The MMS would like to invite new members, or members who are beginners to mushrooms and mycology to attend a beginner’s mushroom class.
This is a FREE class for MEMBERS ONLY – no guests.
Space is limited to 70 attendees. Registering in advance for this event is required, no exceptions. Members will receive the registration link on Saturday, March 14. The registration link will also be in the upcoming events list at the bottom of all MMS emails until registration closes on Thursday, April 9, at midnight.
This introductory class is intended for those with little or no previous knowledge about mushrooms. It will include:
- An introduction to the science of mycology
- How to sort mushrooms into six 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
The instructors will bring to the class some interesting mushrooms for examination and discussion.
Meet the class instructors
John Lamprecht
John has more than 40 years of experience as a mushroom forager, all of it since marrying into a forager family. John is a past president of the MMS, having retired from this position in 2019 after 6 years. John currently serves on the Board as Financial Chair and Membership Coordinator. He remains active as a member of the MMS Education Committee, where he is the Certification Class administrator and instructor, assists with the State fair, the Family Fungi Fest, foray leader, and foray educator, as well as Raffle Ticket pusher at the banquet and photo contest identification assistant.
Claudette Lamprecht
Claudette has been a member of the MMS since 2007 and has served 15 years on the MMS Board in various positions. Even though she has left the board, she still serves on the Scholarship Committee, the Foray Committee, and the Educational Committee, where she planned and led the Family Fungi Fest, assisted with the State Fair Display, and teaches classes for mushroom certification and mushroom ID. In 2024, NAMA honored Claudette with the Harry and Elsie Knighton Service Award for service to the MMS.
Heather Erickson
Heather is our vice president and has been a member since 2018. She is the Editor of the Toadstool Review, chair of the Communications & IT committee, and enjoys MMS outreach events and speaking on the history of the MMS and mycology. Heather’s favorite mushroom-related activities include foraging, cultivation, mycophagy, and researching how mycology has impacted our culture throughout history.
Aaron Berg
Aaron’s mushroom obsession started in 2007 when morels came up in his backyard after cutting down an old American Elm in 2006. He has been a member of MMS since 2015 and NAMA since 2022. He serves as Recording Secretary on the MMS board. Aaron led the Lake Carlos State Park camping foray in both 2023 and 2024, and is an active member of the MMS Funga Scientific Committee.
Erica Tava Johnson
Erica Tava is the Education Chair, working to make fungi feel welcoming for beginners and fun to learn. She focuses on helping new foragers know where to start and how to break identification into simple steps you can use right away. Erica is also involved with the MMS Funga Scientific Committee, the Communications and IT Committee, and she supports a range of classes and community events each year.