Students from Clarion County recently visited a mushroom farm in Lucinda, owned by South Florida native Esperanzo (Espo) Wilcox, who started the Pennsylvania Mushroom Co. in 2021. Wilcox, who transitioned from foraging to cultivating mushrooms, grows varieties like oyster, shiitake, and lions mane mushrooms using a wood-based substrate amended with soybean hulls and wheat bran. His farm is expanding, with a store and restaurant set to open soon, offering mushroom-based products like sausages and bratwurst. Wilcox aims to turn the farm into an educational hub, showcasing the versatility of mushrooms. This visit was part of Clarion County Conservation District’s “Fun on the Farm” tour, highlighting both traditional and specialty farms.
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