Cornell Cooperative Extension will hold two one-hour Forest Connect webinars on Logistics, Economics & Marketing for Harvesting & Selling Small Diameter Wood for Mushroom Production on July 19th at noon and 7 p.m.
Woodland owners, farmers and natural resource entrepreneurs are developing production methods and markets to expand the established log-grown shiitake mushroom industry. As mushroom production increases, growers need to obtain sustainably harvested small diameter logs, known as “bolts,” for production.
The economics of selling bolts can be very profitable; the going price for delivered bolts varies from $2 – $3 per bolt depending on several factors. Bolt producers/vendors need to be attentive to the handling of bolts to keep bark intact and maintain bolt quality during harvest and transport. The selling price of bolts reflects this added effort with values at the equivalent of $300 – $400 per cord.
The Cornell Small Farms Program is supporting shiitake mushroom producers and related business interests by training and supporting growers around the state to develop viable plans and scale up to commercial production. In these webinars, Agroforestry Extension Specialist Steve Gabriel will present the details on the specifications of bolts, potential markets, and links of harvesting to sustainable forestry practices.
To take part in one of these webinars, go to: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/0fd2318ec3796a188c34be5db4a05ad8 to register. If prompted for a password use “Cornell”.