Watch

Finding Balance through Fungi Farming

Creator:
Published:
April 8, 2024
September 12, 2022
Watch this man tell his story about growing mushrooms for a living.

Josiah grew a love for farming mushrooms, and now he grows them as his livelihood. It can take several months to see good results in growing high-quality fungi, but he finds the challenge rewarding and fulfilling, in more ways than one.

“Since I've really found my calling in this, I feel like it has helped me become who I was meant to be, and through that everything has been strengthened,” Josiah shares.

Video Transcript

Meet Josiah: fungi farmer

Josiah: We produce 300–400 pounds of mushrooms. We inoculate them in the lab over there. We get to take them to farmer's markets and to restaurants. A lot of the new stuff we're learning, it touches two month, three month incubation time. So when you're putting months into something and you see anything new you've tried come through and you get good results — oh, my gosh, so rewarding.

I was the one that worked lots of different jobs. My wife was pregnant, and we kind of set out to build something that would allow me to spend time with my daughter. Things just started growing and before we knew it, in less than a year, Erin was able to quit her job that she'd had for 17 years at Walgreens, just like that.

(Talking to daughter) Do you want to get the eggs?

My daughter is 19 months, but she's already out there doing the chickens. She likes to pick mushrooms, like the scrap mushrooms, and put them in the bin. I would say my favorite mushroom to grow is always the next one — trying to learn something new and seeing success. Since I've really found my calling in this, I feel like it has helped me become who I was meant to be, and through that everything has been strengthened.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
April 8, 2024
September 12, 2022
On a related note...
Forgiving Your Parents for Past (or Present) Hurts

Forgiving Your Parents for Past (or Present) Hurts

Dr. Daniel, Bethany Meola

Fed Up With Work? These 8 Tips Can Help

Fed Up With Work? These 8 Tips Can Help

Emily Bouch

“Leaving Behind What We Think We Want”

“Leaving Behind What We Think We Want”

Christian Santa Maria

Unconventional Outdoor Hobbies to Try This Spring

Unconventional Outdoor Hobbies to Try This Spring

Lillian Fallon

A View of College Football from the Sidelines: A Kicker’s Perspective

A View of College Football from the Sidelines: A Kicker’s Perspective

Aaron Martinez, Grotto

How I Found Hope Working in Hospice Care

How I Found Hope Working in Hospice Care

Caitlan Rangel

How Resting on Sundays Can Transform Your Perspective

How Resting on Sundays Can Transform Your Perspective

Christian Santa Maria

3 Causes of Body Image Issues and Why They Matter

3 Causes of Body Image Issues and Why They Matter

John Acquaviva, PhD

Gossip Isn't Harmless — Here's How to Kick the Habit

Gossip Isn't Harmless — Here's How to Kick the Habit

Maria Walley

Why Silence is Paramount for Health (& Happiness)

Why Silence is Paramount for Health (& Happiness)

Maria Walley

This Baker Takes Artisan to a New Level

This Baker Takes Artisan to a New Level

Grotto

Why We Need to Prioritize Leisure Time

Why We Need to Prioritize Leisure Time

Krista Steele

5 Reasons to Try Meditation (If You Haven't, Yet)

5 Reasons to Try Meditation (If You Haven't, Yet)

Julia Hogan-Werner

Abstract Artist Creates Fresh Take on Religious Art

Abstract Artist Creates Fresh Take on Religious Art

Grotto

Why You Should Cultivate Body Diversity in Your Feed

Why You Should Cultivate Body Diversity in Your Feed

Jessica Ping-Wild

Email Etiquette Every Twentysomething Should Know

Email Etiquette Every Twentysomething Should Know

Victoria Rabuse

6 Tips for Enjoying Life in Chicago Safely

6 Tips for Enjoying Life in Chicago Safely

Mike Rossetti

7 Tips for Moving to a New City

7 Tips for Moving to a New City

Mike Jordan Laskey

4 Tips for Sharing a WFH Space with a Spouse

4 Tips for Sharing a WFH Space with a Spouse

Sarah Coffey

There’s More to a Thrift Shop Than a Great Deal

There’s More to a Thrift Shop Than a Great Deal

Grant Hartley

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.