About Erin Hamilton, Owner of Mushroom Conservatory
Erin Hamilton is an educator and mycologist focused on unlocking the potential of fungi to restore ecosystems, feed communities, and build a better future. As the founder of The Mushroom Conservatory – a woman-owned, family-operated farm and education center based in Howell, Michigan – she’s taught thousands of people worldwide how to grow mushrooms using low-tech, high-yield methods.
Erin’s kits and cultures are now carried in over 375 stores across the U.S. and Canada. She also writes for Mother Earth News, GRIT, and The Farmer’s Almanac as one of Mother Earth News’ official Voices for 2024. She serves as the president of the Board of Directors of The Detroit Institute of Gastronomy and the president of Detroit area nonprofit Soil2Service.
About the Mushroom Conservatory
The Mushroom Conservatory is a hub for mushroom education, sustainable growing, and ecological innovation. We believe anyone can grow mushrooms – and everyone should. From beginner grow kits to advanced workshops, our work blends science, tradition, and practical know-how to make fungi approachable and powerful tools for food and healing.
You can find our grow kits in farm stores, garden centers, gift shops, co-ops, and educational spaces across the country – or shop directly through our website. They’re designed to work in any kitchen, closet, or corner of your home.
Our Goals and Vision
- Expand educational outreach to communities around the world
- Promote sustainable mushroom cultivation for food security and resilience
- Lead innovation in mycoremediation and functional mushroom research
- Support everyday growers and citizen scientists with practical, tested tools
About our Hands On Workshops
Our live workshops are designed to get your hands in the mycelium. From substrate preparation to fruiting techniques, we guide participants step-by-step through growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms using methods that work in real homes, gardens, and grow tents. These sessions are packed with insights, troubleshooting tips, and practical tools for growers at every level.
Our Community Engagement
We partner with schools, libraries, and community spaces to make mushroom growing accessible to all. Past events include workshops at the Ann Arbor District Library, The Henry Ford Museum, and Mother Earth News Fairs. Our mission is to empower people of all ages and experience levels to engage with fungi and the ecosystems they support.
Speaking Engagements
Erin is currently available for speaking engagements across the United States. Her sessions are dynamic, practical, and designed to connect science, sustainability, and storytelling. Topics include:
- Growing gourmet mushrooms at home or on the farm
- Functional mushrooms and natural health
- Mycoremediation – healing contaminated soil and water with fungi
- Citizen science and the future of fungal research
Visit our Speaking Engagements page to request Erin as a speaker or learn more about availability.