Fungi are BOOMING in mainstream culture and have found their way into many beverages, foods, and supplements, but not all fungi based products are created equal. In this class we will discuss the scientific terminology around the parts of the fungi, best practices for processing, and the ethics of sourcing to expand on the current awareness surrounding some of our most popular mushroom friends. We will explore the challenges around terminology in a  burgeoning sector, and how to get a solid foundation to understand what you have in front of you, and what you are putting into your body, or sharing with your friends, family, and customers. We will also look at the benefits of creating local ecosystems with our sourcing and manufacturing and the long term benefits those have on the community. Finally, we will chat about which mushrooms are best to suggest in which cases.

BIO: Jason Scott is a Mycologist, Ethnobotanist and Spagyricist who has studied traditional Hermetic Alchemy, from history and philosophy

to practice, for over  a decade. He has a background in Ethnobotany and Plant Medicine that started on the Big Island of Hawaii and has carried back with him into his home: the Pacific Northwest. Born and raised in Oregon, Jason has an intrinsic interest in the Fungal Queendom and all of its aspects: from cultivation and mycoremediation, to historical and cultural relationships. Jason has studied various different healing modalities including Ayurveda in Nepal and Western Herbalism all over Oregon and Washington. He is on an ever-deepening journey of education to understand the practical applications of his interests, and the golden threads that connect them.

Jason has been published on the topic of AlcheMycology, exploring fungi through traditional Alchemy in Radical Mycology by Peter McCoy and Verdant Gnosis Volume 3, compiled by Jenn Zahrt, Catamara Rosarium, and Marcus McCoy. He has taught through these topics all over the United States. He is the Founder and Owner of Feral Fungi where he produces Mushroom Spagyric Tinctures, and curator of AlcheMycology.com where he shares some of his teachings and writings along side other fascinating discoveries in the world of Fungi. Jason has co-organized the Radical Mycology Convergence and the Fungi Film Fest.