Mycology 3D

Ethnomycology in Africa and the Diaspora + Hands-on Mushroom Cultivation with Darren Springer

The 3D series is a multidimensional workshop series designed for B.I.P.O.C. (Black, Indigenous, &/or People of Color) to deepen skills in specific farming and land stewardship practices in a culturally relevant, supportive, and joyful environment.

Darren Springer, mushroom cultivator and educator based in the UK, is coming to Soul Fire Farm to share his knowledge and passion about the astounding world of fungi.

Mushrooms have been growing wild since prehistoric times and their therapeutic value has been prized in indigenous cultures for millennia.

Darren will share his research about the use of mushrooms in Pan African society, and their value for nutritive, medicinal and spiritual purposes. After a presentation and delicious lunch, Darren will lead a hands-on workshop to introduce participants to:

• The basics of outdoor mushroom cultivation that can be integrated into gardening and farming
• Indoor low-tech cultivation techniques for growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms with accessible materials
• How to create your own spawn

Schedule:

• 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Welcome
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. "Ethnomycology in Africa and Diaspora"**
• 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch featuring mushrooms
• 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Hands on Cultivation Workshop (Indoor w/straw, outdoor w/wood chips)

All times above are Eastern Time (ET).

Language: The instruction will be delivered in English.

We have in-person and virtual tickets available for this event. Please only purchase in-person tickets if you are able to attend for the program as spots are limited. We will start on time.

The in-person day-long workshop is a BIPOC event.

The 90 min presentation on Ethnomycology in Africa and the Diaspora will be streamed virtually through webinar and is open to everyone.

In-person tickets

In-person tickets include all aspects of the workshop as outlined in the schedule above.

The workshop is designed to be a culturally relevant and safe space that centers Black, Indigenous and People of Color (read why here).

In order to ensure COVID and community safety all participants must follow our Visitor Guidelines.

Please only register if you are able to stay for the entire day as spots are limited.

Cost: The sliding scale is $15-$100 Please think generously - what could be more important to contribute to than living food, land sovereignty, and skilled farmers spreading the love and knowledge?!

**Virtual tickets

Virtual tickets include live streaming of Darren's 90 minute presentation, "Ethnomycology in Africa and the Diaspora." Virtual tickets are open to everyone.

The presentation will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET.

This presentation will not be recorded.

Cost: The sliding scale is $5-$100 Please think generously - what could be more important to contribute to than living food, land sovereignty, and skilled farmers spreading the love and knowledge?!

Presenter:

Darren Springer (he/his) is an educator, researcher and event organizer based in the UK. Known around the world for his Shroomshop Master classes, he is a keen mushroom cultivator and teacher and has been growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms for the last ten years. By day he is an Organic Horticulturist and Food Enterprise tutor and has translated his home growing experience into a social enterprise.

Although not often recognized by researchers and scientists, fungi and plants have been used by indigenous Africans, and those in the diaspora for spiritual and community development for millennia. Several groups use these sacred plants in their rites of passage initiation ceremonies and daily ritual. Darren is a knowledgeable and dynamic speaker who is passionate about sharing his research and findings on ancient African plant medicines, the history, mythology and various applications.

Collectively his work aims to inform and empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to cope with social challenges and contribute to community development as well as self-improvement in an innovative, creative, culturally-aware style.

To learn more about Darren, his work, and other workshops visit: Darren Le Baron linktr.ee

Soul Fire Farm is an Afro-Indigenous centered training farm committed to ending racism and seeding sovereignty in the food system. Our food sovereignty programs reach over 10,000 people each year, including farmer training for Black and Brown growers, reparations and land return initiatives for northeast farmers, food justice workshops for urban youth, home gardens for city-dwellers living under food apartheid, doorstep harvest delivery for food insecure households, and systems and policy education for public decision-makers.