Morel Mushroom Certification Workshops Offered in March, April

Iowa State University Extension

Mushroom hunters who would like to legally sell morel mushrooms in Iowa need to complete a morel mushroom certification workshop. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering the workshop at several Iowa locations in March and April.

Altoona: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 23
Polk County Extension Office, 1625 Adventureland Dr., Suite A
Bettendorf: 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 4
Scott County Extension Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane
Dubuque: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 6
Dubuque County Extension Office, 14858 West Ridge Lane, Suite 2

“The aim of the workshop is to help assure that misidentified mushrooms are not sold as morels,” said plant pathology professor Mark Gleason. “To meet the need for this training, we are offering a three-hour certification workshop on identifying morels and false morels.”

Gleason coordinates and conducts the workshops, which will be held at three sites in 2013. Certification lasts for three years, so those who certified in 2010, when the Iowa law requiring certification first took effect, will need to recertify this year.

The agenda for each workshop includes:

· Pre-training identification test

· Presentation on recognizing morels and false morels as well as other species of wild mushrooms

· Examination of fresh and preserved morels and false morels

· Post-training identification test (and re-testing as needed)

· Wall-size and wallet-size training certificates

Those interested in attending one of the workshops should preregister by emailing Gleason at mgleason@iastate.edu or calling 515-294-0579 by Monday, March 26. Preregistration is important, allowing appropriate space and materials to be available at all training venues.

The workshop fee is $50 per person, payable at the training. Cash or check accepted; no credit cards.

Additional questions about the workshops can be directed to Mark Gleason, 515-294-0579; mgleason@iastate.edu.