"Mycologic is a new option in the CEA marketplace that empowers farmers to profitably grow 23 varieties of specialty mushrooms at commercial scale. We will make premium varieties such as Shiitake, Oyster, Lions Mane, and Reishi cheap to grow on a widespread basis. Our test farms have increased yields by up to 30 percent and seen a five-day increase in shelf-life with mushrooms grown in our modules," says Luc Lalire, CEO of MycoLogic.
Luc Lalire
MycoLogic provides unique proprietary farm solutions for indoor mushroom production that enable growers to tailor their cultivation strategy to each species and to meet the needs of the target market. MycoLogic's cultivation units are equipped with a labor-saving, semi-automated hardware and software package that allows culinary or nutraceutical growers to track and adjust cultivation conditions to maximize growth.
The company was founded in 2021 based on years of research at the Kennesaw State University's BioInnovation Laboratory in Atlanta, Georgia. The founders, both microbiologists, focused on combining well-engineered system design with the complex biological needs of each species. And as Luc explains, the demand for mushrooms is growing. While button mushrooms dominate the market, interest in specialty varieties such as Oyster, Lion's Mane, Reishi, and Cordyceps mushrooms is at an all-time high and continues to grow.
Short supply chains ideal for fresh mushrooms
While row crops can be produced in major hubs and shipped around the world, the delicate nature of mushrooms favors decentralized production closer to the point of consumption. As Luc explains, there is a strong opportunity for increasing mushroom quality and quantity while reducing shipping wastage by building networks of local, smaller mushroom farms that are close to markets. Low energy costs and high price per pound increase specialty mushroom farms' profitability compared to leafy greens.
Mushroom production has an extra benefit; it stimulates the valorization of agricultural by-products as a growth substrate. "Reusing agricultural by-products Is a huge interest of ours, and we are working with a variety of materials to test the best combinations," says Luc. "Because mushrooms are decomposers, they require a significant volume of substrate to grow and fruit. By reusing waste such as sawdust and soybean hulls, mushroom production can reduce the wastage of these products while giving farmers a new revenue stream."
Commercial launch
MycoLogic's turnkey product includes production chambers (either a container farm or indoor grow tent), all hardware, software, and training. MycoLogic's system will be launched in North America in Q1 2024. The company then plans to tap into the European market.
For more information:
Luc Lalire, CEO
MycoLogic
[email protected]
https://mycologic.solutions