Community for a Sustainable World (CSW)

Last year we partnered with mushroom expert, Danielle Stevenson, to introduce mushroom cultivation to the Botshabelo community. Our introduction of fungi to the community included three major parts;

​

1. Infrastructure and construction;

2. Mushroom education and skills training required for community members to maintain a healthy mushroom cultivation operation;

3. Providing the equipment and tools required to operate a sustainable mushroom growing operation

​

We specifically introduced oyster mushrooms which are full of protein, vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, and have immune modulating properties. Oysters are very easy to grow and prolific once established, thus making them the perfect type of mushrooms to launch Botshabelo’s mushroomm growing operation.

​

This year we'll be supporting the ongoing Mushrom Project in three major ways:

​

1. Elevate and maintain their existing production and infrastructure

2. Design a sustainable and profitable business plan that can be implemented by the community as a source of income

3. Continue to purchase the oyster mushroom spawn until the community is able to manage inoculation and/or purchase their own spawn. 

​

Challenges and Triumphs

The first few months surfaced many challenges, from finding the right materials to grow the mushrooms on, mold, and maintaining growing conditions/temperatures. But embracing every experience as a learning experience, the community faced these challenges head on. Early this year, the community dialed in their growing process and, it's been more fruitful than we ever imagined. They discovered that their ideal substrate is straw, which they've successfully sourced locally. They also established relationships with local fungi growers and enthusiasts. This little growing network shared many tips and tricks that would jump start  Botshabelo's mushroom production.

 

We initially estimated that their production would proliferate for about 8-10 weeks. However, to our surprise, they are proliferating continuously for about 14 weeks. This means they are fruiting more mushrooms than we anticipated; which a major reason for celebration!  Check out some of the photos from their recent harvests.