February was a flurry of fungi fun! We participated in culinary, education, and advocacy events all month long. 2 mushroom experience dinners, a cocktail pairing, field trips, classroom push-ins, print and radio interviews, and lots of lawmaker interactions all kept us very busy on top of growing mushrooms, delivering to new restaurants, and working on some of our own recipes. Read on to catch a glimpse of everything that happened.
Our February Dinner on the Farm featuring Chef David Chaiken with musician LSDaniel was an incredible night! We gathered, we shared, we laughed, and we ate so many mushrooms!
The Culinary Arts students in the SUNY Schenectady Hospitality program crafted a tasty meal for a mushroom experience we curated at the college.
The Arts Center of the Capital Region hosted a cocktail pairing event that mixed Primo Botanica chocolates, Albany Distilling Spirits, and Mushrooms!
Avery’s aunt Sandra interviewed him for an article in Green Energy Times. A publication with wide distribution across the New England states. It can be found on page 17 of the online version:
We hosted another homeschool group field trip to the farm to introduce another batch of young learners to the world of mycology!
Avery Introduced the Culinary Arts students at the Schoharie Boces campus to a variety of mushrooms and different ways to prepare them!
Wednesday nights are mountain nights! Join our team at the Helderberg Mountain Brewing Company Taproom on Main Street East Berne. You can enjoy one of their delicious beers (and a selection of other beverages) and grab some fresh mushrooms from us!
https://www.helderbergmountainbrewingcompany.com
We are continually adding to our restaurant partners and enjoying our mushrooms prepared by their incredible chef teams. Check out a few of the latest spots to find some incredible fungi based foods!
Fiden’s Brewing on Broadway in Albany has been offering our mushroom to their guests and our team finally got to enjoy a few frosty beverages and a plate of crispy fried oysters!
https://www.fidensbrewing.com/taproom
Tatu Tacos and Tequila in Troy
The Hill in Troy
Donna’s in Troy
The Mushroom Wall at Green Sugar Leaf Farms on the concourse at the Capitol
Local Artist Jen Siciliano painted our oysters from a photo posted to our instagram feed
We started growing two new mushrooms this month! Flammulina velutipes (Enoki) and Hericium coralloides (Comb Tooth)
Psilocybin Corner
NYMHA Monthly Meeting
February was a busy month for our advocacy efforts. We interacted with lawmakers all month as we participated in several impactful events in and around the capitol. Our Monthly meeting with Retired Police Chief Brendan Cox was inspiring. He started out a narcotics officer and during the course of his career realized how damaging the drug war activities are to families and communities. Watch the whole talk on our NYPAC YouTube Channel here:
Avery attended a legislative briefing w AM Burke, and Senators Fernandez, and Scarcella-Spanton as they announced the introduction of their two bills pertaining to medical psilocybin.
We worked with the folks at Reconsider (www.reconsider.org) who were executive producers for the Fantastic Fungi film to host a screening of “Stories of Transformation” at the Linda in Albany. Senator Jake Ashby and AM Burke attended as well as nearly 100 guests to hear how psilocybin and other plant medicines has helped 4 pillars of our communities (an NYPD officer, a FDNY member, a Middle School Principal, and an Afghanistan War Vet). The Panel and films will be available online soon.
Mycologist Paul Stamets even dialed in from the west coast to give us some encouragement for our efforts!
Listen in to this preview interview with Joe McKay and Avery on the Sanctuary Radio station:
Tuesday, February 27th we spent the entire day at the Capitol meeting with lawmakers and talking to visitors. Change is coming soon for psilocybin containing mushrooms. The criminalization of people who grow and use these medicines will be coming to an end.
Dr. Bronner’s all in one magic soap is a huge supporter of access to psychedelic medicines and they donated (legal) “magic” chocolate and magic soap for distribution.
Join our Monthly advocacy meeting for New Yorkers for Mental Health Alternatives on March 12th through in person at the farm or this link from anywhere:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81854729934?pwd=ZE4xSlJKdm1hbWN0Z3o4UnFBOHJuZz09
Coming Soon
Dinner on the Farm with Chef David Stein. Saturday, March 2nd. Just a few tickets left!
Taste of New York New York Farm Bureau Mushroom bites. Monday, March 4th. Albany Convention Center. The Concourse.
New York Farm Bureau Lobby Day. Tuesday, March 5th. 9am – 5pm.
March NYMHA Meeting. Tuesday, March 12th. 7pm – 8:30pm. At the farm or through zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81854729934?pwd=ZE4xSlJKdm1hbWN0Z3o4UnFBOHJuZz09
A Mushroom Experience featuring Chef Matt Olley at Indian Ladder Farms. Saturday, March 16th. Entirely vegan (yes the honey is vegan too) but with an omnivore main option. Tickets available at our farm store or through eventbrite here:
Capital Cooks: Pairing Wine and Mushrooms with Amy and Avery. Tuesday, March 19th. Register for the class on their website or through the facebook event page here:
Hudson Valley Community College Leisure and Special Interest Class “Mushrooms Mycelium and More” Monday evenings April 8 – April 29. THIS CLASS IS SOLD OUT.
Dinner on the Farm featuring chef Agata Dziedzic-Dean. Saturday, April 13. Menu and details coming soon.
Troy Public Library Free Talk. Thursday, April 18. This talk will focus on health and wellness benefits of mushrooms.
Foraged New York 2024 May 4th – 11th (our 3rd year of bringing wild harvested excitement to the Capital Region)
https://www.foragednewyork.org
Maine Fungi Festival May 18th – 19th
We have been invited to participate in this year’s festivities by the North Spore team. Details are still being worked out!
https://www.mainefungifest.com
Albany Public Library Free Talk. Monday, May 20th. 5:30 – 6:30pm.
Rosendale Fungi Film Festival Date TBD
While we will not be part of the team putting this event together this year, we hope to be able to enjoy it as an attendee.
Last Year’s details:
Adirondack Mushroom Mania 2024 Saturday August 24th 2024. As part of the mania, we will be curating a mushroom dining experience in collaboration with Chef David Stein on Friday, August 23rd, ! Stay tuned for details.
Collar City Mushrooms 