Mode of Program Participation
Community Organizing and Educational Programming
Participation Type
Workshop
Session Abstract or Summary
Mycopod Restoration Methods:
This workshop is designed to educate ASA membership about innovative work being conducted in the region with a hands on “how to” presentation of repairing damaged ecosystems and creating buffers between sensitive ecosystems and toxic environments. The mycopod or burlap mycelium spawn bag presentation will advance ASA's commitment to foster quality of life by reclaiming and/or isolating chemical waste at surface mining and other contaminated sites in Appalachia through the use of local mycelium and substrates.
Just as a tree is the plant and the apple its fruit, mycelium is an organism that bears a mushroom. Applying the ground breaking work of mycologist and author Paul Stamets in the Appalachian context, we will show how to use the burlap spawn mycopod method to uptake a variety of chemicals and contaminants from streams and other toxic waste sites. Mycelium varieties, when appropriately paired with biological contaminants, chemicals or chemical mixtures, will uptake toxic waste. The toxic waste is either consumed and transformed or consumed and stored. Once transformed or stored, the mycelium and mushrooms containing the toxic waste can be removed, effectively ridding the ecosystem of the contaminants.
The mycopod method will be shown in stages.
-
First spawn is created from a choice of inoculation types. A demonstration of 2 to 3 types will be briefly presented. The audience will be asked what kinds of mycelium (mushrooms) are native to their areas.
-
This method uses a burlap bag filled with a substrate matched to the mycelium type. Examples of substrates are oak wood chips or straw. An interactive discussion with the audience will identify their local substrates and also what types of substrates (materials to feed mycelium) are easily obtained at low cost or free.
-
Next the spawn is mixed into substrate materials such as local wood chip types appropriate to the chosen mycelium variety and stuffed into burlap sacks. This can be done as a demonstration or hands on for the audience.
-
Immediately on construction the spawn bags filter chemical or biological wastes.
-
As the mycelium grows, toxins are denatured.
-
Once colonized by the mycelium, the bag is a mycofiltration unit that can be put to work.
-
Walls of the spawn bags may be built, based on the needs of the ecosystem. Slides of examples will be shown.
I have practiced this successfully proven method under the supervision of Stamets and am currently in contact with local professors to locate sites to test the method with local varieties and substrates prior to the conference. Test results will be shared.
The workshop will promote dialogue and action among a diverse and inclusive ASA membership and beyond, by engaging ASA membership in learning a mycorestoration technique that will benefit regional needs for clean water, habitat restoration, and creation of viable agricultural land, as well as have positive health impact for diverse populations of people and creatures affected by the the surface coal mining industry. Mycopods can restore agricultural lands that have been mined, and isolate mine sites from nearby ecosystems on land and water.
I attempted to partner with Jim Burger and Michael French for a presentation on restoration by planting chestnut tree hybrids, however, Jim is retired and Michael is very busy planting trees in the spring. I have also contacted a network of mycologists to find a related presentation to share the allotted time period. I am flexible and open to sharing the time with a presenter that ASA selects. I will also keep you posted if any of my colleagues decides to participate.
Thank you for your consideration.
Very truly,
Susan Thompson
55 Street of Dreams
PO Box 6037
Martinsburg, WV 25402
(304) 820-2374
mmorganicfarm@gmail.com
Presentation #1 Title
Mycopod Restoration Methods
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Mycopod Restoration Methods:
This workshop is designed to educate ASA membership about innovative work being conducted in the region with a hands on “how to” presentation of repairing damaged ecosystems and creating buffers between sensitive ecosystems and toxic environments. The mycopod or burlap mycelium spawn bag presentation will advance ASA's commitment to foster quality of life by reclaiming and/or isolating chemical waste at surface mining and other contaminated sites in Appalachia through the use of local mycelium and substrates.
Just as a tree is the plant and the apple its fruit, mycelium is an organism that bears a mushroom. Applying the ground breaking work of mycologist and author Paul Stamets in the Appalachian context, we will show how to use the burlap spawn mycopod method to uptake a variety of chemicals and contaminants from streams and other toxic waste sites. Mycelium varieties, when appropriately paired with biological contaminants, chemicals or chemical mixtures, will uptake toxic waste. The toxic waste is either consumed and transformed or consumed and stored. Once transformed or stored, the mycelium and mushrooms containing the toxic waste can be removed, effectively ridding the ecosystem of the contaminants.
The mycopod method will be shown in stages. First spawn is created from a choice of inoculation types. A demonstration of 2 to 3 types will be briefly presented. The audience will be asked what kinds of mycelium (mushrooms) are native to their areas. This method uses a burlap bag filled with a substrate matched to the mycelium type. Examples of substrates are oak wood chips or straw. An interactive discussion with the audience will identify their local substrates and also what types of substrates (materials to feed mycelium) are easily obtained at low cost or free. Next the spawn is mixed into substrate materials such as local wood chip types appropriate to the chosen mycelium variety and stuffed into burlap sacks. This can be done as a demonstration or hands on for the audience. Immediately on construction the spawn bags filter chemical or biological wastes. As the mycelium grows, toxins are denatured. Once colonized by the mycelium, the bag is a mycofiltration unit that can be put to work. Walls of the spawn bags may be built, based on the needs of the ecosystem. Slides of examples will be shown.
I have practiced this successfully proven method under the supervision of Stamets and am currently in contact with local professors to locate sites to test the method with local varieties and substrates prior to the conference. Test results will be shared.
The workshop will promote dialogue and action among a diverse and inclusive ASA membership and beyond, by engaging ASA membership in learning a mycorestoration technique that will benefit regional needs for clean water, habitat restoration, and creation of viable agricultural land, as well as have positive health impact for diverse populations of people and creatures affected by the the surface coal mining industry. Mycopods can restore agricultural lands that have been mined, and isolate mine sites from nearby ecosystems on land and water.
I attempted to partner with Jim Burger and Michael French for a presentation on restoration by planting chestnut tree hybrids, however, Jim is retired and Michael is very busy planting trees in the spring. I have also contacted a network of mycologists to find a related presentation to share the allotted time period. I am flexible and open to sharing the time with a presenter that ASA selects. I will also keep you posted if any of my colleagues decides to participate.
Thank you for your consideration.
Very truly,
Susan Thompson 55 Street of Dreams PO Box 6037 Martinsburg, WV 25402 (304) 820-2374 mmorganicfarm@gmail.com
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Susan Thompson, J.D.
Attorney and Organic Farmer
Student of restorative mycology
Susan Thompson is a native West Virginian, living in Hedgesville, WV. After apprenticing on an organic farm, Thompson owned and operated MM Organic Farm, producing and selling organic vegetables at farmers markets and to CSAs for two years. When she couldn't afford a tractor in 2010, she opened a solo law practice to earn the funds and has been protecting the job rights of West Virginians ever since. Seeking solutions to the extensive damage caused to West Virginia's ecosystems and people by surface mining and mountain top removal, she attended myco-restoration training under Paul Stamets in Shelton, Washington and is working to adapt myco-restorative methods, including myco-filtration, to Appalachian challenges using native mycelium species and substrates.
Mycopod Restoration Methods
Mycopod Restoration Methods:
This workshop is designed to educate ASA membership about innovative work being conducted in the region with a hands on “how to” presentation of repairing damaged ecosystems and creating buffers between sensitive ecosystems and toxic environments. The mycopod or burlap mycelium spawn bag presentation will advance ASA's commitment to foster quality of life by reclaiming and/or isolating chemical waste at surface mining and other contaminated sites in Appalachia through the use of local mycelium and substrates.
Just as a tree is the plant and the apple its fruit, mycelium is an organism that bears a mushroom. Applying the ground breaking work of mycologist and author Paul Stamets in the Appalachian context, we will show how to use the burlap spawn mycopod method to uptake a variety of chemicals and contaminants from streams and other toxic waste sites. Mycelium varieties, when appropriately paired with biological contaminants, chemicals or chemical mixtures, will uptake toxic waste. The toxic waste is either consumed and transformed or consumed and stored. Once transformed or stored, the mycelium and mushrooms containing the toxic waste can be removed, effectively ridding the ecosystem of the contaminants.
The mycopod method will be shown in stages. First spawn is created from a choice of inoculation types. A demonstration of 2 to 3 types will be briefly presented. The audience will be asked what kinds of mycelium (mushrooms) are native to their areas. This method uses a burlap bag filled with a substrate matched to the mycelium type. Examples of substrates are oak wood chips or straw. An interactive discussion with the audience will identify their local substrates and also what types of substrates (materials to feed mycelium) are easily obtained at low cost or free. Next the spawn is mixed into substrate materials such as local wood chip types appropriate to the chosen mycelium variety and stuffed into burlap sacks. This can be done as a demonstration or hands on for the audience. Immediately on construction the spawn bags filter chemical or biological wastes. As the mycelium grows, toxins are denatured. Once colonized by the mycelium, the bag is a mycofiltration unit that can be put to work. Walls of the spawn bags may be built, based on the needs of the ecosystem. Slides of examples will be shown.
I have practiced this successfully proven method under the supervision of Stamets and am currently in contact with local professors to locate sites to test the method with local varieties and substrates prior to the conference. Test results will be shared.
The workshop will promote dialogue and action among a diverse and inclusive ASA membership and beyond, by engaging ASA membership in learning a mycorestoration technique that will benefit regional needs for clean water, habitat restoration, and creation of viable agricultural land, as well as have positive health impact for diverse populations of people and creatures affected by the the surface coal mining industry. Mycopods can restore agricultural lands that have been mined, and isolate mine sites from nearby ecosystems on land and water.
I attempted to partner with Jim Burger and Michael French for a presentation on restoration by planting chestnut tree hybrids, however, Jim is retired and Michael is very busy planting trees in the spring. I have also contacted a network of mycologists to find a related presentation to share the allotted time period. I am flexible and open to sharing the time with a presenter that ASA selects. I will also keep you posted if any of my colleagues decides to participate.
Thank you for your consideration.
Very truly,
Susan Thompson 55 Street of Dreams PO Box 6037 Martinsburg, WV 25402 (304) 820-2374 mmorganicfarm@gmail.com
