Food Strong Mushroom cultivation project

Commodities

Practices

This project will involve reinvisioning a room in the basement of the 4,600 sqft rectory that Food Strong is in the process of renovating into our new headquarters into a mushroom growing facility. We will be painting the space and adding moisture resistant shelving to house mushroom grow bags and we will be conducting programming with local youth to educate them about the process of growing mushrooms on commercial/industrial bi-products. We will also hire one part time individual to manage the operation post grant period and ensure that it is a self sustaining endeavor.

This project will expose youth participating in programming at SACF to:

1. An understanding of how regenerative systems build soil health and ecosystem strength.
2. Circular food systems through mushroom cultivation, composting, and waste to landfill reduction.
3. The economics of small-scale, low-cost food production.
4. Regenerative careers in farming, mycology, and local food entrepreneurship.
5. Connection between food and community stewardship.

An opportunity to demonstrate learning via journals, portfolios, and a youth-led showcase.