Fun with Fungi and Future Foray with Hernan Castro

Submitted by Peggy Ollerhead, Cohort 3

On August 14th more than 20 Master Naturalists attended an Advanced Training with Hernan Castro
from Desert Alchemist on the Identification and Medicinal Uses of Fungi. Hernan shared his
encyclopedic knowledge and passion for fungi. His first attempts at growing fungi started as a hobby,
but as he searched scientific journals for information about cultivation, he also learned more about the
research on the medicinal uses of fungi (mostly in other countries.) This knowledge took on personal
importance when his beloved father suffered three serious strokes leaving him with a poor prognosis of
full recovery. Hernan began a journey to help his father and was able to grow and replicate the fungi he
had read about in his scientific research and prepare tinctures for his father. Over the course of a year,
Hernan’s father recovered 98% of the function in his previously paralyzed right side and Hernan
launched on his path as a Desert Alchemist and mushroom entrepreneur.

Over the course of the evening, Hernan shared information on fungi through history, the basics of fungi
biology, and evolving research. At the heart of his presentation were the fungi that grow in the Sky
islands of Arizona. Who knew that Arizona contains some of the greatest diversity in fungi species?
Hernan shared photos and stories of some of our local “Super stars”. He explained how to identify
them, differentiate edibles from look-alikes and highlighted their nutritional and medicinal value.

Although his presentation was amazing, nothing substitutes for firsthand experience to learn
identification skills. Izetta Feeney is planning a foray trip for PCMN with Hernan to learn field skills to
coincide with our monsoon season in September. The cost is $35, both weekday and weekend days will
be available and open to the public. Master Naturalists may use the travel time to the foray location and
the trip as Advanced Training hours (skills based.) Stay tuned for follow-up information in an e-mail from
Izetta Feeny.

You can see videos and follow Hernan at http://www.desertalchemist.com, facebook.com/desert alchemist,
and instagram.com desert alchemist. Look for Desert Alchemist and their mushrooms, tinctures, and
mushroom products at the Rilliito Farmer’s Market.