Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offer three hours classed for anyone interested in being certified
to sell morel mushrooms legally within the state of Iowa. The workshop is held every year during spring on the Iowa State campus.
To legally sell morel mushrooms in Iowa, sellers must complete a certification workshop that covers identifying morels and false morels. People can be poisoned by eating mushrooms that are misidentified as morels. By the end of the workshops, participants will recognize true morels from false morels.
Iowans who have not certified 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 your home state.
Training for 2019 (not scheduled yet)
Workshop Materials and Other Resources (coming soon)
Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals rule (updated 7/5/2017) on morels see numeral 31.1 (4) page 4 view free PDF at IAC 7/5/17 Inspections and Appeals[481] Ch 31, p.1 ... - Iowa.gov
Farmers markets requirements from inspections & appeals food & consumer safety bureau available online at https://dia.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2016/07/basic_requirements_for_farmers_markets.pdf (last updated 2012)
Morels, false morels and other cup fungi, view free PDF at pm1204-1996.pdf- 1996
Morels in Western North America:
US forest service Ecology and management of morels harvested from the forests of western North America, visit
Ecology and Management of Morels Harvested From the Forests to download a free PDF. (last updated 2007)
Food safety resources
Department of Inspections and Appeals page https://dia.iowa.gov/food-consumer-safety/food-safety-resources-and-guidelines
Iowa State University Food safety page https://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/
Marketing resources
Market maker Iowa website at https://ia.foodmarketmaker.com/
DNR News Releases- 50 Tips to Spot Morels
Information on other wild mushrooms (not covered in certification class)
Mushrooms and other related fungi view free PDF at ep129ncr.pdf- last updated 2000 (under revision, check for updates)
Information on Mushroom cultivation
Mushroom: Production vs. Hunting (free PDF handout at mushroom_talk_sfc2018.pdf, provided at the Small farm conference, spring 2018)