About the MMS

 

The Minnesota Mycological Society (MMS) is an educational organization for the study of mushrooms and other fungi. Our members work with professional mycologists to improve their mushroom identification skills, build the mycological collection at the University of Minnesota, educate the public about fungi and assist the Hennepin County Poison Center in mushroom identification.

The MMS is governed by bylaws that define our structure and purpose.

Our interests include:

• collecting and identifying wild mushrooms and other fungi
• cooking with wild mushrooms
• photographing mushrooms
• arts and crafts with fungi

Meetings (Zoom or hybrid Zoom/in-person) take place on the second Monday of each month, with occasional added meetings on the fourth Monday of the month. Presentations and workshops by invited professionals and members of the MMS are an important part of our educational work.

Forays (guided mushroom hunts) are held from May to October. Meetings and forays are dedicated to learning and improving mushroom identification skills.

Annual events include two mushroom certification classes for edible mushroom foraging.  One in early spring covering Morels, Chanterelles, Black Trumpet, and Sulphur Shelf, and then one in the summer covering Lobster Fungus, Hedgehog, Hericium species, Giant Puffball, and Hen of the Woods. This certification is required to sell wild mushrooms to food establishments in Minnesota (see MDA’s wild mushroom foraging page for more info).  The MMS has a booth at every Minnesota State Fair staffed by club mycology experts with displays of freshly collected local wild mushrooms.

A photo contest, a potluck dinner and a holiday celebration are the highlights at the close of the season. During winter, the MMS also hosts an annual awards banquet.

  

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The Minnesota Mycological Society is governed by a volunteer board, and depends on engaged members to remain active.

Current MMS officers, commmittee chairs, and principal volunteers are:

President	Peter Martignacco
Vice President	Kathy Yerich
Treasurer	Therese Casey
Recording Secretary	Aaron Berg
Corresponding Secretary	Jane Onorati
Member at Large	Ross Haugberg
Member at Large	David King
Past President	Tim Clemens
Communications & IT Committee Chair, Webmaster	Jane Onorati
Education Committee Chair	Ron Spinosa
Events & Fundraising Chair, Newsletter Editor	Heather Erickson
Foray Committee Chair	John Lamprecht
Governance Committee Chair, Collections & Vouchers	Adele Mehta
Meetings & Speakers Committee Chair	Kathy Yerich
Membership & Finance Committee Chair	Claudette Lamprecht
Minnesota Funga Committee Chair	Troy Howard
Scholarships Committee Chair	Randy Strobel
General Counsel	David Schultz
MMS Store Keeper	Kathy Yerich
NAMA Trustee	Peggy Laine
Photo Contest Coordinator	Nancy Etzwiler
Scientific Advisor	Nick Rajtar