GUEST SPEAKER: Dr. Venkatesh Balan
WHEN: Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 7 PM CST
WHERE: Online
COST: Free with Registration (Donations Accepted)
Thinking about launching a small mushroom farm—or scaling up your growing setup with climate control? Join us for an eye-opening talk with Dr. Venkatesh Balan as he explores the economics of mushroom cultivation in shipping containers.
Dr. Balan’s research breaks down the capital and operational costs (CAPEX/OPEX), as well as the return on investment (ROI), for small-scale container farms producing 50–500 lbs/day. From oyster and maitake to high-value species like enoki, cordyceps, and morel, you’ll learn how variety and scale can make or break profitability—and what tech you really need.
This is a great session for growers, food entrepreneurs, and DIYers curious about year-round production, sustainability, and farming innovation.
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ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Venkatesh Balan is an associate professor at the University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering. He researches sustainable biomass conversion, edible mushroom production, and bioprocess innovation. With over 192 publications, 9 patents, and 17,700+ citations, he brings a global perspective to the future of fungi. Dr. Balan is also a USDA E. Kika De La Garza Fellow and recipient of the Advanced Materials Award from IAMM Sweden.