Let the Journey Begin

Hi there! I’m Michael — founder and chairman of Shroomate — and this summer, I’m setting out on a 500-mile trek along the Appalachian Trail, from Pennsylvania to Maine. Why? To spread the word (and the spores) about Shroomate’s mission to support the future of mushrooms — one muddy boot print at a time.

Here’s the scoop: North America is home to hundreds of wild edible and medicinal mushroom species — estimates range from 250 to over 500, depending on how you slice (or sauté) it.

Yet, fewer than 50 of these species have been successfully cultivated for home or farm use. Most mushrooms you’ll find in stores come from the same small group — button, shiitake, oyster, lion’s mane. Delicious? Absolutely. Diverse? Not even close.

At Shroomate, we’re not here to revolutionize the mushroom world or be the biggest name in mycology. We simply want to help.

Our mission is to be a supportive arm in the domestication of more wild species — expanding cultivation possibilities while reducing human impact on wild habitats. We believe that the more people can grow these fungi at home or on farms, the less pressure there is on delicate ecosystems where they naturally occur.

That’s where the hike comes in.

This journey isn’t about collecting samples or launching research (that’ll come once our team is established). This trip is about raising awareness — connecting with the trail community, sharing Shroomate’s vision, and documenting wild mushrooms along the way using platforms like iNaturalist. And yes, there will be plenty of mushroom photography — because who doesn’t love a fungi glamor shot?