Thea Chesney Thea Chesney is a lifelong Sierra Nevada foothill resident and naturalist. She has had an interest in mushrooms (and plants, and the rest of the natural world) since early childhood, which gradually became an obsession. She holds a B.S. in forestry from UC Berkeley. During her time at Berkeley, she spent plenty of time working and hanging out in the Berkeley mycology labs. She worked on a mushroom survey crew around Mt. Shasta for several seasons, which allowed her to become intimately familiar with the fungal inhabitants and ecology of the area. Since then, she has worked a variety of field jobs, primarily as a botanist. She teaches occasional workshops in mushroom and plant identification. Her fieldwork and her own studies of plants and fungi are centered in the Sierra Nevada and other mountains of California. 2026 Thea Chesney 2026 Santa Cruz Fungus Fair Talks Buy Tickets Fungal Range Maps How We Build Them and Why They Matter Understanding where an organism lives, and why, is an essential part of understanding its life history and ecology, yet we have been lacking in… Show More Sunday, January 12, 2025 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM Room 3

Adam Ryszka You can't find them all, but I am sure going to try! FFSC Title: Minister Emeritus Joined FFSC: Late 2006 Adam has been very active with the FFSC from the day he joined and within a year was nominated and elected Minister of Local Forays. He brings to the club a first-hand knowledge of the north-western woods of Santa Cruz county, having wandered through them for many years. Ever present at local events, especially the Santa Cruz Fungus Fair, he has become a familiar face to many. Active in outreach for the FFSC, he has volunteered his time for mushroom related events with UCSC, the YMCA, local Scout troops and the Monterey Natural History Museum. Currently he is working with local researchers and citizen scientists on field studies and transforming that data into modern media (web, video, digital publication). And of course he is also engaged on that never-ending search for deeper woods and greener meadows... 2026 Adam Ryszka 2026 Santa Cruz Fungus Fair Talks Buy Tickets

Douglas Smith Douglas Smith has been involved in mycology for many years, looking for and photographing mushrooms on several continents. His photographs have been featured in many field guides, journals, and magazines, such as National Geographic. A constant figure in the Bay Area mycology scene, he is an expert in many fungus fairs, and organized forays. 2026 Douglas Smith 2026 Santa Cruz Fungus Fair Talks Buy Tickets The Top Ten Edible and Poisonous Wild Mushrooms Saturday, January 10, 2026 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Room 1 DNA Sequencing for the Fungus Federation Sunday, January 11, 2026 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Room 1 Top Ten Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms Saturday, January 11, 2025 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM Room 1 Common Mushrooms of the San Francisco Bay Area Sunday, January 12, 2025 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM Room 1

Wine & Mushroom Event Our annual Wine & Mushroom Fest is a phenomenal early Spring evening of sampling wonderful wines and fabulous homemade food. This member-only event is always fantastic and is the highlight of our culinary activities. Santa Cruz Mountain Winery table at the 2025 Wine and Mushroom potluck The Wine & Mushroom Fest is a matchless co-op gathering alongside several Santa Cruz Mountain appellation wineries, put together by FFSC Culinary Minister Bob Wynn and Jeff Emery of Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard/Quinta Cruz. The mushrooming crowd brings the food (potluck). The winemakers bring their best, and we all have a great time! Where and When This dinner is usually held in April. We announce the date and location to FFSC members (and applicable winemakers) in February or March. The next Wine and Mushroom Fest will be on April 11, 2026! Tickets are on sale now . This event often sells out in advance. Join our Google Group and/or follow our social media and this website to be one of the first to find out when reservations open each year. Cost We charge a modest fee to cover the venue rental, tablecloths, decor and related costs with additional discounts for members. Appetizers table at the 2025 Wine and Mushroom potluck. Photo by Deb Each FFSC member and guest is expected to bring appetizers, hors d’oeuvres, finger food or desserts for at least ten people. Really! We are also feeding the winemakers and we all have healthy appetites. This is an appetizer and dessert extravaganza. The food should be finger food, small items similar to tapas. No main courses, soups, etc. Think something you can nibble with, at most, a fork! Not sure what to bring? Check out our mushroom recipes for ideas, and make one of them your own! The kitchen usually isn't large, so plan to bring your food completely prepared. We can provide last-minute heating prior to service. For those using wild mushrooms, please check the species lists on the Potluck Essentials page for a list of acceptable mushrooms to include in your dishes, as well as labeling requirements, zero waste recommendations, and more. Members Only Content Login Join FFSC

Noah Siegel Noah is one of North America’s foremost field mycologists; he has spent over three decades seeking, photographing, identifying, and furthering his knowledge about all aspects of macrofungi. He travels and lectures extensively across America, following the mushrooms from coast to coast. Noah was the recipient of the 2022 North American Mycological Association’s Award for Contributions to Amateur Mycology. His primary research interest is on the taxonomy and systematics of fungi. He authored, along with Christian Schwarz, " Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast ", and " Mushrooms of Cascadia ", as well as " A Field Guide to the Rare Fungi of California's National Forests ". He is currently working on " Mushrooms of Alaska ", with Steve Trudell and Kate Mohatt. 2026 Noah Siegel 2026 Santa Cruz Fungus Fair Talks Buy Tickets Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast From towering redwoods to live oak woodlands, northern California has diverse habitats which host a dazzling array of fungi. From the worlds largest chanterelle,… Show More Saturday, January 11, 2025 10:45 PM - 11:45 PM Room 3 Adventures of a Mycohobo Ever wonder what mushrooms occur in the jungles of tropical Africa and South America, or the dripping, moss covered Antarctic Beech forests of New… Show More Sunday, January 12, 2025 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Room 3

Henry Young FFSC Science Advisor Foray and ID Specialist | Willamette Valley Mushroom Society Henry moved to Salem, Oregon in 2016 from Santa Cruz. He is active with the Willamette Valley Mushroom Society teaching a mushroom ID class for members and leading forays. Henry is an amateur mycologist who has collected and studied fungi for over 40 years. He started by taking identification classes with David Arora. He joined the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz in 1986 and has been a board member since 1987. Henry attended the San Francisco State University “Spring Fungi of the Sierra Nevada” course taught by Dr. Dennis Desjardin and several other workshops and classes dealing with various aspects of mycology. He has been a contributor to mushroom identification for the Willamette Valley, Santa Cruz and San Francisco Fungus Fairs. His name is on the NAMA call list to help identify mushrooms in poisoning cases. In between giving classes at the Fair, he works at the identification table helping to identify mushrooms. Besides a general interest in all types of fungi Henry has a particular interest in poisonous mushrooms, ascomycetes and lichens. Henry is also a member of the Cascade Mycological Society, BAMS and NAMA and has attended several national forays. 2026 Henry Young 2026 Santa Cruz Fungus Fair Talks Buy Tickets Poisonous Mushrooms Sunday, January 11, 2026 12:00 AM - 1:00 AM Room 1 What You Need to Know About Poisonous Mushrooms Explore the intersection of poisonous mushrooms and people who accidentally or purposefully eat them. Toxic fungi from the deadly to the lose your lunch… Show More Monday, January 12, 2026 12:00 AM - 1:00 AM Room 3 A Discussion of Poisonous Mushrooms Saturday, January 11, 2025 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Room 1 What You Need to Know About Poisonous Mushrooms We will explore the intersection of poisonous mushrooms and people who accidentally or purposefully eat them. Toxic fungi from the deadly to the lose… Show More Sunday, January 12, 2025 12:30 AM - 1:30 AM Room 3

Fermentation Friday workshop Shane Peterson, Master Fermentologist of Farmhouse Culture fame, will be our fearless leader. He’ll do a demo, share tastings, and instruct us in creating a few of our own ferments to take home. Join us and bring a friend ! Friday, May 1 5:30pm-8:30pm Register at the link below. FFSC members should login to get the access code to buy tickets at the member price. This workshop will introduce us to new ways to preserve all the extra mushrooms we find...perhaps during our spring forays in the Sierras. Since this is a new event for our group, some of you were asking for more information about what to expect: Shane will give a lecture on lacto-fermentation and the traditional practice of fermenting mushrooms as a means of preservation. He’ll share tools, tips, and insights into the fermentation processes and methodologies, as well as discuss fermenting a variety of mushrooms using different formulas and techniques. Shane will share his tried and true recipe for lacto-fermented brined mushrooms, do a demo of the recipe, and discuss multiple variations. We’ll then shift gears to the workshop portion of the evening, and everyone will make their own batch of Shane’s Foragers Delight Mushroom Kraut to take home and ferment. We will wrap it up with a small tasting of ferments that Shane & Team prepared for the event, as well as a brief Q&A if time permits. After this deep dive, you’ll be confident in lacto-fermenting your own flush of mushrooms next season (or sooner). Kick off your weekend and come geek out on fermentation and mushrooms with us! Each attendee will need to bring prep supplies for the workshop. Large cutting board Chef’s knife Paring knife Shredder (for carrots) Extra large Bowl Prep bowls (2) Apron Kitchen scale (if you have one) Vegetables and fermenting containers/lids will be provided, the cost of which is included in the ticket price. Shane Peterson, author of The Farmhouse Culture Guide to Fermenting, is a master fermenter, product developer, and best-selling cookbook author with 20 years of experience working in the fermented food and beverage industry. His first book Fermentering (2015) was a best-seller in Denmark, and eventually was published throughout Scandinavia. As head Fermentologist for Farmhouse Culture he created many award winning product lines. Shane is an advocate for the rewilding of the human microbiome and the human spirit, and uses the craft of fermentation as a vessel to explore our connection to the Earth and the microcosmos. An ardent lover of nature, he spends much of his time hiking, trail running, and foraging the trails of Northern California. Shane consults for fermented food companies and leads fermentation workshops both in the U.S. and abroad. FFSC Member Prices: $40 individual $50 for 2 partners sharing materials Log in to your member's account to get the access code below to buy tickets at the member price. Non-Member Prices: $60 individual $70 for 2 partners sharing materials The fees for this workshop are used to offset the cost of facilities rental, workshop materials, and instrutor stipend. Buy tickets here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ffsc/2142195 Annual membership to the Fungus Federation is just $25, so please consider becoming a member to get the best pricing for this workshop, along with all the other priceless benefits of membership! Join Here: https://www.ffsc.us/pricing-plans/list Members Only Content Login Join FFSC

A Bolete by Any Other Name... Many mushrooms we see in our local woods now have a new name or spot in the myco tree of life. One of our most prized groups of local mushrooms, the boletes, is no exception. Let's look at some name changes that you might need to be aware of if you're using older field guides. ... Porcini (bolete) found on an Albion foray. Photo by Katherine Elvin As many of you know, the mushroom world has been going through a lot of changes in recent years with the onset of genetic sequencing. One of the main impacts of this has been the renaming or reclassification of not only singular mushrooms, but in some instances whole genera (heck, Suillus got its own family!). It sometimes seems that just about every mushroom we see in our local woods now has a new name or spot in the myco tree of life. And one of our most prized groups of local mushrooms, the boletes, is no exception. With the recent publishing of scientific papers some of their names have changed as well. So let’s dive in on some of the name changes which have impacted our beloved Boletus . A few important notes before we begin... One , I am only going to cover the more common stuff that you would encounter in the woods and would also be found under the genus Boletus in Mushrooms Demystified . Two , these mushrooms have for better or worse worked themselves into different discrete groups, which in turn prompted the creation of new genera. The King Group Queen Boletes (Mendocino 2016. Photo by Katherine Elvin The heavy hitters of Boletus and the ones most are scouring the woods for once the first big fall rains arrive. These mushrooms have remained in the genus Boletus but with some species name changes. Here is what we have: Species Notes Boletus barrowsii The “White King” bolete remains with no changes. Boletus edulis var. grandedulis The “King” bolete got “ var. grandedulis ” appended to its name. We may also have the true European king bolete here growing with imported pine trees, but that will remain speculation until the genetic work is done. Boletus regineus The “Queen” bolete, which used to be Boletus aereus , a misapplied European name. Thankfully the name change did not affect its edibility. The Butter Group Butter Boletes (2017). Photo by Katherine Elvin Here is, in my opinion, the biggest change of them all. The “Butter” boletes have now been moved out of Boletus and into their own genus Butyriboletus . On top of that, we now have three local species instead of the traditional two. Here they are: Species Notes Butyriboletus persolidus Our traditional “Butter” bolete, that beautiful, intense blue staining, rock hard edible bolete found with hardwoods. It used to go by Boletus appendictulatus . Butyriboletus querciregius The “Pink-capped Butter” bolete, aka the elusive cousin of the more common butter bolete. I have still never found this thing.. Butyriboletus autumniregius The new one on the scene is the rosy autumn butter bolete, a.k.a., the “other” pink-capped butter bolete. This one differs from the other both genetically and by preferred habitat. It grows with coastal conifers instead of with hardwoods. This is probably the one that grows with the pine (and matsutake) around the fire roads of upper UCSC campus. The Cracked-Cap Boletes Xerocomellus dryophilu sp. Photo by Martin Livezey (from mushroomobserver.org) These are usually way more common than any of the boletes we have covered thus far. Sometimes called the “Woodland” boletes, they flourish fall through spring in both our live oak and tan oak habitats (they like hardwoods). Identifying down to species can be tough, and we may have undescribed species or members going by European names. Basically, dry caps that crack, often staining blue, often reddish stipes, often parasitized by Hypomyces and even more often not worth eating... So what matters here? For a long time they were in Boletus , then moved to Xerocomus , and now they are in Xerocomellus . Looks like they will stay in Xerocomellus with our one “true” Xercomus , Boletus subtomentosus , moving into its proper nomenclature home. Still with me? Current species: Species Notes Xerocomellus chrysenteron The “Cracked Cap” bolete. Used to be B. chrysenteron . Xerocomellus dryophilus Xerocomellus dryophilus – Probably one you are not familiar with. Really pretty red-capped mushroom that is sporadic in the county, but often common where it does occur. Formally B. dryophilus . Xerocomellus truncatus Xerocomellus truncatus – Macroscopically very similar to X. chrysenteron and often difficult to tell apart. Used to be B. truncatus . Xerocomellus zelleri and Xerocomellus atropurpureus “Zeller's” bolete and supposedly the best edible of the bunch... (But put enough butter, salt and garlic on a piece of cardboard and it too can be the best edible in Office Max. Fifteen glasses of wine prior probably does not hurt either...) Regardless, a really striking mushroom when fresh. Both to be B. zelleri . Xerocomellus atropurpureus is considered the more common of the two. Auroboletus (Oh yeah! Those things!) This change has been around for a while and is pretty easy. The boletes with the neon yellow pores are now in Auroboletus . We currently only have two which grow with local hardwoods (both are edible). Some years they are scarce, some years abundant. During one abundant year we decided to cook them up for some UCSC students. They actually really liked them! Go figure... Species Notes Aureoboletus citriniporus The dry-capped one. Previously Boletus citriniporus Aureoboletus flaviporus The slimy-capped one. Boletus flaviporus Poisonous Boletes Rubroboletus eastwoodiae . Photo by Yevgeny Nyden I guess what could be called the “poisonous” bolete group, these two were in limbo for a while, but have now been reclassified. Species Notes Suillellus amygdalinus No common name that I know of. Orangish pores and intensely stains blue. Grows with hardwoods. Long thought to be poisonous, recent discussions and some unverified taste tests claim it is actually edible. That is NOT an invitation for you to find out for sure. But if you do let me know. Formerly Boletus amygdalinus . Rubroboletus eastwoodiae The North American counterpart to "Satan's bolete" ( Rubroboletus satanas ). The common name is often misapplied here. Formerly known as Boletus eastwoodiae and Boletus satanas . Huge and gorgeous. Some years scarce, some years fruiting in enormous quantities. Easy one to learn. This species is without question seriously poisonous ! So there you have it. The current status on our local boletes, all of which could be wrong by this time next year. See you in the woods... Mushrooms covered: See code Previous Description All Featured Fungi Next Description

Kyle Garrone Kyle Garrone holds a degree in Plant Biology from the University of California, Davis with a focus on plant pathology and mycology. He has been the Production Manager of Far West Fungi since graduating from UC Davis in 2010, with his primary focus on increasing yields and experimenting with new varieties of mushrooms that have potential for wholesale customers. Kyle has traveled throughout the world to find the most successful and efficient growing methods and the most resilient and highest yielding mushroom varieties. He enjoys sharing what he has learned with those who are interested in exotic mushroom cultivation. farwestfungi.com Far West Fungi - Organic Mushrooms, Grow Kits & Mushroom Products Far West Fungi grows and sells fresh organically grown and wild mushrooms, mushroom grow kits and mushroom products. 2026 Kyle Garrone 2026 Santa Cruz Fungus Fair Talks Buy Tickets Commercial Mushroom Cultivation Sunday, January 11, 2026 10:00 PM - 11:00 PM Room 1 Mushroom Cultivation Monday, January 13, 2025 12:00 AM - 1:00 AM Room 1

Alan Rockefeller Researcher and Photographer Alan is a researcher, educator, consultant and speaker specializing in DNA bar-coding, field photography, and fungal microscopy. With a bilingual proficiency developed over 15 years of studying mushroom diversity in Mexico, he leads forays across North America, sparking interest and discovery. His extensive contributions to community science include teaching many mushroom DNA, photography and microscopy workshops and identifying over 300,000 fungi online. As of today, Alan has uploaded more than 700 of his own fungal DNA sequences to Genbank, and he is a co-author on several scientific papers, including publications documenting new species of bioluminescent Mycena and Psilocybe . www.mycena.llc Mycena Home Page Explore the genetic intricacies of fungi with mycologists. Discover events, workshops, and stunning fungal photography. Shop courses & merch. Join our mycology community! 2026 Alan Rockefeller 2026 Santa Cruz Fungus Fair Talks Buy Tickets Revealing Fungal Secrets: Apps and Programs for Mushroom Discovery In this talk, Alan Rockefeller will demonstrate powerful Android and iPhone apps, websites, and computer programs that help mushroom enthusiasts, researchers, and photographers explore… Show More Friday, January 9, 2026 10:30 PM - 11:30 PM Room 3 Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Fungi These types of mushrooms are both beautiful and scientifically fascinating. This presentation has hundreds of high quality photos and photography tips for both types… Show More Friday, January 10, 2025 10:30 PM - 11:30 PM Room 3 Decoding the Forest Floor The Art of Mushroom Recognition Sunday, January 12, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Room 1

Dr. Bill Schoenbart Practitioner of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture Dr. Bill Schoenbart is a practitioner of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture with over 30 years of experience. He has been working with medicinal herbs since 1969, with a clinical practice in traditional Chinese herbal medicine since 1991. His work has taken him through every aspect of the herb industry: research, manufacturing, product safety, botanical identity, efficacy, label reviews, trade associations, teaching, and clinical practice. From a very young age, he has been fascinated by nature. He would spend hours each day exploring the forests, meadows, rivers, and ponds near his childhood home. Field guides to insects, animals, and plants were worn out from constant use. General science and biology classes were also his favorite subjects in school. So, it’s no coincidence that his career path led to a field that combines biology with botany. https://doctorbillschoenbart.com/ herbalproductconsulting.com Home - Herbal Product Consulting Make better, more effective, safer and more compliant products by working with Herbal Product Consulting. Learn more here or call us at 831-466-0980. 2026 Dr. Bill Schoenbart 2026 Santa Cruz Fungus Fair Talks Buy Tickets Medicinal Mushrooms Traditional Usage in Chinese Medicine and Modern Scientific Research Medicinal mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. They have also been the subject of numerous scientific studies in recent… Show More Saturday, January 10, 2026 11:50 PM - 12:50 AM Room 3 Energetics of Medicinal Mushrooms in Traditional Chinese Medicine: How they Work Along with Herbs to Treat Various Conditions Monday, January 12, 2026 12:00 AM - 1:00 AM Room 1 Medicinal Mushrooms Science and Traditional Usage Medicinal mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. They have also been the subject of numerous scientific studies in recent… Show More Saturday, January 11, 2025 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM Room 3 Medicinal Mushrooms Traditional Usage and Modern Science Sunday, January 12, 2025 7:30 PM - 8:30 AM Room 1

Chad Hyatt Chef and Author Chef Chad Hyatt, the author of " The Mushroom Hunter's Kitchen ", is an expert forager and classically trained chef who has made a name for himself in northern California and beyond, sharing his delicious spin on wild mushroom cookery. He has cooked in a variety of restaurants and private clubs around the San Francisco Bay area, and these days, freelances. Chad can often be found foraging for mushrooms, putting on wild mushroom-themed dinners, and teaching mushroom-related classes around the United States. He is passionate about cooking approachable comfort food based on local, seasonal ingredients, and, of course, wild mushrooms. www.themushroomhunterskitchen.com The Mushroom Hunter's Kitchen A wild mushroom cookbook that reinvents what you thought possible with mushrooms, and that brings new life to classic comfort foods. 2026 Chef Chad Hyatt 2026 Santa Cruz Fungus Fair Talks Buy Tickets Question And Answer Session about Identifying and Cooking Wild Mushrooms Sunday, January 11, 2026 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Room 1 Mushroom Cooking Demo with Tasting and optional Wine Pairing Chef Chad Hyatt will demonstrate his cooking techniques and his creations will be paired with exquisite wines provided by vintner Jeff Emery of Santa… Show More Sunday, January 11, 2026 10:15 PM - 11:25 PM Room 3 A Mushroom Tasting with Wine Pairing Chef Chad Hyatt will demonstrate his cooking techniques and his creations will be paired with exquisite wines provided by vintner Jeff Emery of Santa… Show More Sunday, January 12, 2025 10:45 PM - 12:00 AM Room 3