Myco-Operative
About Us
My name is Courtney Osborn, and I am the founder of Myco-Op, a fungal research and development laboratory based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Myco-Op specializes in consulting for mushroom farms, with a focus on liquid-state fermentation systems, production optimization, and applied fungal research.
My work centers on the cultivation and propagation of specialty and hard-to-grow fungi, as well as the development of scalable, science-driven cultivation strategies. Alongside commercial consulting, I am a native species steward, committed to the responsible study, preservation, and ethical use of regionally adapted fungi.
Myco-Op is an LLC operating as a community-driven organization, rooted in education, collaboration, and shared knowledge. We support growers at every level by providing guidance, resources, and technical insight that empower people to cultivate fungi thoughtfully, whether at home or at scale. From first-time cultivators to experienced producers, Myco-Op exists to advance mycology through stewardship, innovation, and shared learning.
Myco- Op History
My work in commercial mushroom cultivation began in the Upper Harbor Industrial Area of North Minneapolis, where I spent nearly four years refining my skills as part of the Mississippi Mushrooms production team. This period laid a strong foundation in large-scale cultivation, operational consistency, and production workflow.
Following the lockdown period, I transitioned into a new phase of experimentation and growth at New Hope Farmacy in New Hope, Minnesota. The facility was equipped with a 36-foot retort for bulk pasteurization and twenty environmentally controlled grow rooms, providing an ideal environment for applied research and systems testing. Over several productive years with the New Hope Farmacy team, my work extended beyond cultivation into process refinement, education, and community collaboration, strengthening both technical capacity and local relationships.
In 2022, I joined a venture with Forest to Fork, where access to new technologies supported deeper exploration of commercial-scale cultivation systems. This collaboration focused on environmental grow room design, custom equipment development, and automation, with the goal of reducing labor bottlenecks and improving production efficiency through engineered solutions.
After just over a year with Forest to Fork, I made the decision in May 2023 to fully dedicate my efforts to Myco-Op. This transition marked the consolidation of years of hands-on experience across production, systems design, and applied research. Throughout this journey, collaboration has remained central both in cultivating fungi and in cultivating shared knowledge within the broader mycology community.
At Myco-Op, collaboration is not a tagline but a working principle. We engage closely with skilled cultivators across the United States, contributing to a culture of technical exchange, experimentation, and stewardship. The work is driven by a commitment to thoughtful cultivation practices, innovation grounded in biology, and expanding access to high-quality mycological knowledge.
Research & Development
Research & Development
Fistulina Hepatica
Our recent work has included the cultivation of Fistulina hepatica (Beefsteak Fungus), with the image on the far right illustrating four distinct stages of development from early growth through maturity. In parallel, we continue to cultivate and study a range of locally adapted fungal genetics, including Lentinus levis, Laetiporus sulphureus, and Artomyces pyxidatus, each selected for their ecological relevance and unique growth characteristics.
This work is centered on the preservation, refinement, and long-term stewardship of fungal genetics, with an emphasis on native species that thrive in Minnesota’s regional environments. By maintaining these cultures through controlled propagation and careful observation, we aim to support future cultivation, research, and ecological understanding of native and specialty fungi.
Artomyces Pyxidatus
Laetiporus Sulphureus
Lentinus Levis
Myco-Op Offerings
Myco-Op is pleased to offer a comprehensive range of growing supplies and services for mushroom cultivation. Whether you are an enthusiastic beginner or a seasoned cultivator, we are here to support your work at every stage. Our offerings include verified genetics, sterilized grain, pasteurized and sterilized substrates, bioreactors, consultations, and pre-poured Petri plates, all designed to save you time, reduce variables, and streamline your cultivation process.
Liquid Fermentation–Driven Approach
At Myco-Op, our cultivation and consulting practices emphasize liquid-state fermentation as a foundational tool for scalable, consistent, and efficient fungal production. By prioritizing liquid fermentation workflows, we help growers improve inoculation uniformity, reduce labor bottlenecks, and optimize downstream substrate performance. This approach allows for greater control over growth parameters while supporting both small-scale experimentation and commercial production systems.
If you would like to learn more about our offerings or have specific questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to provide the knowledge, technical support, and high-quality materials you need to move forward with confidence in your mushroom cultivation journey.
