Today we’d like to introduce you to Josiah Patterson.
Hi Josiah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My fascination with the world of fungi began in 2017 after hearing a podcast featuring Paul Stamets. Paul spoke about the neurological benefits of a mushroom called Lion’s Mane. I started ordering Lion’s Mane products from different companies but quickly decided to make my own. I purchased two grow kits and have yet to stop growing mushrooms since. In 2019, I decided to start a mushroom farm and began planning. In March of 2020, two things happened that changed my life forever. My wife and I discovered we were expecting our first child, and then Covid-19 began spreading across the US. Suddenly finding ourselves more time, we kicked the plan into high gear. My wife and I both worked, so the goal was to replace my job with the mushroom farm, allowing me to stay home with our daughter. Eventually, I sold my motorcycle and used the money to build my first laboratory and grow room in the basement of our house. We attended our first farmers’ market in Oak Ridge in May of 2021, and it sold out in less than two hours! I began to grow more and more mushrooms. We started attending other farmer’s markets and wholesaling to local restaurants, and before long, we got to a point where my wife could quit her job, and we went all in on mushrooms. We have recently expanded out of our basement to a new location in Campbell County, where we hope to grow 700-900 pounds of mushrooms a week, which we distribute to local restaurants, grocery stores, and farmers’ markets.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
A smooth road doesn’t exist regarding farming, but that may be why it attracts a particular kind of person. While the failures can be crushing, overcoming the challenges of operating a mushroom farm and running a small business is more rewarding than any job I’ve ever had. I have faced contamination that had me throwing away thousands of dollars worth of mushroom blocks, countless equipment failures, learning new skills that were way outside my comfort zone, and even an unfriendly neighbor who tried to shut my business down by the county. Each of these setbacks has proven to be an opportunity for growth, ultimately making me a better farmer and business owner.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Extraterrestrial Fungi is a gourmet mushroom farm specializing in exotic mushroom species. We grow lion’s mane, black pearls, chestnuts, black poplars, several varieties of oysters, and more – all grown using organic materials. We also use these mushrooms to make various products, such as functional mushroom tinctures, mushroom jerky, spice blends, dried mushrooms, and hot cocoa. We are looking to get even more involved in our community in the future by hosting cultivation workshops, forays, and, of course, more mushroom festivals!
How do you think about luck?
Since starting ET Fungi, I have had many things happen that could be considered lucky or unlucky, and those experiences have brought me to understand luck as a matter of perspective. For much of my life, I spent too much time focusing on what I didn’t have, what went wrong, and all the negative stuff. And to no surprise, during this time, I felt very unlucky. My time working with fungi (and having children) has helped refocus my perspective. I resonate with the phrase “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity” and, by extension, the idea that you can create your luck. At Extraterrestrial Fungi, we focus on and feel deeply grateful for our successes, especially when they feel lucky. As frustrating and inconvenient as those bad luck situations can be, we do our best to view them as growth opportunities. The more we can do this, the more opportunities flow; we feel fortunate.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.etfungi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/extraterrestrialfungi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExtraterrestrialFungi
Image Credits
Erin Patterson, Josiah Patterson
