Who we are

Formed in 1973, The Ohio Mushroom Society has widespread membership mainly in Ohio, but also in several surrounding states. Our goal is to increase our members' appreciation and knowledge of wild mushrooms in an informal, enjoyable manner. Those who wish may go on to acquire an extensive background in mycology, the scientific study of fungi. Our membership ranges from the beginning collector to the professional mycologist and includes several mycophagists (mushroom eaters), photographers, artists, toxicologists, and nature enthusiasts. Anyone with an interest in mushrooms is encouraged to join.

What we do

The purpose of the Ohio Mushroom Society is to promote the understanding and enjoyment of mushrooms and other "higher fungi". We accomplish this in a variety of ways including, but not limited to the following:

• We publish a bimonthly newsletter called "The Mushroom Log" which contains articles about mushrooms as well as news of upcoming mushroom related events both in Ohio and elsewhere.
   
• We maintain this web site which contains information about the club, links to the newsletter and links to other mushroom related sites.
   
• We put together a program each year which includes several morel hunts in the spring, a summer foray, a fall foray, and an annual banquet to close out the season.
   
• We are affiliated with the North American Mycological Association (NAMA), a national organization of amateur mycologists.
   
• We promote the serious study of mushrooms by offering, at our forays, workshops on mushroom collection and identification.
   
• We attempt to answer questions about mushrooms from members and from the general public either by phone or by email. Questions may be directed to one of the volunteers whose phone numbers are listed or to OMS. Email questions will be referred to the most knowledgeable source.

Membership Benefits

Aside from the fun-filled personal interactions and life-long friendships you will for as part of our group, club membership includes all of the following:

• Six issues of our newsletter, The Mushroom Log, which contains a wealth of information including: news items, details on mushroom hunts (forays) in Ohio and across the country, recipes, identification and articles with tips on location, season and habitat.
  
  Editor: Dave Miller, Oberlin College. David.H.Miller@oberlin.edu
   
• Participation in one or two weekend forays and several one day hunts. At our forays, we collect, identify and display as many different kinds of mushrooms as we can find. A good weekend could yield over 300 species. We also have slide programs, educational talks, and the learning experience of socializing with amateur and professional mycologists.
   
• Identification service.
   
• Associate membership discount in the North American Mycological Association (NAMA), a national amateur mushroom organization. Membership is regularly $35.00, but through the club, it is $32.00.

For more information, email Jerry Pepera, or phone him at (440) 354-4774.

To Join: Simply fill out the Membership Application form and mail it along with your membership dues to:

Ohio Mushroom Society
c/o Jerry Pepera
P.O. Box 1075
Chardon, OH 44024