Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers two-hour classes for anyone interested in being certified to sell morel and oyster mushrooms within the state of Iowa. The workshops are held every year during the spring on the Iowa State campus.
To legally sell morel and oyster mushrooms in Iowa, sellers must complete a certification workshop that covers identifying true morels and distinguishing them from false morels.
In 2020, oyster mushrooms were added to the training but unfortunately, the pandemic mitigation effort restricted in-person classes. no current option exists to be certified to sell oyster mushrooms.
People can be poisoned by eating misidentified mushrooms. By the end of the workshops, participants will recognize true morels from false morels.
Iowans who have not been certified for three or more years much recertify this year. Registration is open to out-of-state individuals that hunt and sell in Iowa, but keep in mind local certification may be required to sell in your home state.
Training for 2020
Due to the coronavirus pandemic around the globe, and out of an abundance of caution, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has decided to cancel the morel and oyster mushroom certification workshops scheduled for March 21 and April 4.
RECERTIFICATION for morel mushrooms only offered April 4st and 11th, 2020.
Check this page in May for information about any potential mushroom training that may be offered in the future.
Rulings
See page 3 pertaining mushrooms: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/rule/10-23-2019.481.31.1.pdf
see page 2 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/aco/arc/4923C.pdf
Consumer advisory as in the ruling:
“Furthermore, a consumer advisory shall inform consumers by brochures, deli case or menu advisories, label statements, table tents, placards, or other effective written means that wild-harvested mushrooms should be thoroughly cooked and may cause allergic reactions or other effects.”
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