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 for members only. Meetings and forays are dedicated to learning and improving mushroom identification skills.

Annual events include introductory and advanced classes on wild mushrooms.

An introductory class is offered in spring and fall, and is intended for those with little or no previous knowledge about mushrooms–it covers:

• An introduction to the science of mycology
• How to sort mushrooms into five major categories
• The basics of mushroom Identification
• Poisonous mushrooms that every mushroom forager should know
• Some common mushrooms found in Minnesota, including the “Safe Six” edible mushrooms

Our certification class is an advanced class offered once every spring, and is required to sell wild mushrooms to food establishments in Minnesota (see MDA’s wild mushroom foraging page for more info). The following mushrooms are taught in this class: Morels, Chanterelles, Black Trumpet, Sulphur Shelf, Lobster Fungus, Hedgehog, Hericium species, Giant Puffball, and Hen of the Woods.  

Other annual events include a Minnesota State Fair booth staffed by club mycology experts with displays of freshly collected local wild mushrooms.  Highlights at the end of the year include our photo contest, and a potluck plus holiday craft fair. At the beginning of the year in 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	Heather Erickson
Treasurer	Dang Le
Recording Secretary	Aaron Berg
Corresponding Secretary	Mary Dresser
Member at Large	Ross Haugberg
Member at Large	Matthew Mosher
Past President	Tim Clemens
Communications & IT Committee Chair, Newsletter Editor	Heather Erickson
Education Committee Chair	Ron Spinosa
Events & Fundraising Chair	-vacant-
Foray Committee Chair	Jitka Sirucek
Governance Committee Chair, Collections & Vouchers	Adele Mehta
Meetings & Speakers Committee Chair	Kathy Yerich
Membership & Finance Committee Chair	John Lamprecht
Minnesota Funga Committee Chair	Troy Howard
Scholarships Committee Chair	Randy Strobel
General Counsel	David Schultz
Webmaster	Jane Onorati
MMS Store Keeper	Kathy Yerich
NAMA Trustee	Peggy Laine
Photo Contest Director	Nancy Etzwiler
Scientific Advisor	Nick Rajtar