Special Interest Training Courses

Mushroom Foraging Workshops

Our very popular mushroom forays will return this mushroom season. Learn to forage for edible mushrooms safely. This work-shop and foray will focus on mushrooms that grow in pine forests and plantations. This workshop also teaches people to forage for edible mushrooms in a way that is safe and environmentally responsible. Please wear weather appropriate clothing and shoes suitable for walking in the bush. BOOK EARLY!

PLEASE NOTE: bring a basket, or box to carry your mushrooms. Time approximately 2-3 hours.

SPECIAL OFFER - COMBINED COURSE - SEE NEXT PAGEdo a ‘Foray’ and online ‘Introduction to Fungi Identification’ course combined for $90.

DAY: Saturdays

DATE: May 13 and/or June 3

TIME: 12 pm to 3 pm

FEES: $50 per session

*INTRODUCTION TO LAND MANAGEMENT AND FUNGI MYCOLOGY - NEXT INTAKE MAY with Sapphire McMullan-Fisher from Fungi4Land www.fungi4land.com. This online course will cover the fundamentals of mycology, identifying and cultivating fungi, human uses for fungi and land management with fungi. Lessons will be prerecorded and learners will have an opportunity for ‘Q and A’ session. We are running the course together with our partner organisation MYCOmmunity Applied Mycology. There will be limited discount ACFE funded places for adult learners. In order to qualify for a place you must be:

 Over 16

 Not attending school

 Living in Victoria

 You must provide a Medicare number (as proof of ID)

 Complete and submit one assignment.

Days/Dates: most Thursday evenings with the expected next course to start to be in May, from 6:30-7:30 pm online.

Cost:$56 plus $94 amenities fee for ACFE student funded places or concession.

This Australian focused Fungal ecology course will lead you through the roles fungi play in terrestrial ecosystem. This includes:

 As recyclers of nutrients

 Partnering with other organisms like mycorrhizal associations with plants.

 Fungi in soils and as part of Biocrusts

 Biosecurity and understanding problem fungi

 Animal interactions

 Fungal responses to fire

 Integrating fungi into indigenous ecosystem restoration

 Fungi conservation including global IUCN RED list fungi

Recordings will be available for a limited time in case people miss a session or want to revise.

Although this course is stand alone, if you want to get a more rounded understanding of fungi including fungal basics like biology, and applied subjects like culturing & growing mushroom we encourage you to take MYCOmmunity's online mycology and other courses. For more information and latest update of bookings check: https://myco.tidyhq.com/public/schedule/events/49222mycology-101-course or text/call Ema on 0406 508 045 or register your interest by calling the Centre on 5342 7050.

*INTRODUCTION TO MUSHROOM CULTIVATION

We are taking expressions of interest for this pre-accredited short course that will give you all the skills you need to start growing gourmet mushrooms indoors and out. You will learn basic cultivation methods along with how you can work fungi into a permaculture system. The course is focused on ways to grow mushrooms that don’t require expensive equipment or scientific knowledge, but we will also discuss more advanced growing techniques and applications such as myco-materials and myco-remediation.

Topics covered include:

- The biology and ecology of fungi

- Growing mushrooms on cardboard and recycled paper pellets

- Agar and liquid culture

- Indoor growing methods

- Outdoor mushroom beds

- Mushroom logs

- Integrating fungi with your garden

You will go home with:

Two mushroom grow bags and cultures of a variety of mushroom species.

DAY: Saturdays - 2 day workshop - TBC

DATES: Will be arranged in second term

TIME: 11 am - 4 pm

FEES: $56 plus $94 amenities and kit ($TBA) for ACFE student funded places - or concession - limited full paying fee student cost is TBA.