Certified Wild Mushroom Harvester Class 2026

Earn the certification required to be qualified to sell wild-foraged mushrooms from land you own or control to commercial eating establishments and markets in Minnesota by successfully completing this 6-hour class. This is not a class for beginners. Previous knowledge of basic mushroom identification and experience foraging for wild mushrooms is essential. In this class, we will review the identification of mushrooms using macro-features. 

About this class

We will touch on the specifics of the food safety regulations administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as they pertain to gathering and selling wild-foraged mushrooms. We will also cover food handling safety for mushrooms and how to collect, grade, store, and transport your finds. We will also cover edibility concerns and discuss dangerous/inedible mushrooms. Successful completion of this class will qualify you to be certified for the following edible species:

Successful completion of this class will qualify you to be certified for the following edible species:

• True Morels (Morchella species)
• Chanterelles (Cantharellus species)
• Black Trumpets, Tubies, Yellow-foots (Craterellus species)
• Sulphur Shelf (Laetiporus species)
• Hedgehogs (Hydnum species)
• Lion’s Mane, Bears’ Head Tooth (Hericium species)
• Lobster Fungus (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
• Giant Puffballs (Calvatia species)
• Hen of the Woods, aka Maitake (Grifola frondosa)

Registration

Cost is $120.00 for non-MMS members, first-time attendees. There is a $20 discount for current MMS members. If you’re not an MMS member, you can save $20 by joining now and then signing up for the class. We will take a quick lunch break during class and offer several box lunch options, or you can bring your own, which is best if you have food allergy concerns. When you register, please select your food option (see options below). 

Space is limited to 50 attendees, and these classes fill up quickly. 

Registration will open on Friday, January 1, at noon and will close on February 5 at 11:59 PM. To reserve your spot, register via our TicketTailor event and finalize your purchase through PayPal. A spot is not reserved without confirmation. Save the confirmation info for your reference.

🎟 Tickets — Register Now!

Mushroom Foragers and Food Service –
Commercial Sale of Wild Foraged Mushrooms

In accordance with the Minnesota Food Code 4626.0155: Mushroom Foragers wishing to sell their Wild Foraged Mushrooms to Commercial Establishments must have successfully completed a course in Mushroom Identification, Traceability, and Safe Food Handling and provide documentation of course completion issued by a Mycological Society or Academic Institute to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). See MDA’s wild mushroom foraging page for more information.

About our certification classes

• The MMS has combined the certification class to include all specific mushroom species. Certification classes are offered in cooperation with the MDA. The certification class is intended for those with more advanced identification skills and prior foraging experience. Passing the required test with a score of 90% or higher is required to earn a certificate. After you sign up, participants in this class will receive a pre-study guide via email to the email on record. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with this information to better prepare you for the class and the final test. 
• Your specific certificate is proof that you have successfully completed the course as listed above for those who want to sell wild (i.e., not cultivated) mushrooms harvested from land you own or control. It is illegal to collect mushrooms intended for sale from public lands. It is your responsibility to file your certificate and any other required documents with the MDA to be registered in their database as a certified seller.
• The certification class is not for everyone. Membership and active participation in our club’s meetings and forays will provide the basic identification knowledge most people need to safely identify common edible mushrooms for personal consumption. 
• Box Lunch Sandwich options. Box lunch will include a sandwich, a salad, a bag of chips, and a cookie. Please bring your own water bottle. Sandwich options are: Roast Beef, Turkey, Ham, Gluten-Free, and Vegetarian.
• Refund policy. If, for any reason, you wish to cancel after registering, a refund (minus $10) will be sent to your PayPal address, provided cancellation is communicated before 11:59 PM, February 5^th. After that time, there will be no refund.

Visit Minnesota Department of Agriculture for additional details
Email certification questions and inquiries to John Lamprect, jml313@aol.com
Contact the Education Chair ateducation@minnesotamushrooms.org
Register now via Ticket Tailor