Week-Long Hands-On Training Program

7-Day Intensive Training Program: Dive Into the World of Mycology at Southwest Mushrooms

Are you ready to take your mushroom cultivation skills to the next level? Join us for a comprehensive, hands-on journey into mycology with our expert-led, week-long training program. Explore every aspect of mushroom growing—from the basics to advanced commercial techniques—and gain the knowledge you need to succeed in this exciting field.

 

Day 1: Introduction & Mycology Fundamentals

 

Kick off your journey with a warm welcome and dive into the fascinating world of mycology. You’ll cover foundational topics that set the stage for a week of hands-on learning.

 

• 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Welcome & Orientation

• Get a complete overview of the week’s agenda and what to expect from each session.

• 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Mycology Basics

• Learn the essentials of mushroom biology, lifecycle, and key terminology in cultivation.

• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Lab Tour & Safety Protocols

• Get acquainted with lab procedures, safety measures, and sterilization practices.

• 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Sterilization Techniques

• Explore and observe sterilization methods using pressure cookers and autoclaves.

 

Day 2: Mastering Inoculation Techniques

 

Gain hands-on experience in preparing and inoculating mushroom spawn, with expert guidance every step of the way.

 

• 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Spawn Production

• Discover different spawn types and production methods essential for cultivation.

• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Hands-On: Grain Prep

• Prepare grains for inoculation, learning proper techniques firsthand.

• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Inoculation Process

• Inoculate grain spawn with liquid or agar cultures under supervision.

• 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Quality Control

• Identify common contaminants and learn troubleshooting strategies.

 

Day 3: Substrate Preparation & Mixing

 

Explore various substrates and their nutrient requirements, and discover best practices for preparing them for optimal growth.

 

• 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Substrate Theory

• Deep dive into substrate types (straw, sawdust, supplemented hardwood) and nutrient needs.

• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Hands-On: Preparing Substrates

• Mix and prep substrates, focusing on ideal ratios and sterilization.

• 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Bagging & Packing Techniques

• Learn effective methods for sealing substrate bags and maximizing yield potential.

 

Day 4: Fruiting & Environmental Conditions

 

Set up a fruiting chamber and learn to manage environmental conditions critical to mushroom growth.

 

• 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Fruiting Chamber Setup

• Discover the environmental controls—temperature, humidity, CO2, and lighting—needed for optimal fruiting.

• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Hands-On: Fruiting Room Management

• Set up a fruiting chamber, focusing on misting, air exchange, and troubleshooting.

• 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Pinning & Harvesting

• Understand pinning triggers and best practices for harvesting mushrooms.

 

Day 5: Advanced Techniques & Scaling Up

 

Perfect advanced techniques like cloning and explore strategies for scaling operations to a commercial level.

 

• 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Cloning & Strain Preservation

• Practice cloning tissue cultures and delve into methods for strain preservation.

• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Scaling Up

• Learn production models, bulk substrate preparation, and strategies for scaling operations.

• 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Yield Optimization

• Discover how to maximize yield and maintain consistency by managing environmental factors.

 

Day 6: Troubleshooting & Business Essentials

 

Tackle the challenges of contamination, record-keeping, and explore essential business skills for a successful mushroom operation.

 

• 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Contamination Control

• Learn how to identify, prevent, and manage contamination in large-scale operations.

• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Record-Keeping & Quality Assurance

• Gain best practices for tracking batches, growth cycles, and yields.

• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Mushroom Business Essentials

• Explore pricing, packaging, branding, and building a client base.

• 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Q&A & Troubleshooting

• An open session to address your unique questions and challenges.

 

Day 7: Hands-On Practice & Certification

 

Review, reinforce, and put everything into practice with a complete mini-cultivation cycle.

 

• 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Review of Core Concepts

• Recap key lessons, focusing on areas needing reinforcement.

• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Hands-On Practice

• Complete a mini-cultivation cycle, applying all steps from the week.

• 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Final Q&A & Certification

• Receive your certification and guidance on your next steps in mushroom cultivation.

 

Transform your passion into expertise! Sign up for our 7-Day Intensive Training Program and unlock the full potential of mushroom cultivation with hands-on, expert-led training at Southwest Mushrooms.