Making mushroom kits

Sister Marie Kopin assisted the West Michigan Mushroom Hunters Club members in their first “Fungus Fest West” at the Hoffmaster State Park. Tim Coddington did a great job organizing this event. One feature was the making of mushroom kits using sterilized straw mixed with a “starter;” this “substrate” was then stuffed into plastic bags which were then tied shut and the plastic was punched so the oyster mushrooms could grow through them later. The event was 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with 25 attending along with notable guest educator and YouTube producer from Western Pennsylvania, Adam Haritan, leading 3 groups for field experiences and an educational lecture by him. Click here to watch Adam present. We also had guest Dr. Chris Wright from Michigan State University who first gave a talk and led the fun of making oyster mushroom growing kits to take home.

“We are not God. The earth was here before us and it has been given to us… Although it is true that we Christians have at times incorrectly interpreted the Scriptures, nowadays we must forcefully reject the notion that our being created in God’s image and given dominion over the earth justifies absolute domination over other creatures.

The biblical texts are to be read in their context, with an appropriate hermeneutic, recognizing that they tell us to ‘till and keep’ the garden of the world (cf. Gen 2:15). ’Tilling’ refers to cultivating, ploughing or working, while ‘keeping’ means caring, protecting, overseeing and preserving. This implies a relationship of mutual responsibility between human beings and nature. Each community can take from the bounty of the earth whatever it needs for subsistence, but it also has the duty to protect the earth and to ensure its fruitfulness for coming generations” (#67) – Pope Francis, Laudato Si. Source: Summary Global Catholic Climate Movement.

By Sister Marie Kopin, CPPS

Assembly Directive: Act responsibly in the use and care of our planet’s resources.

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