Fields to Forks: Growing gourmet mushrooms [Video]

Mushrooms can make or break many dishes and as more consumers look to buy local, an operation in Baden is looking to fill that gap.

The Caring Mushroom Co. grows gourmet mushrooms to be served at local restaurants and on community farms.

Eric Cyr-Smith runs the business from a rented space at Two Calves Standing, a farm in Baden.

“[We grow] Lion’s mane, Shitake, and Blue Oyster mushrooms,” Cyr-Smith said.

Cyr-Smith uses growing tents and a unique set up mixing lighting and humidity to produce the gourmet mushrooms. A humidification reservoir blows a fog into the growing area and an H-Vac system, electricity and water is used so mushrooms can be grown year round.

“I’ve got a HEPA filter and a bunch of pre filters to make sure that the air quality going into the tent is clean and my harvest areas are clean,” Cyr-Smith said.

The mushrooms are grown …