music and paired practice. This workshop is limited to 12-14 people to allow one-on-one feedback and sufficient support and guidance during experiential practice. Please note that this workshop does not include ingesting any psychoactive substances, and participants are expected to show up in a clear and sober frame of mind and body. Katherine will be supported by Robin Gunkel. Includes Dinner. Workshop Full. Join the Waitlist Here!
FRIDAY
Topical Application of Mushrooms with Linda Conroy
Friday, September 22 | 9am-12pm
Healing with mushrooms from the outside in, is as effective as from the inside out. Recent studies have shown that the healing power of mushrooms lies not only through ingesting them, but applying them to your skin as well. Join herbalist and mycophile Linda Conroy for this fun and inspiring program. We will learn to apply and to prepare mushrooms topically for their antiviral, anti-inflammatory, fungal fighting, antiseptic, styptic, moisturizing, and other healing qualities. We will make lotions, linaments, moisturizers, masks, first aid sprays powders, and more! Everyone will take home some of our creations, recipes, and will feel confident in working with mushrooms to nourish and heal the skin. This program will include lecture time as well as hands on activities. Includes Lunch. Register here!
Navigating Psychedelic Space: Tools & Techniques to Support Mushroom Journeys with Katherine MacLean, PhD
(Waitlist Only)
Friday, September 22 | 9am-12pm
In this 3-hour intensive we will explore the space of mushroom journeys from a sober perspective through instruction, discussion, meditation, role play, and guided music. Instructor Katherine MacLean will begin the workshop by providing an overview and framework for understanding the roles of facilitator (also known as gatekeeper, guide) and practitioner (the one who journeys). We will then directly explore the mushroom space and practice our skills through guided meditation, music and paired practice. This workshop is limited to 12-14 people to allow one-on-one feedback and sufficient support and guidance during experiential practice. Please note that this workshop does not include ingesting any psychoactive substances, and participants are expected to show up in a clear and sober frame of mind and body. Katherine will be supported by Robin Gunkel. Includes Lunch. Workshop Full. Join the Waitlist Here!
Transforming Relationships with Cornelia Cho
Friday, September 22 | 9am-12pm
Until we take a hard look at the contents of our brain, we remain under the spell of messages that have been fed to us from birth. This is not through any fault of ours, when we are young, it's our brain's job to absorb vast amounts of information---but we rarely get an explanation of how this affects us and our relationships. Instead, we are told and we eventually decide that this accumulation is just who you are. No, it doesn't have to be who you are! You don't have to settle. In this workshop, we'll share how to engage the brain's capacity for change. We'll combine this with the power of connected listening---along with a greater understanding of how each of us became entangled in this web of unexamined messages. By deciding to uncover the messages and use the power of relationship and caring in the listening partnership platform, we can break the spell these messages have held over our lives---and uncover who we really are. Includes Lunch. Register here!
Fun & Fungal Facts & Foray
with Rose Tursi
Friday, September 22 | 9am-12pm
A walk in the woods with lots of storytelling. We will observe and identify mushrooms, but also discuss their folklore, etymology, role in the environment and how they have been used by people for food, medicine, crafts and other purposes. Almost every mushroom has a tale behind it. Rose has countless anecdotes from years of foraging that is sure to inspire beginners and intermediate mycology enthusiasts alike. Includes Lunch. Register here!
Mushrooms & Herbs for Women's Health with Gina L. Rivers
Friday, September 22 | 9am-12pm
As women, our hormonal tides ebb and flow throughout our lifetimes, and change is a guaranteed constant as we navigate a healthy and whole existence at any age. Discover how select medicinal mushrooms and herbal allies can help to holistically balance challenged hormonal tides, nurture our bone structure, calm our “fight or flight” response, and boost our brain and neurological systems! Detailed Plan: This workshop will follow more of a lecture format, with a power point presentation with periodic stops for Q&As throughout. I will present examples of possible challenges that we, as women, face throughout our lifetimes, and we will discuss how select medicinal mushrooms and herbal allies can soothe the many transitions we face as we grow through life. Outcome: The participant will be able to identify several medicinal mushrooms and herbal allies that support and nurture women through the natural and rhythmic changes of her lifetime. They will be able to identify supportive mushrooms and herbs that may balance the changes in hormonal tides that accompany these shifts. Includes Lunch. Register here!