Laura Smith
Pennsylvania is home to the largest grower of specialty mushrooms in the United States, with Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, being known as the Mushroom Capital of the World. The state produces 68% of the nation's 946 million pounds of mushrooms, with almost 400 million pounds coming from the Kennett Square area in 2015. The largest majority of white button mushrooms consumed in the United States come from Pennsylvania, with the state accounting for 69% of the total volume of sales. The state is also home to South Mill Champs, one of North America's largest growers and suppliers of fresh mushrooms, which recently opened its largest single-site mushroom farm in Oxford, Pennsylvania. With a long history of mushroom farming, Pennsylvania is a leader in mushroom production in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom farms in Pennsylvania | Phillips Mushroom Farms, Sylvan Inc |
| Location | Kennett Square, Pennsylvania |
| Type of tour | Self-guided |
| Features | Gift shop, museum, cultivation innovations, history of the farm, science behind mushroom growing |
| Products | Fresh, dried, jarred mushrooms, mushroom-themed merchandise, mushroom soup, mushroom ice cream, mushroom energy drinks |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square
The farm's state-of-the-art facility in Kennett Square is one of three growing locations, with the other two in Warwick, MD, and Kelton, PA. Their subsidiary, Phillips Gourmet, develops proprietary mushroom formulations for restaurants, stores, and food manufacturers, ensuring fresh flavour, colour, and texture by processing mushrooms within three days of harvesting.
The Woodlands at Phillips Mushroom Farms offers a unique experience for visitors. Housed in the original 1828 family farm home, the shop sells fresh, jarred, and dried mushrooms, along with mushroom-themed gifts, books, and specialty teas. Visitors can explore a mushroom exhibit, learning about the farm's history and the science of mushroom cultivation. The outdoor area features whimsical ceramic mushroom ornaments handcrafted by American artisans.
The farm also boasts the world's only museum dedicated solely to mushrooms, offering a deep dive into cultivation innovations and the fascinating world of fungi. Self-guided tours are available for visitors to explore the museum and learn about the farm's operations. Martha Stewart, who visited the farm, recommends it as a great place to visit, praising the Phillips family's dedication to innovation and quality.
Mushrooms: The Kingdom of Fungi
You may want to see also
The Woodlands at Phillips: museum and shop
The Woodlands at Phillips is a museum and shop located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, at 1020 Kaolin Road. The site is a restored 1828 farmhouse that the Phillips family purchased in 1890 and has been cultivating mushrooms since 1927. The Woodlands is dedicated to all things mushrooms, from cultivation innovations to their many uses, and is the only museum in the world solely dedicated to mushrooms.
The Museum
The museum is free to visit and offers self-guided tours. It showcases the history of Phillips Mushroom Farms and the science behind mushroom growing. Visitors can learn about the different varieties of mushrooms and their unique medicinal benefits through posters, videos, and displays of growing and harvesting techniques. The museum also offers a deep dive into the world of fungi, including the fascinating fact that some fungi "talk".
The Shop
The shop is housed in the original farmhouse and offers a variety of mushroom products, including fresh, jarred, and dried mushrooms, such as porcini, trumpet, and oyster mushrooms. Visitors can also purchase unique mushroom gifts, books about mushroom cultivation, cooking, and medicinal uses, as well as specialty teas made with energizing reishi or Lion's mane mushrooms. The shop also offers mushroom-themed merchandise, including some adorable baby items, mushroom-based energy drinks, and vanilla ice cream popsicles.
The Farm
Phillips Mushroom Farms is a multi-generation family-owned business and is the largest marketer of specialty mushrooms in the United States, distributing over 35 million pounds of mushrooms annually. The farm has a state-of-the-art facility with nearly a million square feet of specially designed growing space. They grow and sell seven different types of mushrooms: White Button, Crimini, Portabella, Shiitake, Oyster, Maitake, and Royal Trumpet®.
The Woodlands at Phillips is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in mushrooms, offering a wealth of knowledge, unique products, and a fascinating glimpse into the world of mushroom cultivation.
Psychedelic Power: Burmese Mushrooms' Potent Punch
You may want to see also
Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club
The Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club offers tours of mushroom farms and factories. One such tour included a visit to Sylvan, Inc., which is the world's largest producer of mushroom spawn. The farm grows test batches of agaricus bisporus for quality control, and the factory produces mushroom spawn for sale to mushroom growers. The club also organises walks and forays, such as the annual Boyce Mayview foray, where participants can learn about and identify different species of mushrooms and fungi. For example, a walk at Frick Park yielded sightings of Arcyria denudata (Pink Carnival Candy Slime), Artomyces pyxidatus (Crown-tipped Coral Fungus), and Baorangia.
The Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club is not the only organisation offering mushroom-related tours in the state. The Woodlands at Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is a multi-generation 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. Visitors to the farm can take a self-guided tour of the museum, which offers insights into the history and science of mushroom growing, as well as browse the gift shop, which sells fresh, jarred, and dried mushrooms, along with unique mushroom-themed gifts and books.
Another notable mushroom farm in Pennsylvania is the Kennett Mushroom Farm, which offers a deep dive into everything related to mushrooms, from cultivation innovations to fungi that "talk". The museum at the farm is free to visit and offers a unique perspective on the world of mycology.
Mushrooms on Carpets: Are They a Health Hazard?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Sylvan: world's largest producer of mushroom spawn
Sylvan Inc. is the world's largest producer of mushroom spawn. Spawn is the term for the mycelium of a mushroom, which is the part that grows and produces mushrooms. It is often made by mixing sterilized rye with Agaricus bisporus in a large blender.
Sylvan's facility is state-of-the-art, with three buildings that include test beds for growing mushrooms for quality control. The Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club has organised tours of the facility, where visitors can learn about the operation of the mushroom farm and observe the test beds.
Sylvan is located in Pennsylvania, which is the largest producer of specialty mushrooms in the United States. In particular, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is known as the ""Mushroom Capital of the World", as it produces almost 400 million pounds of mushrooms, with 85% of the nation's mushrooms coming from Pennsylvania.
Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square is a notable mushroom grower in the region. It is a multi-generation family-owned business that has been cultivating mushrooms since 1927. The farm includes seven acres under the roof, with nearly a million square feet of growing space. The farm also features a museum and a gift shop, selling mushroom-themed merchandise, dried mushrooms, and mushroom-based food and drink products.
Enoki Mushrooms: Are They Worth the Price?
You may want to see also
Phillips: the largest marketer of specialty mushrooms in the US
Phillips Mushroom Farms, located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is the largest marketer of specialty mushrooms in the US. Founded in 1962, Phillips was the first commercial grower in the country to cultivate Shiitake mushrooms year-round for the fresh market. The farm is situated in the self-proclaimed 'Mushroom Capital of the World', as Kennett Square and its surrounding areas produce 68% of the nation's mushrooms, with nearly 400 million pounds of mushrooms originating from this region in 2015.
Phillips Mushroom Farms is a significant contributor to Pennsylvania's thriving mushroom industry, which has been a leading sector in the state's agriculture-focused economy. The farm is managed by Jim Angelucci, who brings over 40 years of experience in the mushroom business.
In addition to its commercial growing operations, Phillips prioritises education and community engagement. The Woodlands at Phillips, established in a restored 1828 farmhouse purchased by the Phillips family in 1890, serves as a showcase for Phillips products. Visitors can purchase fresh, processed, frozen, and dried mushrooms, along with various mushroom-themed items. The site also features a mushroom exhibit, where visitors can view different mushroom varieties and learn about their medicinal benefits through posters and videos.
Phillips Mushroom Farms has played a pivotal role in establishing Pennsylvania as the top producer of specialty mushrooms in the United States. The state's favourable growing conditions and long history of mushroom cultivation, combined with Phillips' expertise and innovation, have solidified its position as a leader in the industry.
The farm's success has spurred economic growth in the region, generating revenue and providing employment opportunities. With a focus on adapting to new technologies and meeting consumer demands, Phillips Mushroom Farms continues to be a driving force in the US mushroom market.
Growing Mushrooms: Spawn Quantity for a Quart
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Pennsylvania is home to the largest grower of specialty mushrooms in the U.S. and produces 68% of the nation's mushrooms.
Most of the mushroom farms are located in Kennett Square, which is known as the "Mushroom Capital of the World". Other farms are located in Oxford, southeastern Chester County, and Berks County.
Some of the large mushroom farms in Pennsylvania include Phillips Mushroom Farms, South Mill Champs, and The Woodlands at Phillips.
The types of mushrooms grown in Pennsylvania include Agaricus mushrooms, such as white button mushrooms, and brown mushrooms like Portabello and Crimini.
