Myco-Operative
About Us
My name is Courtney Osborn. I am the founder of Myco-Op, a fungal research and development laboratory based in the vibrant city of Minneapolis, Minnesota. At Myco-Op, my primary dedication lies in the exploration and cultivation of specialty fungi, coupled with the extraction of functional mushrooms!
With that being said Myco-Op is more than just a supplier of mushroom products. We're a community-driven cooperative, driven by our love for mycology and committed to empowering individuals to cultivate mushrooms in their own homes. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced cultivator, we're here to guide and support you every step of the way.
Myco- Op History
Myco-Op traces its roots back to the closure of Mississippi Mushrooms in the Upper Harbor industrial area of north Minneapolis. For nearly four years, I honed my skills with the Mississippi Mushrooms production team. However, as the pandemic took hold, the fate of Mississippi Mushrooms was sealed, and I found myself at a crossroads.
Emerging from the lockdown, I ventured into a new chapter at a unique facility in New Hope, Minnesota, known as New Hope Farmacy. Equipped with a 36 ft. retort for bulk pasteurization and twenty environmentally controlled grow rooms, New Hope Farmacy provided an ideal environment for experimentation and innovation. Over the course of several fruitful years with the N.H.F. team, I not only cultivated mushrooms but also my relationships within the community, fostering a culture of education and collaboration.
In 2021, I embarked on a new venture with a group called Forest to Fork. This collaboration brought with it a wealth of new technology and opportunities for exploration. Together, we delved into pioneering methods of commercial growing, from designing innovative environmental grow rooms to developing our own unique bioreactors for our production. Automation became a key focus, as we sought to streamline labor-intensive aspects of the cultivation process.
After over a year of collaboration with Forest to Fork team, I made the decision to fully devote myself to Myco-Op in May of 2023. This transition marked the culmination of years of experience and dedication to the craft of mushroom cultivation. Throughout my journey, I've cherished the relationships built within the cultivation community and the wealth of knowledge gained along the way.
At Myco-Op, collaboration is not just a philosophy, it's our essence. We pride ourselves on working closely with some of the most talented cultivators in the United States. Our mission is to make the art of growing mushrooms at home more accessible and enjoyable for enthusiasts of all levels. With a wealth of expertise and a passion for innovation, our team is eager to guide you on your own cultivation journey.
Research & Development
Research & Development
Fistulina Hepatica
Our recent endeavors have led us to delve into the fascinating world of Fistulina Hepatica, commonly known as the Beefsteak Fungus. (Pictured on the far right you can see four distinct growth stages.) In addition to our exploration of the Beefsteak Fungus, we have also been nurturing a diverse range of local Pleurotus and Hericium species, which thrive in the unique Minnesota environment. Our passion lies in not only growing these remarkable fungi but persevering these genetics for future cultivation. After harvesting we sell the fresh mushrooms and with any leftovers, we extract these different mushrooms functional properties to create high-quality supplements to bring to the market. We take pride in our commitment to transparency, ensuring that our customers understand the intricacies of our extraction methods and the extraordinary characteristics that make our mushroom growing process exceptional.
Artomyces Pyxidatus
Laetiporus Sulphureus
Pleurotus Dryinus
Myco-Op Supplements & Products
At Myco-Op, we take a comprehensive approach to quality control. Our functional mushroom supplements are meticulously crafted in-house, using mushrooms cultivated and extracted by our expert team. This gives us more control over consistency and potency for our products. We are currently only using fresh fruiting bodies or freeze-dried fruiting bodies for our supplements.
In addition to our functional mushroom products, Myco-Op is pleased to provide a range of growing supplies for mushroom cultivation. Whether you're an avid enthusiast or a seasoned cultivator we are here to help. We offer genetics, sterilized grain, as well as sterilized and pasteurized substrates, bioreactors, consultations, and pre poured petri’s plates saving you valuable time and energy in your growing endeavors.
If you'd like to learn more about our offerings or have any inquiries, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to provide you with the knowledge, support, and top-notch products you need to embark on your mushroom cultivation journey.
