Today, wild mushroom harvesting has become an oft-touted new local enterprise boon in the Mid-Atlantic region. It welcomes hobbyists from every demographic and geographic sector. Our recent study has involved almost 1,000 commercial wild mushroom gatherers. More importantly, though, it’s shown us just how rich the community is that has sprouted up around this quirky endeavor. A collaboration led by scientists at Penn State University performed the unconventional experiment. It’s rich in details about the myriad varieties of mushrooms being harvested and shows the social bonds being formed between the mushroom harvesters.
The mean age of survey respondents was 43 years with participants ages 18–87. Interestingly, women represented a small majority of the respondents, comprising 58% of the overall sample. The results highlight the diverse experiences and understandings of those who forage for wild fungi. This really emphasizes the importance of community in this work.
Diverse Species and Resources
This survey found that respondents collected a remarkable 160 species of wild mushrooms in the last few years! Morels and Chicken of the Woods (12% of respondents) were the two most frequently collected mushrooms. Chanterelles were a close second, with 10% of respondents including these beauties in their magical foraged bounties. Other notable species included Hen of the Woods, Oysters, Lion’s Mane, Black Trumpet, Honey Mushroom, Turkey Tail, Bolete, Reishi, Puffball, Chaga, Shrimp of the Woods, and Dryad’s Saddle.
From teachers, peer mentorship, spirits, and more, harvesters drew on several tools to deepen their foraging knowledge. Guidebooks were the second most used resource, used by 74% of respondents. This shows the power of native knowledge learned through a written literary tradition. For up and coming harvesters, traditional methods lost out. The web was their go-to resource, picked by 2 in 5 respondents. Family is one of the most important and influential sources of guidance. In reality, family members were the go-to source of help for 24% of Americans when they first started out with their new foraging hobby.
Research and Community Impact
Eric Burkhart, a teaching professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences. He’s the senior author of a recent short paper published in Economic Botany, where he argued for the need to understand the social dynamics at play among wild mushroom harvesters. Technical lead and first author Amy Wrobleski recently graduated with a doctoral degree from the Penn State Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in ecology. Together, she and Burkhart explored how people best exchange information and build community connections with others who share their love for the craft.
The research provides important baseline data on the demographics and harvesting practices of wild mushroom harvesters. It illustrates how foraging fosters deep social bonds among these people. Participants often engage in group forays or share their findings with friends and family, creating a sense of belonging and camaraderie within the community. A collaborative atmosphere paired with a deep familiar understanding of the area are key to incoming harvesters. They require mentorship and guidance to safely and confidently navigate the intricacies of identifying safe, edible fungi.
Health Benefits and Sustainability
The positive impacts of wild mushroom harvesting reach further than these social bonds. The health benefits reported by these participants is one of the leading causes for their participation in this lifestyle. That means freshly harvested fungi are a delicious, nutritious snack and potential future sustainable food source if foraged carefully. Harvesters are usually advocates for sustainable harvesting practices so that mushroom populations are available for future generations to come.
Even aside from the pleasures of food and community, the act of foraging can deliver mental health benefits. Many individuals report feeling a deep connection to nature while searching for mushrooms, allowing them to escape from daily stresses and engage with the outdoors. This therapeutic quality of foraging helps explain why the practice has become increasingly popular among young adults of all backgrounds and ages.