Oklahoma mushroom farm is unique agricultural venture

Curious onlookers received tours of the facility, owned by Oklahoma Mushroom, where shiitake, lion's mane, white elm and other varieties of mushrooms are cultivated. The mushrooms are sold to local chefs and at Urban Agrarian, a local food distributor in Oklahoma City.

OM Gardens in Norman created the experimental mushroom farm using an agricultural enhancement and diversification grant from the Agriculture Department. Heather Popowsky of Oklahoma Mushroom later bought the equipment.

Formerly a refrigerated semitrailer, the mushroom farm model is attractive for several reasons, Popowsky said. It is a controlled-climate facility and is well insulated. “We keep the trailer at certain temperatures and at a certain humidity level. This is a very controlled, very sterile environment,” she said.

To duplicate it would cost about $50,000, and it has a small footprint, added Jason Harvey, grants coordinator for the Agriculture Department.