Laura Smith
Pennsylvania is home to the largest grower of specialty mushrooms in the US, so it's no surprise that there are several mushroom farms in the state that offer tours. Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square is one such farm, founded in 1962, it was the first commercial grower in the US to grow shiitake mushrooms year-round for the fresh market. The farm offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of its state-of-the-art facility, which includes nearly a million square feet of specially designed growing space. Another option for mushroom enthusiasts is the Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club, which offers tours of a mushroom farm and factory. The club's website provides details on how to join a tour and learn more about the mushroom-growing process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom Farms in Pennsylvania offering tours | Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square, The Woodlands at Phillips Mushroom Farms, Sylvan Inc, Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club |
| Type of tours | Self-guided tours, exclusive behind-the-scenes tours |
| Features | Gift shop, museum, growing houses, factory, farm |
| Products | Fresh, jarred, dried mushrooms, mushroom-themed gifts, mushroom soup, mushroom cultivation innovations |
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What You'll Learn
Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square
The company is a leader in innovation and quality, focusing on providing consumers with the best-tasting mushrooms. They were among the first to recognise the growing demand for exotic mushroom varieties and now offer several exotic mushrooms for food manufacturing. Phillips Gourmet, a subsidiary of Phillips Mushroom Farms, develops and produces mushroom formulations for restaurants, club stores, grocery stores, and food manufacturers.
Phillips Mushroom Farms is committed to maintaining the freshness, colour, and texture of their mushrooms. They achieve this by processing their mushrooms within three days of harvesting. This quick turnaround time ensures that their customers receive mushrooms with optimal flavour, colour, and texture.
In addition to their large-scale mushroom cultivation, Phillips Mushroom Farms also offers a unique experience for visitors. At their location in Kennett Square, they have a museum dedicated to mushrooms, aptly named "The Woodlands at Phillips Mushroom Farms." This museum provides a deep dive into the world of mushrooms, covering topics such as cultivation innovations and fungi that "talk." The museum is free to visit, and self-guided tours are available for guests to explore at their own pace.
The Woodlands at Phillips Mushroom Farms also features a gift shop that sells various mushroom-related products. Visitors can purchase dried mushrooms, including porcini, trumpet, and oyster varieties, by the pound. The shop also offers specialty teas made with energising reishi or Lion's mane mushrooms, soups, swag, and prepared condiments. With its museum, gift shop, and insights into mushroom cultivation, The Woodlands at Phillips Mushroom Farms offers a fascinating and educational experience for anyone interested in learning more about the world of fungi.
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The Woodlands at Phillips
The retail store at The Woodlands at Phillips offers a variety of mushroom-related products, including dried mushrooms such as porcini, trumpet, and oyster, which can be purchased by the pound. They also sell specialty teas infused with reishi or Lion's mane mushrooms, providing a unique beverage experience. In addition to teas, visitors can find a range of mushroom-based soups, swag, and prepared condiments, making it a one-stop shop for mushroom enthusiasts and those curious about the fungi world.
A visit to The Woodlands at Phillips is an immersive experience, allowing guests to connect with nature and gain a deeper understanding of the fungi kingdom. The farm often hosts events and welcomes visitors from near and far, creating a community centred around the appreciation of mushrooms. Whether you're a mushroom connoisseur or a novice, the farm provides a wealth of knowledge and a chance to explore the diverse world of mushrooms, right in the heart of Pennsylvania.
Located at 1020 Kaolin Road in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, The Woodlands at Phillips can be contacted via email at woodlandspa@gmail.com or by phone at 610-444-2192 for inquiries about their products or to place orders. Their website, thewoodlandsatphillips.com, offers additional information about their farm and retail store. With their combination of a museum, retail store, and rich history, The Woodlands at Phillips has become a notable attraction for those interested in the fascinating world of mushrooms and agricultural innovation.
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Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club
The Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club offers tours of mushroom farms and factories. One such tour includes a visit to Sylvan, Inc., the world's largest producer of mushroom spawn, where guests can learn about the mushroom farm operation and observe test beds in Irish-type mushroom huts. The club also offers forays, including one partnered with the Upper St. Clair Library, where participants can search for and identify various species of mushrooms and fungi. The club has developed the Bolete Filter, a triage for North American Boletes, and is committed to promoting scientific and educational activities related to fungi and the sustainable and responsible collection of mushrooms. The club also has a website with information about upcoming events and activities.
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Sylvan, Inc
The company was formed through the acquisition of Myco-Sci by Sylvan Foods, Inc. in 1989. At the time, Myco-Sci operated two mushroom farms in Pennsylvania and Florida, producing 67 million pounds of mushrooms annually, with approximately 61 million pounds being fresh. The acquisition cost $33.4 million and was financed through a combination of bank loans, investments, and cash. Following the acquisition, Sylvan Foods became a publicly-traded company, with shares distributed to shareholders of The Prospect Group, the majority owner of Sylvan Foods.
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Kennett Square: Mushroom Capital of the World
Kennett Square in Pennsylvania has been dubbed the "Mushroom Capital of the World". The town is home to Phillips Mushroom Farms, a multi-generational family-owned business that has been cultivating mushrooms since 1927. The Phillips family is now in its third generation and is the largest marketer of specialty mushrooms in the United States, distributing over 35 million pounds of mushrooms each year.
Phillips Mushroom Farms offers visitors a behind-the-scenes look at their state-of-the-art facility, which includes seven acres under the roof and nearly a million square feet of specially designed growing space. The farm also has a shop called "The Woodlands", housed in the original 1828 family farm home that the Phillips family acquired in 1890. The shop offers fresh, jarred, and dried mushrooms, as well as unique mushroom gifts, books, and other merchandise.
In addition to the shop, there is also a mushroom exhibit that provides visitors with information about the farm's history and the science behind mushroom growing. The exhibit includes a room with examples of different mushroom growing and harvesting techniques. The farm offers a self-guided tour that is free for visitors.
The Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club also offers tours of a mushroom farm and factory, where visitors can learn about the process of growing mushrooms and producing mushroom spawn. The club organises visits to state-of-the-art facilities, such as Sylvan, Inc., which is the world's largest producer of mushroom spawn. These tours provide an opportunity to see the test beds used for quality control and to observe the process of mixing cooked rye and mycelium in a blender to create the medium for growing mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are a few mushroom farms in Pennsylvania that offer tours, including Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square and Sylvan, Inc.
Phillips Mushroom Farms offers a museum, a shop, and a farm. The museum is free to visit and tours are self-guided. The shop sells fresh, jarred, and dried mushrooms, as well as mushroom-themed gifts, books, and other merchandise. The farm offers an exhibit that showcases the history of the farm and the science behind mushroom growing.
Phillips Mushroom Farms grows a variety of mushrooms, including Velvet Pioppini, Royal Trumpet, and Oyster mushrooms.
Phillips Mushroom Farms is a multi-generational family-owned business that has been cultivating mushrooms since 1927. The Phillips family is now in its third generation and is the largest marketer of specialty mushrooms in the United States, distributing more than 35 million pounds of mushrooms each year.
Sylvan, Inc. is the world’s largest producer of mushroom spawn. They offer a tour of their state-of-the-art facility, which includes a look at their mushroom farm operation and test beds for quality control.
