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.