Inside US Mushroom Research & Farming: Umberto Calvo and Meghann Thai share first-hand insights from Pennsylvania Trip
In this episode, Meghann Thai and Umberto Calvo reflect on their recent trip to Pennsylvania, where they attended the Penn State University Mushroom Short Course, visited the Mushroom Research Centre, and toured ten local mushroom farms.
They share insights into how the US are approaching innovation, sustainability, and research, and how these practices compare to the Australian industry.
From composting techniques to casing materials, peat use, and local regulations, Meghann and Umberto unpack what they observed across a wide range of farming systems. They also explore how variations in infrastructure can influence production challenges, including the local fly issues.
Throughout the discussion, they discuss where Australia is leading the way, where there’s room to learn, and how international collaboration could pave the way for future breakthroughs.
Podcast hosted by Jenny Ekman, AHR.
Umberto Calvo from AHR works across a variety of R&D projects in multiple horticultural industries in Australia, from avocados to vegetables. He is the manager of the Marsh Lawson Mushroom Research Unit, in Sydney. Umberto was in the US to attend the Mushroom Short Course at Penn State University and visit local farms to better understand their growing techniques, as well as their composting and casing materials.
Meghann Thai is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Microbiology at The University of Sydney. Her current research focuses on the microbial dynamics in casing soil and aims to develop a sustainable alternative material for use in casing soil for button mushroom production. Meghann was invited by Professor Michael Wolfin to speak at the Penn State University Mushroom Short Course. Together with her colleague Umberto, she also visited several local farms to gain insight into US practices.
Education and research at the MLMRU
The Marsh Lawson Mushroom Research Unit (MLMRU) and its activities are funded through the Hort Innovation Project Marsh Lawson Mushroom Research Centre of Excellence (MU21004). The unit is co-owned by the Australian Mushroom Growers Association (AMGA) and The University of Sydney. Applied Horticultural Research assists with managing the unit.
Based at The University of Sydney, the MLMRU plays an important role in teaching horticulture students about mushroom production and research and providing a space for Honours, Masters and PhD students to conduct research. This video covers some of the work done by Dr Meghann Thai in educating university students about mushrooms and the work done in the unit by PhD candidate Samali Perera.
Want to learn more about the MLMRU?