Understory Mushrooms
Understory Mushrooms, coming up on its first year, is a one-man show run by Caleb Schulte who moved to Whidbey from Colorado to start the mushroom farm. A venture that started with growing mycelium in his apartment via a Monotub, where he self-taught and honed his craft, has landed him here after his mother provided available land. Caleb believes that mushrooms can save us. He argues they are an incredible tool we have yet to fully tap into. From the health benefits of mushrooms for our brains and bodies to the environmental benefits and even getting people to forage more, Understory Mushrooms aims to highlight this resource at every juncture. The power of mycelium is what it all comes down to and serves as an ethos for Understory via the analogies and lessons derived from this work.
Setting up growing areas
Caleb moved out to the farm in August of 2023 to do this work. It began with building out the space—doing all the electrical himself, where new direction from inspectors and self-guided learning led him. Next came establishing the labs for all stages of mushroom growth, including setting up the fruiting room and all the correct conditions for the mycelium to thrive, like humidity. Finally, marketing and selling the product, which started in April. Through the work he’s done on the property, his established systems, and the mushrooms themselves you can tell Caleb has a thoughtful vision for Understory Mushrooms.
Building out the space
The Understory of Systems and Sustainability within the Farm
There are several types of mushrooms in the fruiting room (the step where mushrooms bloom), in the inoculation bags (when the mycelium develops throughout the soy and wood growing medium before fruiting), and even more spores in the liquid cultures (where the fungi start to be added to the growing medium). Caleb is continually experimenting with growing new types of mushrooms, the latest being Chaga, and adapting to the challenges that come with this. His favorite to grow, and consistently available variety, is Lion’s Mane, a mushroom with impressive cognitive benefits. You can find classics like shiitake, reishi, turkey tail, and others through the Food Hub and from Caleb at markets, such as Bayview.
In his practices, Caleb tries to center community and knowledge sharing. He likened it to being more like mycelium—forging bonds and networks! When he was beginning this journey back in his Colorado apartment he relied on these principles. Understory has visions of teaching others how to grow their own mushrooms. He holds sustainability close, highlighting that mushroom farming is not water intensive and his main output in the plastic inoculation bags he hopes to phase out over time. He hopes to phase plastic out by growing to support the use of biodegradable bags suitable for mycelium growth or even cultivating plastic-eating mycelium to have his own plastic composting system. Understory centers longevity, stewardship, and tool building every step of the way.
How has the Food Hub impacted your operation?
At the time of the interview, Understory was entering its third week on the Food Hub. Caleb appreciates the diversified market this has provided through an online space. He values the established market channel WIGC provides and getting his mushrooms into more hands. In his time since he began selling, he has enjoyed connecting with consumers and meeting folks—getting to talk mycelium on a deeper level. You can find Understory Mushrooms on the Food Hub and at Bayview Farmer’s Market.
FUN FACTS
Favorite place on the island:
Caleb likes to take solace in the amphitheater off Smugglers Cove Road at South Whidbey State Park. He also enjoys spending time in Langley.
Favorite musical artist:
Nordic-Rock artists such as Dan Heim, Heilung, and Wardruna because the non-English lyrics allow Caleb to focus on writing while he listens.
Hobbies outside of farming/producing:
Outside of growing mushrooms—Caleb likes to write, work on his novel, hike, cook, and on hot days, “collapse in the shade”.
Favorite thing to cook or bake:
Using his mushrooms, he likes to make crab cakes and steaks from lion’s mane or use a host of Understory Mushrooms in Thai dishes.
Coming Soon
Caleb has a strong vision for the future of Understory Mushrooms. On top of teaching others how to grow mycelium, he wants to expand into tinctures and powders. He also hopes to expand into grocery stores one day. Three months into sales, Understory has paved its path and developed channels, we are excited to see what more is to come!
Want to learn more? Check out the links below!
https://www.understorymushrooms.com
https://www.instagram.com/understory_mushrooms/
Producer Feature by Katie Olsen
Marketing at the Bayview Farmer’s Market
