Emily Johnson
Hazel Dell Mushrooms is a family-run gourmet mushroom farm located in Fort Collins, Colorado. It was established in 1995 and has been producing exotic mushrooms since. The farm grows about 4000-8000 pounds of mushrooms every week, including shiitake, oyster, lion's mane, royal trumpet, black king trumpet, cremini, cinnamon cap, pioppino, and maitake. Hazel Dell Mushrooms are certified organic by the Colorado Department of Agriculture and are available for retail and wholesale purchase.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Fort Collins, Colorado |
| Type of Farm | Family-run mushroom farm |
| Farm Open Days | Monday-Friday from 9 am-5 pm |
| Mushroom Varieties | Shiitake, Oyster, Lion's Mane, Royal Trumpet, Black King Trumpet, Cremini, Cinnamon Cap, Pioppino, and Maitake |
| Mushroom Production | 4,000-8,000 pounds of mushrooms every week |
| Mushroom Sales | Retail sales, online store, and farmers' markets in Boulder, Longmont, and Fort Collins |
| Mushroom Growing Process | Starts as tissue culture in a petri dish, cloned instead of grown from spores for consistent results |
| Mushroom Incubation Period | Depending on the variety, it can take 4 to 12 weeks for the fungus to fully colonize the substrate |
| Mushroom Recipes | Sautéed mushrooms added to pasta, pizza, scrambled eggs, or soup |
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What You'll Learn
Hazel Dell Mushrooms is a family-run mushroom farm in Fort Collins, Colorado
The farm is located just outside of Fort Collins, with a small sign in front of an old farmstead. Despite its unassuming appearance, Hazel Dell produces 4,000-8,000 pounds of mushrooms every week, providing an abundance of fresh, gourmet fungi to local restaurants and markets. The farm is open for retail sales Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, and you can also find their products at the Farmers Markets in Boulder, Longmont, and Fort Collins every Saturday.
Hazel Dell currently grows eight to ten different varieties of mushrooms, including shiitake, royal trumpet, oyster (golden and pink), black king trumpet, cremini, cinnamon cap, pioppino, and lion's mane. Their mushrooms are certified organic by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and they take pride in their hands-on growing process, ensuring consistent quality and freshness.
The journey of each mushroom at Hazel Dell starts as tissue culture in a petri dish, a method that ensures consistency by avoiding the use of spores. From there, it takes anywhere from four to twelve weeks for the fungus to fully colonize the nutrient-rich hardwood substrate. The most popular variety, shiitake, takes the longest to incubate, up to three months.
In addition to fresh mushrooms, Hazel Dell also offers mushroom compost for gardens and plans to expand their product line to include dried mushrooms and mushroom powder, which can be added to dishes for a boost of flavour and nutrients.
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They grow 4-5000 pounds of mushrooms weekly
Hazel Dell Mushrooms is a family-run mushroom farm located in Fort Collins, Colorado. It was established in 1995, well before the gourmet mushroom trend took off. The farm currently produces 4,000-5,000 pounds of mushrooms every week, an impressive feat that showcases the dedication and hard work of its owners and staff. This abundance of earthy and flavorful fungi supplies local restaurants and markets, such as The Cache at Ginger and Baker and their Café, with a variety of fresh mushrooms.
The farm is owned and operated by Jared Scherger and Lucinda Womack, who assumed ownership in 2020 from James and Antonia Hammond. Jared Scherger, the farm manager, has worked at Hazel Dell for over 12 years and is proud to continue the farm's legacy. The previous owners, Jim and Toni Hammond, moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, from California in 1997 to be closer to their family and started growing mushrooms.
Hazel Dell Mushrooms has come a long way and continues to expand its operations. They currently grow eight to ten different varieties of gourmet mushrooms, including shiitake, oyster (with golden and pink varieties), black king trumpet, cremini, cinnamon cap, pioppino, lion's mane, and royal trumpet. Their most popular mushrooms, shiitakes, can take up to three months to incubate, showcasing the patience and dedication required in the mushroom-growing process.
The farm is open for retail sales Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, offering fresh mushrooms and mushroom compost for customers. They also attend Farmers Markets in Boulder, Longmont, and Fort Collins every Saturday, bringing their delicious produce to a wider audience. Hazel Dell Mushrooms' dedication to their craft and their community is evident, and their success in growing 4,000-5,000 pounds of mushrooms weekly is a testament to their expertise and hard work.
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They sell mushrooms and mushroom compost at the farm
Hazel Dell Mushrooms is a family-run mushroom farm located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The farm is open for retail sales from Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, where they sell mushrooms and mushroom compost. You can also find them at the Farmers Markets in Boulder, Longmont, and Fort Collins every Saturday.
Hazel Dell grows several varieties of gourmet mushrooms, including Lion's Mane, Oyster, Shiitake, Cremini, Cinnamon Cap, Pioppino, and Maitake. Their mushrooms are certified organic by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and they offer free standard shipping on orders over $20. The farm has been in operation since 1995, previously owned by James and Antonia Hammond, and now owned by Jared Scherger and Lucinda Womack.
Jared Scherger, the farm manager, recommends getting a mixed bag of mushrooms to discover the different flavors and textures. He also shares a unique recipe, replacing crab with sautéed King Oysters and Lion's Mane in a crab cake recipe.
Hazel Dell's mushrooms start out as tissue culture in a petri dish, a method that ensures consistent results. Their most popular variety, Shiitake, takes up to three months to incubate. The farm produces an impressive 4,000 to 8,000 pounds of mushrooms every week, supplying local restaurants and markets with fresh, flavorful fungi.
In addition to fresh mushrooms, Hazel Dell also offers dried mushrooms and mushroom powder, which can be sprinkled into dishes during the final minutes of cooking to enhance the flavor and nutrient profile.
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Hazel Dell grows 8-14 varieties of mushrooms
Hazel Dell Mushrooms is a family-run mushroom farm located in Fort Collins, Colorado, that has been in operation since 1995. The farm is owned and operated by Jared Scherger and Lucinda Womack, who assumed ownership in 2020 from James and Antonia Hammond. Hazel Dell grows a variety of gourmet mushrooms, ranging from 8 to 14 different types, depending on the source. The process of mushroom growing at Hazel Dell is unique, as they start their mushrooms from tissue culture in a petri dish rather than from spores, ensuring consistent results. This hands-on process can take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the variety.
Among the mushrooms grown at Hazel Dell are shiitake, oyster (including golden oyster), king oyster, black king trumpet, royal trumpet, cremini, cinnamon cap, pioppino, lion's mane, and maitake. Their most popular variety is shiitake, which can take up to three months to incubate. The farm produces 4,000-8,000 pounds of mushrooms every week, supplying local restaurants and farmers' markets. In addition to fresh mushrooms, Hazel Dell also offers mushroom compost for gardens and plans to ship dried mushrooms and mushroom powder.
Jared Scherger, the farm manager, recommends trying a mixed bag of mushrooms to discover the different flavors and textures offered by Hazel Dell. He suggests simple preparations, such as slicing and sautéing the mushrooms to add to pasta, pizza, or scrambled eggs. One of his favorite recipes is a crab cake made with shredded king oyster and chopped lion's mane mushrooms, which he claims tastes similar to crab or lobster meat.
Hazel Dell Mushrooms is more than just a business; it's a destination for mushroom enthusiasts and foodies alike. The farm offers tours of its outbuildings, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the art of cultivating wild mushroom varieties. The farm is open for retail sales Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, and their products can also be found at the Boulder, Longmont, and Fort Collins Farmers Markets every Saturday.
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Their mushrooms are certified organic by the Colorado Department of Agriculture
Hazel Dell Mushrooms is a family-run mushroom farm located in Fort Collins, Colorado. It was established in 1995, well before the gourmet mushroom trend took off. The farm is owned and operated by Jared Scherger and Lucinda Womack, who took over in 2020 from James and Antonia Hammond. Hazel Dell has been producing high-quality organic exotic mushrooms since its inception.
All Hazel Dell mushrooms are certified organic by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, ensuring that their products meet stringent standards for quality and safety. This certification is a testament to the farm's commitment to sustainable and organic farming practices.
The certification by the Colorado Department of Agriculture is significant because it provides consumers with the assurance that the mushrooms they are purchasing from Hazel Dell are of the highest quality and have been produced using environmentally friendly methods. This certification also helps to differentiate Hazel Dell mushrooms from those of its competitors, as it indicates that their products have met specific standards and undergone rigorous inspections and audits to ensure compliance with organic standards.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture has strict guidelines and requirements that farms must adhere to in order to obtain and maintain their organic certification. These standards cover various aspects of farming practices, including soil health, pest management, water conservation, and the prohibition of synthetic chemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). By achieving this certification, Hazel Dell Mushrooms has demonstrated its dedication to sustainable and eco-friendly practices, as well as its commitment to providing consumers with healthy and safe mushroom products.
The organic certification also brings several benefits to Hazel Dell Mushrooms. Firstly, it enhances the reputation and credibility of the farm, as consumers increasingly seek out organic and sustainably produced food options. This certification can lead to increased consumer trust and loyalty, knowing that the mushrooms they purchase are of the highest quality and grown using environmentally conscious methods. Additionally, the certification may open up new market opportunities for Hazel Dell, as they can cater to niche markets that specifically seek out certified organic products. Furthermore, the certification can also help Hazel Dell Mushrooms stand out in a competitive market, differentiating themselves from non-certified competitors and gaining a competitive edge.
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Frequently asked questions
Hazel Dell Mushrooms is a family-run gourmet mushroom farm located in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Hazel Dell grows several varieties of mushrooms, including shiitake, royal trumpet, oyster, black king trumpet, cremini, cinnamon cap, pioppino, lion's mane, king oyster, and maitake.
Hazel Dell Mushrooms are available for purchase directly from the farm in Fort Collins, as well as at the Boulder, Longmont, and Fort Collins Farmers Markets. They also have an online store and offer free shipping on orders over $20.
