Lab 9

Introduction
During this lab period, we traveled to the Monterey Mushroom factory in mysterious land of Madisonville. We received the grand tour of the facility and were even allowed to taste some of the fresh mushrooms before they were picked. We were shown how all of the mushrooms were grown and maintained, the rearing substrates, expansive rearing rooms, and the processing and packaging areas.

The Tour -- A visual excursion through the world's greatest known fungi factory!

Fig. 1
Outside of the Monterey Mushroom factory

Fig. 2
Our tour guide giving us an overview of the goals and logistical aspects of the factory.

Fig. 3
Our tour guide demonstrating all of the different types of diseases, parasites, and
other spoilers of mushrooms in the factory. 

Fig. 4
Different types of substrates for rearing the mushrooms.

Fig. 5
Our class looks as fashionable as ever!

Fig. 6
Large machinery inside of the factory.

Fig. 7
A large "tray" full of growth substrate.

Fig. 8
Large conveyor system outside where manure is added. 

Fig. 9
Side view of conveyor system.

Fig. 10
Inside one of the "control rooms". Here we are viewing the computer program
used to control different systems, such as ventilation and lights, within the factory.

Fig. 11
The first growing room we entered.

Fig. 12
Dr. Shaw getting a good whiff of some compost. 

Fig. 13
Compost with millet. 

Fig. 14
Our tour guide holding a bag of millet.

Fig. 15
A large bin of millet bags.

Fig. 16
Vermiculite used in the rearing substrate.

Fig. 17
The second growing room we entered. It was dark and scary in here.

Fig. 18
The first tiny mushrooms!

Fig. 19
Picked mushrooms.

Fig. 20
Larger mushrooms in the picking room.

Fig. 21
One of the workers picking mushrooms. These guys get paid by the pound.

Video 1.

One of the workers picking mushrooms.

Fig. 22
Lauren having lunch.

Fig. 23
Some brown mushrooms grown in a different room.
These were tastier than the white mushrooms.

Fig. 24
Fresh hay bales outside the facility.

Fig. 25
Hay mixed with chicken manure. Let's put our hands in it!

Fig. 26
The final product: packaged mushrooms that you can find at your local grocery store!

Conclusion

Overall, I think we all gained a better perspective of how mushrooms are grown and processed for human consumption. We also learned about all of the challenges that a factory like this faces, including creating a conducive environment for unwanted fungi to grow.

All for now,

C