ESSMI notes growth In conclusion, Evelin gave a short report of the trip to Italy (see MB130 and MB131) and presented the new ESSMI homepage. The rise in the number of members to 112 is quite spectacular and the trend is expected to continue. The financial capacity and influence of ESSMI will increase in proportion to the growing number of members. As a reputable professional association, ESSMI will be able to increase its influence in Europe in terms of representing and protecting the interests of its members. For example, one discussion point is when a mushroom may be considered ‘European’. The logical answer is that it must have been grown on substrates that comprise European ingredients. However, logic and regulations can be far removed, so patience is the message for the meanwhile.
Japan in 2027 No ESSMI spring trip has been scheduled for 2026 as the Dutch Mushroom Days will be organised in Den Bosch in April. The annual members’ meeting will be held in the autumn, hosted in Switzerland and southern Germany. In 2027, ESSMI will travel to Japan in the spring, and shortly afterwards the second edition of Woodfungi will be organised in Ghent (Belgium) following the first edition which took place in 2018 (see MB89). The last agenda item was approving and adop- ting the treasurer’s report, drawn up by Patrick Romanens, and the discharge of the board. After the official matters, the participants were treated to an abundant Austrian buffet, which tasted delicious in such great company.
Biopilzzucht Reiser The second day was dedicated to farm walks. Due to the size of the group one half started at
Pholiota Nameko at Reiser.
Reiser, the other at Marchfelder. The groups reunited at midday to share lunch in the hotel and visited the other farm in the afternoon. David Reiser is a proud farmer’s son, who started growing organic mushrooms next to his parents’ farm 10 years ago. Two years ago, he felt he had reached the stage where he could produce his own substrate as well. He is driven by sustainability: he has covered his 2,500 m² building with a more than two metre layer of soil as insulation, all his organic raw materials are sourced in the region and his steam installation is power by locally provided wood pellets. With a team of 11 employees, he produces 2.5 tons of substrate a day, which is pressed into bags with a inoculation hole in the centre using a Chinese filling machine. He uses a Chinese, rectangular double-door autoclave, which opens into the inoculation room to heat treat the substrates. The process lasts 5-6
The combined
sales of European specialty
mushrooms now amount to
around 82,000 tons per year.
Shiitake at Biopilzzucht Reiser.
Magda checking out the shiitake.
MUSHROOM BUSINESS 33
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