Phase 1: Making Fresh Compost
The process of mushroom farming starts with the creation of fresh compost. A balanced mixture of different raw materials, including hay, straw, and poultry manure, is used to create the compost. Proper moisture, temperature, and aeration are key to bringing about the desired chemical reactions within the compost.

Phase 2: Filling the Bunker and Tunnel
Once the compost is created, it is filled into the bunkers or tunnels where they undergo pasteurization and conditioning. The compost temperature is closely monitored in this phase to ensure that it remains within the ideal range between 56 and 60 degrees Celsius.

Phase 3: Mixing Spawn in the Compost
After the pasteurization and conditioning, the compost is ready for the addition of spawn. The spawn is mixed with the compost in one-fourth or one-third ratios to foster the spawn run phase. The spawn run typically takes around 2-3 weeks, where it colonizes the compost with mycelium.

Phase 4: Emptying the Tunnel and Filling the Growing Room
Once the spawn run phase is completed successfully, the next step is to empty the tunnel and transfer the mycelium-colonized compost to the grower room. The compost is evenly distributed and leveled out to prepare for the onset of mushroom growth.

Phase 5: Mushroom Development and Harvesting
During the next phase, the mushroom pins grow, rapidly turning into mature mushrooms. The mushrooms' development requires strict regulation of the temperature, humidity, and air ventilation to create a conducive environment for growth.
Once the mushrooms reach full maturity, they are carefully harvested by hand. The mushroom picking process requires a high degree of precision to ensure that only mature mushrooms are harvested.

Phase 6: Cook-out, Emptying, and Cleaning
After the harvest, an essential step in the mushroom farming process involves emptying the growing room and cleaning the equipment to ensure sanitation and prevent contamination. The mushrooms are then sent out for packaging, shipping, and sale.

In conclusion, mushroom farming is a complex process that requires attention to detail at every step. From fresh compost to harvesting and sanitation, each step plays a crucial role in producing high-quality mushrooms. By following these steps closely, mushroom cultivators can achieve optimal results and contribute to the ever-growing demand for fresh and delicious mushrooms.




Blog by Fred Musc

We’ll showcase our innovative solutions at NAMC and ISMS Conference in the USA. Meet us there!
Visit us and connect with the GROWTIME team Booth 703

We’re thrilled to announce our participation in the upcoming 26th North American Mushroom Conference (NAMC) and the 20th Congress of the International Society for Mushroom Science (ISMS). We hope to see you there!

GROWTIME will participate as an American Mushroom member.

These prestigious events are scheduled to take place from February 26-29, 2024, at the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa, offering a unique platform for industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other.

As a certified member of the American Mushroom Institute, GROWTIME is excited to be part of a conference jointly presented by this esteemed organization and the International Society for Mushroom Science.

This conference is not just an event but a landmark occasion in the mushroom industry, marking the first commercial conference in over five years. It promises an invaluable opportunity for mushroom farm owners, shippers, suppliers, researchers, and scientists from around the globe to share insights and innovations. We can’t wait to connect with them!

Visit us and connect with the GROWTIME team.

GROWTIME is all set to showcase its latest products and innovative solutions at the conference. Visitors to our stand will have the opportunity to meet our team of experts, who are eager to share their knowledge and insights on mushroom growing. Our participation underscores our commitment to being at the forefront of industry advancements and our dedication to supporting the growth and success of mushroom farms and suppliers.

The conference agenda is packed with business sessions over four days, including meals, access to the Expo floor, and scheduled receptions. Attendees will have the unique chance to listen to leading experts and learn about new trends and innovations in the field of mushroom growing. This event is a must-attend for anyone looking to expand their network, gain valuable insights, and explore potential business opportunities in the mushroom industry.

Registration for the conference is now open, and we encourage all industry stakeholders to sign up and visit us there. For more information and to register, please visit https://mushroomconference.org.

Join us at this significant gathering to explore new horizons in mushroom growing and connect with the GROWTIME team. We look forward to meeting you at the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa and sharing our passion for innovation and excellence in the mushroom industry. See you in Las Vegas!

Discover the fascinating world of mushrooms and the thriving market surrounding them. Psychedelic, functional, and edible mushrooms are gaining popularity in various industries. In the US, the psychedelic mushroom market was worth $1.8 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow by 11.3% annually. Functional mushrooms, known for their health benefits, reached $8.8 billion in 2021 and could surpass $14.49 billion by 2030. Edible mushrooms in North America were valued at $12 billion in 2023, projected to reach $20.91 billion by 2028.

The mushroom market is capturing the interest of consumers, researchers, and investors.

Please read the full article here.
Source: RollingStones

MYCO, a UK producer of Hooba, an oyster mushroom protein, announces that it has secured a 20,000 square feet former facility in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, with plans to transform it into a vertical farm unit and a product development plant for sustainable meat alternatives.

“This new site is a food industry first”

The plant will be specifically repurposed to support the company’s next growth phase, creating 70 jobs in the next few years “to cope with the expected influx of demand for plant-based foods.” According to the company, it will be the first site of its kind in the UK.

“This new site is a food industry first, and the concept of combining both the growing of the raw materials and the manufacturing of the finished product under one roof will pave the way for more sustainable food manufacturing practices in the future,” said John Shepherd, co-founder and chairman of MYCO.

Please read the full article here.
Source: Vegconomist

On behalf of LTO Mushroom Cultivation, LTO Noord has started setting up a branch training program for mushroom cultivation. "It's a great shame that there is so little attention given to this cultivation. This, while it is a perfect example of circular agriculture," states Eric Douma, portfolio holder for entrepreneurship & education at LTO Netherlands.

Despite hundreds of millions of kilograms of mushrooms being cultivated annually in the Netherlands, there hasn't been a training program for mushroom cultivation for years. "This, even though employers indicate a need for it," says Douma. With the new branch training program, both LTO Noord and LTO Mushroom Cultivation hope to meet a sector-wide demand.

The technical training started in September. Fourteen people participated in the first module. "Each session takes place at the nursery of a participant or entrepreneur from the sector," Douma explains. The focus is on management staff, migrant workers moving up to managerial positions, and cultivation supervisors.

Circular agriculture
According to chairman Tom van Wijk of LTO Mushroom Cultivation, the training should contribute to mushroom cultivation now and in the future in the Netherlands. "Dutch mushrooms are grown on horse manure, broiler manure, and straw from wheat cultivation," he explains. "This is processed through composting into a production material for various types of mushrooms."

Van Wijk continues: "The residual streams can then be utilized in other sectors to enhance soil fertility." According to him, the cultivation of Dutch mushrooms is a prime example of sustainability and circular agriculture for the whole of Europe.

Source: LTO Nederland

• The collaboration opens doors to emerging markets in mycelium-based products, offering farmers new avenues for business expansion.
• Comprehensive training and support will be provided to farmers, ensuring seamless integration of this technology into their operations.

GREEN ISLAND, N.Y., December 6th, 2023 — Today marks a significant milestone as Ecovative, the frontrunner in mycelium-based materials, and Limbraco International BV, a leading manufacturer in mushroom agricultural machinery, proudly announce a strategic alliance to manufacture specialized farming equipment for the production of Ecovative’s flagship AirMycelium™ crops. This collaboration is focused on developing state-of-the-art filling and harvesting equipment, aimed at introducing new, high-value mycelium crops to the mushroom farming industry and accelerating the growth of the mycelium materials sector.

"We are excited about this partnership with Ecovative," says Frank Cornelissen of Limbraco International BV. "It represents a fusion of cutting-edge technology and new markets, aimed at empowering mushroom farmers with the tools they need for success in an emerging and competitive industry."

Ecovative’s technology unlocks a new mushroom mycelium crop for use in fashion materials and animal-free meats. The technology is designed to integrate directly with existing mushroom farms, allowing mushroom growers a quick addition of high value, fast growing product lines to their facilities.

To bring the burgeoning mycelium-based industry to market at scale, Limbraco's machinery includes custom-designed equipment that ensures consistently high yields and quality material when paired with Ecovative’s patented growing process. A successful pilot with Whitecrest Mushrooms, a large commercial mushroom farm in Ontario Canada, demonstrated the viability of this approach, and the farm will be dedicating half of its mushroom production capacity to the new AirMycelium technology in 2024.

“Limbraco's sophisticated and reliable equipment is essential for meeting the unique requirements of Ecovative’s mycelium crop, AirMycelium.” said Gavin McIntyre, Chief Commercial Officer at Ecovative, “This strategic alliance is a significant step towards scaling up the production of new high-value mycelium crops for mushroom farmers, which hold immense potential for food and fashion."

The announcement comes after a year of close collaboration between Ecovative and Limbraco. Access to Ecovative and Limbraco's mycelium production machinery will be exclusive to Ecovative’s mushroom farm network. To enquire about opportunities or become a contract grower visit ecovative.com.

About Ecovative:
Ecovative is a biological science and design company, advancing mycelium technology to transform industries with high quality, Earth-friendly materials. Founded in 2007, Ecovative makes mycelium materials and products commercially competitive and accessible to everyone. Leveraging its Mycelium Foundry, dedicated production capacity and a range of industry leading partners, Ecovative grows better materials for everyday needs. To learn more, visit ecovative.com.

About Limbraco:
For over 50 years Limbraco has been active in the mechanization, automation and delivery of complete systems in the entire mushroom growing sector. With in-house knowledge and technology, Limbraco is able to offer turnkey projects, both in the Netherlands and around the world. This means the engineering, construction, machine technology and climate control systems required for a mushroom farm in its entirety. All specific components are manufactured in-house, for example, picking lorries, conveyors, special doors, climate units, control cabinets, et cetera.

Media Contact:
Lacey Davidson — This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Media Kit

On 22 September, CNC proudly celebrated its 70^th anniversary with its business relations and employees. In addition to commemorating the company’s milestones, the festivities also provided an opportunity to showcase the value of long-term business relationships.

Their presence being the greatest gift of all, guests were asked not to bring other gifts. Those who wanted to show their appreciation nonetheless were suggested to make a donation to The European Mushroom Growers Group (GEPC), in support of European initiatives for mushroom promotion.

The response to the suggestion surpassed all expectations, with CNC’s business relations donating a total amount of €1,500. Marco Peeters, Commercial Manager of CNC, recently presented the donation to Tom van Wijk, Chair of the Mushroom Department Group of the Netherlands Agricultural and Horticultural Association (LTO).

CNC is extremely grateful to its relations for their generosity.

More information about the European promotional campaign for mushrooms is available on a dedicated website.

Source: Press release of CNC Grondstoffen B.V.

We are very pleased with this international player in the mushroom industry on our platform.

Here's some history on the company's inception
Cees Ribbens, a coatings manufacturer for the marine industry, was tasked with creating a gas-tight coating for refrigeration units around 50 years ago. His solution proved to be a success and the company expanded globally. After Mr. Ribbens' passing in the 1980s, his successor renamed the company 'RibbStyle,' meaning 'in the style of Ribbens.'

RibbStyle’s continued growth and dedicated team
Since their establishment, they have seen consistent growth and expansion. They currently have three branches and collaborate with distributors worldwide. Their goal is to continue expanding internationally, while remaining focused on local visibility and presence.

Their team
At their company, they have a team of twelve passionate employees. As a small business, they work very closely together and flexibility is a must. Their goal is to establish a welcoming and dependable environment for everyone they engage with.

Their commitment to quality
Quality is the cornerstone of their business. They utilize a multi-layer technique that includes a reinforcement layer. By combining these layers into a cohesive system, they provide their customers with a long-lasting solution. Furthermore, RibbStyle holds several certificates that highlight the standards they integrate into their daily operations.

RibbStyle's Expertise in Mushroom Cultivation
RibbStyle has a variety of branches, one of which specializes in mushroom cultivation. The process of growing mushrooms, such as mushrooms, is highly specialized, and creating the ideal growing climate is crucial. RibbStyle possesses the necessary knowledge and expertise to properly manage your compost tunnels and cultivation cells. They understand how important it is to have a vapor-tight coating to prevent disease and contamination. Additionally, they are well-equipped to handle repairs and maintenance to ensure your mushrooms are properly cared for.

More than just coatings
Having traveled around the world, the’ve seen both beautiful and prosperous places, as well as impoverished ones. In December 2010, a group of their enthusiastic colleagues established the ‘Color the World foundation’. The foundation's primary objective is to bring more color to the world by performing construction and painting work for the underprivileged.

To learn more about RibbStyle or get in touch with them, please check out their website.