Why are mushrooms so popular recently, and who is growing them—and searching for them in the wild—in New York City? To find out, we interviewed a whole bunch of fungi-focused folks. These interviews happened a couple of years ago, so this episode is technically from the vault—but it’s aged well! We learn about the cello-inspired origins of the commercial vertical farming startup Smallhold, which grows oyster mushrooms and lion’s mane all over the city. We hear from an entrepreneur on why she started—x.com/2019/01/28/last-year-i-started-a-mushroom-farm-with-zero-experience-heres-what-i-learned-and-why-im-looking-for-a-successor">and then sold—her mushroom farm in Brooklyn. We visit expert forager Wildman Steve—who makes us call him “Wildman”—and try to avoid his bird. And we end with a very fun, philosophical interview of Jie Jin, a mushroom club organizer who makes us rethink our relationship to fungi spores. Definitely check this one out!

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Fields by becoming a member! 

Fields is Powered by Simplecast.