AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer a pair of training classes for anyone interested in being certified to sell morel mushrooms legally within the state of Iowa.
To legally sell morel mushrooms in Iowa, the seller must complete a certification workshop that covers identifying morels and false morels. False morels can be poisonous to humans.
Certification to sell morel mushrooms is good for three years, so any Iowan who has not completed the certification training in the last three years must re-certify this year. Registration is open to out-of-state individuals, but keep in mind local certification may be available in their home state.
The training courses will be held on the Iowa State campus on March 30 and April 6, with each session running from 2-5 p.m. Attendees need to choose just one of the course dates, with both classes held in room 1302 of the new Advanced Teaching and Research Building (2213 Pammel Drive). Please arrive by 1:45 p.m. as class starts promptly at 2 p.m.
To reserve a seat, register online at http://bit.ly/MorelWorkshop19. Registration is $50 per person. The registration deadline is March 26, and pre-registration is important to ensure adequate materials are available. If you are experiencing difficulty with the online registration process, please contact Registration Services at registrations@iastate.edu.
Each workshop session will include a pre-training identification test, presentations on recognizing morels and false morels, and examination of preserved morels and false morels and a post-training certification test (re-testing will be available as needed).
Everyone who completes the training will receive both a wallet-sized training certificate and a larger certificate suitable for framing and display. For more information visit the morel certification website at www.ipm.iastate.edu/morel-mushroom-certification.
Free parking is available near the Advanced Teaching and Research Building in Lot 35 on the west side of Stange Road. See the campus map for additional information.