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.
Umberto Calvo on local farming practices with James Ciarrocchi at Sher-Rockee Mushroom Farms, Pennsylvania
In this podcast we follow Umberto Calvo on his trip to the US where he visits Sher-Rockee Mushroom Farms in Pennsylvania to speak with mushroom grower James Ciarrocchi. Their conversation dives into the important intersection of science, sustainability, and innovation, drawing comparisons between US and Australian mushroom farming practices.
James shares positive insights into how the farm is tackling fly control through collaboration with Penn State University, under the guidance of Professor Michael Wolfin. Together, they are trialling the use of Vestergaard nets, an insecticide-infused, innovative material originally developed for malaria prevention in Africa. This breakthrough research takes a closer look at how netted growing rooms perform against traditional controlled environments, aiming to uncover a new way to improve pest control.
The discussion turns to casing materials and how geography, available resources, and tradition can shape mushroom cultivation. James also touches on how the farm are prioritising quality in order to compete with imported product, and the importance of bringing the mushroom story to life through community events and social media. Because it’s more than just farming, it’s about connecting people to the incredible versatility and benefits of mushrooms.
Podcast hosted by Umberto Calvo, 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.
Stuart Whitehall and Umberto Calvo on drip irrigation & supplements
In this MushroomLink podcast, Stuart discusses the strategic use of drip irrigation with AHR’s own mushroom grower Umberto Calvo. Umberto has conducted trials with a similar system at the March Lawson Mushroom Research Unit. With the potential to improve later flushes and even create nutritionally enhanced mushrooms, our panel discuss the mixed challenges and solutions offered by drip irrigation for mushrooms.
Podcast hosted by Dr Jenny Ekman, AHR.
Stuart Whitehall from Nutrigain has been working with mushrooms almost his entire life. Growing up on a family farm, he earned his pocket money selling spent compost from the tender age of 9. Over several decades in the industry he has both witnessed and driven a host of innovations, from spawn production and trading to biological pest control with nematodes. Stuart has now diversified into nutritional supplements, including the delivery of liquid solutions through drip irrigation systems.
Umberto Calvo from AHR graduated in 2018 from the Università di Torino in Italy, and recently came to Australia to explore agricultural sciences in a completely different environment. With experience in Precision Viticulture in Spanish wine regions he is interested in precision and data-driven agriculture, remote sensing and horticulture crops. He is currently involved in a wide variety of projects from post-harvest avocado quality to mushroom growing techniques.