MN State Fair display #1
MN State Fair display #2
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 take place monthly during entire year, and twice a month during April, May (when it does not fall on Memorial Day), September and October. 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.
The Minnesota Mycological Society is governed by a volunteer board, and depends on engaged members to remain active.
Current MMS officers and board members are:
| President | Tim Clemens |
| Vice President | Kathy Yerich |
| Treasurer | Claudette Lamprecht |
| Recording Secretary | Rachel Pastick |
| Corresponding Secretary | Richard Pizarro |
| Member at Large | Michael Herrick |
| Member at Large | Troy Howard |
| Membership Coordinator | John Lamprecht |
| NAMA Trustee/Yahoo Group | Peggy Laine |
| MMS Store Keeper/State Fair Volunteers | Delia Lam |
| Newsletter Editor | Ryan Franke |
| Webmaster | Jane Onorati |
| Foray Committee Chair | -VACANT- |
| Collections & Vouchers | Adele Mehta |
| Past President | John Lamprecht |
| General Counsel | Nancy Etzwiler |
| Scientific Advisor | Dr. Peter Kennedy, U of MN |
| Scientific Advisor | Dr. Tom Volk, U of WI |
| Scientific Advisor | Daniel Stanton, U of MN |
| Minnesota Funga Group | Anna Gerenday |
| Photo Contest Coordinator | Howard Goltz |
| ID Committee Chair | Ron Spinosa |
| Program Committee Chair | Kathy Yerich |
| State Fair/Events Chair | Michael Otis |