Certified Wild Mushroom Harvester (class II)

Earn the certification required to be qualified to sell wild-foraged mushrooms to commercial eating establishments and markets in Minnesota by completing this 5-hour class. 

Attention: This is not a class for beginners. Previous knowledge of basic mushroom identification and foraging for wild mushrooms experience is essential. Passing the test at the conclusion of this class with a score of 90% or higher is required to earn a certificate.

Registering for this class:

The cost is $90.00 for non-MMS members and $80 for current MMS members. A $10 discount applies for previous MMS certification class attendees. Here are your class admission selections based on whether you are an MMS member and have taken an MMS certification class before or not:

To reserve your spot and pay, click on the Register Now button on this page. After completing the form, follow up with the on-line payment through PayPal. You don't need a PayPal account, and can pay as a guest instead using major credit cards. Finally, please read and save your email confirmation as it has information you'll need to attend.

If you're not an MMS member, save $10 by joining now and then registering for the class. Space is limited to 50 attendees and these classes fill up fairly quickly. Registration opens on Friday, July 6 at 8 pm, and closes Friday August 2 at midnight.

Please email any questions to: John Lamprecht, class administrator.

About this class:

In this class we will review identification of mushrooms using macro-features. We will touch on specifics of the food safety regulations that are administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as pertains to gathering and selling wild foraged mushrooms. We also will cover food handling safety as pertains to mushrooms, and how to collect, grade, store and transport your finds. Edibility concerns and dangerous/inedible mushrooms will be discussed. Successful completion of this class will qualify you to be certified for the following edible species:

• Lobster Fungus (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
• Toothed species, Hedgehogs (Hydnum species) Lion’s Mane, etc. (Hericium species)
• Giant Puffball (Calvatia gigantia)
• Hen of the Woods, aka Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
  

Mushroom Foragers and Food Service – Commercial Sale of Wild Foraged Mushrooms
In accordance with the Minnesota Food Code 4626.0155: Mushroom Foragers wishing to sell their Wild Foraged Mushrooms to Commercial Establishments must have successfully completed a course in Mushroom Identification, Traceability and Safe Food Handling and provide documentation of course completion issued from a Mycological Society or Academic Institute to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). See MDA's wild mushroom foraging page for more information.

About our certification classes:

• The MMS conducts two mushroom certification classes annually in cooperation with the MDA. Our certification classes are advanced classes only for those with prior more advanced identification skills and prior foraging experience. Passing the test with a score of 90% or higher is required to earn a certificate. Earning this certificate is proof that you have successfully completed the course as listed above for those who want to sell wild foraged (not cultivated) mushrooms harvested from land you own or control. It is illegal to collect mushrooms intended for sale from public lands. This is the second class (II) that covers late season species, and the first class (I) covers early season species: Morels, Chanterelles, Black Trumpets, and Sulphur Shelf.
  
  
• Certification classes are not for everyone. Membership and active participation in our club’s meetings and forays will provide the level of basic identification knowledge needed for most people to safely identify common edible mushrooms for personal consumption.