THEME: Visible & Invisible Fungi - Growing Mushrooms and Soil Together”
WHEN: Saturday, November 15, 2025, 11 - 2 p.m.
WHERE: Hope Full Farm in Dripping Springs
COST: $35 Donation
Join our friends from the Hope Full Farms for a fun day at the farm to learn about the invisible and visible fungi that build our soil and help our plants thrive.
Join us for Fall Fungi Farm Fest, a one-day immersive outdoor event celebrating the vital roles fungi play—both above and below the surface. Held on the beautiful land of Hope Full Farm, this educational gathering explores the intersection of soil health, food cultivation, and fungal ecology.
Participants will learn how mushrooms and native fungi contribute to drought resilience, biodiversity, soil regeneration, and sustainable growing practices. Whether you're a seasoned grower or simply fungi-curious, this fest is designed to deepen your relationship with the fungal kingdom while connecting with community.
🎯 Event Goals
Illuminate fungi’s ecological roles, from compost piles to root zones
Provide hands-on experience with mushroom cultivation and native mycorrhizal fungi
Build fungal literacy within a community of regenerative growers and educators
Strengthen partnerships between CTMS and Hope Full Farm
👥 Who It's For
Home gardeners & mushroom growers
Permaculturists & regenerative ag practitioners
Educators & outdoor learning facilitators
Nature-loving families & teens
Mycology enthusiasts of all experience levels
Supporters of Hope Full Farm and CTMS
📅 Event Schedule
11:00 AM – Welcome & Introduction
11:15 AM – Part I: Visible Fungi & Soil Health
How saprophytic fungi build soil
Mushroom log inoculation demo
Building mushroom beds with upcycled blocks
Bucket-tek demo
Guided discussion: Soil as a fungal ecosystem
12:45 PM – Break: Mushroom & Veggie Bites
1:30 PM – Part II: Invisible Fungi & Plant Symbiosis
Intro to mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi
Why native plants rely on underground fungi
DIY demo: Propagating native mycorrhizal fungi
Group Q&A and closing reflection
3:00 PM – Wrap-Up & Optional Farm Walk
Reconnect, share stories, and stroll through Hope Full Farm
🎓 What You’ll Take Home
Skills to grow gourmet mushrooms with low-tech methods
Deeper understanding of fungi’s ecological roles
Hands-on practice with log inoculation, bucket-tek, and fungal propagation
Networking with fellow growers, educators, and enthusiasts
A print outs with DIY guides and fungal ecology resources
This event will take place outdoors, with access to indoor barn and greenhouse space in case of rain.
Spaces may be limited—RSVP coming soon! 🍄
About the Educators
Angel Schatz grew up in Missouri with ten siblings, and the first mushroom I ever learned was fittingly the Destroying Angel. It was my introduction to how powerful and mysterious fungi can be. Before CTMS, I worked as an experience designer and animator in the tech world but eventually, I left that world to plug into a very different kind of network: the earth’s internet, mycelium. Now I’m a forager, urban gardener, and mycology educator. Through CTMS, I get to share my passion for the ecosystems of Central Texas and help people connect to the fungal kingdom in ways that are joyful, practical, and community-powered. Whether we’re growing mushrooms from recycled blocks or helping trees survive drought through mycorrhizal fungi—we’re building soil and solidarity.
Louis Keller is the Healthy Soils, Healthy Trees soil expert. In this role, he helps educate the community about the importance of fungal rich soils in supporting thriving tree populations amidst drought and increasing heat. Outside of this role, Louis is a passionate soil microscopist. He assesses soils using the principles of the soil food web, a framework that examines complex interactions between the different soil microbial trophic levels.