Empowering Communities with Mushroom-Based Solutions

A Young Scholar Enhancement Grant was awarded to this project in 2026.

Commodities

• Miscellaneous: mushrooms

Practices

• Education and Training: workshop
• Soil Management: soil quality/health
• Sustainable Communities: food loss and waste recovery/reduction

Issue Addressed

In underserved communities within
Central Texas, access to sustainable food sources and climate
resilience agriculture practices are limited. These communities
often face higher environmental, social, and economic risks and
lack resources such as healthy, nutrient-dense food, effective
waste management, and soil health improvement.

Project Description

Since 2019, the Central Texas
Mycological Society (CTMS) has led a volunteer-run,
community-driven initiative to
divert mushroom grow blocks (MGB) from the waste stream and upcycle them.
Mushroom farmers grow culinary mushrooms on a blend of sawdust,
grains, and nutrients. After the mushrooms fruit once, the MGB,
usually sent to the landfill, is instead upcycled by the CTMS
community. CTMS
educates on extending the life of MGB by growing culinary and medicinal
mushrooms, feeding animals, building fungal-rich compost, and
mycoremediation. Over 12,000 individuals have signed up for the
program since its inception.

Mushroom production
generates
substantial MGB
waste, contributing
to
methane emissions
when sent to landfills. This
community-led effort diverts and upcycles over 500 tons of MGB
annually. This wouldn’t be possible without our network of more
than
500
volunteers,
facilitating MGB collection from mushroom farms and distributing
it to over 30 permanent community pick-up sites, including farms,
food banks, schools, churches, nurseries, community gardens,
plant stands, and homes. Additionally, MGB are given away at
community and
educational events
held at libraries, schools,
festivals, tree giveaways, plant sales, botanical gardens, and
nurseries.

In 2023, CTMS conducted
over
168 educational
programs, reaching
over 25,000 diverse participants through online and in-person
sessions. These programs educate participants on mushroom
cultivation techniques and block composting, mycoremediation,
promoting the creation of fungal-rich soil that enhances soil
health, prevents erosion, and improves water retention and
nutrient levels. These initiatives prevent approximately 75% of
MGB from reaching landfills.

Looking forward, CTMS seeks to
expand its impact by forging new partnerships with local mushroom
farms to increase block distribution, thereby bolstering
community resilience. A key focus is extending education
programs, training, and support to historically underserved and
rural communities to empower them in upcycling MGB for
environmental, economic, and social benefits.

If awarded this grant, our
project will conduct 20 educational events over two years, half
in EPA-designated
underserved communities, to teach participants how to upcycle
MGB for mushroom cultivation, mycoremediation, and building
healthy, fungal-rich soil. The programs will be reinforced with
bilingual digital and print materials including videos,
infographics, step-by-step instructions, and FAQs.

CTMS aims to achieve zero
mushroom block waste by 2027 through expanded community recycling
efforts.

Conclusion

CTMS's Community Upcycling
Program represents a model of community-driven environmental
stewardship and circularity. By leveraging partnerships,
educational outreach, and innovative recycling practices, CTMS is
poised to significantly reduce MGB waste, teach how to grow
culinary and medicinal mushrooms, enhance soil health, and
empower diverse communities throughout Central Texas.

Mushroom Block Community Recycling Program Partners

Conduct Workshops: Host 20 hands-on workshops, half in EPA underserved communities, teaching participants how to upcycle mushroom grow blocks (MGB) to grow mushrooms, engage in mycoremediation, and build healthy, fungal-rich soil.

Provide Resources: Distribute materials and tools necessary for mushroom cultivation and soil improvement to workshop participants.

Offer Continued Support: Create and share video tutorials online to reinforce learning and provide ongoing guidance.

Increase Food Security: Empower participants to grow their own mushrooms, enhancing food security and providing a potential income source.

Improve Soil Health: Promote the use of MGB as a soil amendment, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and improving soil health.

Raise Awareness: Educate communities about the environmental and health benefits of mushroom cultivation and mycoremediation.