NEPM: Amherst Mushroom Company

Monte, Kaliis, and Claire visit Sabina Shelby and Shaun Lopez at the Amherst Mushroom Company. Shelby embarked on a forest management plan when she obtained the land in 2019, and decided that mushroom farming was a sustainiable way to support that work.

Amherst Mushroom Company grows many varieties: oyster, shitake, lion’s mane, maitake, and pioppino. They sell at the Amherst Farmers’ Market, Worcester Farmers’ Market, and Atkins Farm Country Market.

The clean indoor operation has controlled conditions and still some mushrooms only fruit when they want. Most varieties are available all year, but pink oysters won’t grow in the winter and maitake won’t grow in the summer. The fungi know their season, despite a lab setting.

Listen to learn more!

Images from Amherst Mushroom Company Facebook page.

This episode aired on NEPM on 9/17/26.