8 down 24, 920 to go...

Shiitake Happens had it's first sale today! The talented Chef Melba has graciously been our first customer. "I know quality mushrooms when I see them," she said kindly.

Go down to Chef Melba's Bistro on the corner 15th st and Hermosa Ave to support two local businesses and feast on some excellent California Cuisine.

Check Out These Beauties, Eh.

We have our first crop of oyster mushrooms.

I have delivered samples all around town, and the reception has been huge. Local resturaunts have already placed orders, now all we have to do is get back to growing to make sure we can fill them. No rest for the weary.

We're Farming Now!

Shiitake Happens has turned a corner. Last week we went from an expensive construction project, to an actual farm! We have started growing oyster mushrooms on two types of substrate, or mushroom soil. Very exciting stuff (sweet Jesus I am such a nerd.)

Nothing says "farming" like a pitchfork.

Meet The Crew

I would like to introduce two people who have been working diligently to get Shiitake Happens off the ground. This is Marco and his son Marcito, two of the hardest working hombres you'll ever meet.

These two journeymen can do it all, concrete, masonry, you name it. Marco says he's even a master tailor. So if you need some brick work done, or want to look like a million bucks, give em' a ring.

Mushrooms Shmushrooms

At the risk of sounding like a hippy, this a pretty trippy time lapse video of mushrooms in their natural element.



Here is the link to Mushroom Madness!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvTvaxVySlE


Purple, your aura is purple man....

Breaking New Ground

Today, after several months of research and hard work, Shiitake Happens broke ground on our little urban farm. Very exciting stuff!

We, or more accurately Ronny, started the demolition of a shipping container to transform it into our fruiting house. With my broken ankle, torn tendons and ligaments I sat this one out, and uh, managed. Like most managers who sit by and watch others do all the work, I was pretty useless.

Ronny removed all of the wood 2x4's that lined the walls, because they are a great hiding place for competing mold and fungus. Next we'll remove the wooden flooring and the door, and replace them with water and mold resistant materials.

We're learning as we go, but at least we're going....

Check back with us weekly for updates.