Button Mushroom Compost & Casing: Online Course — Photo: Mbdfar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

CourseEstablished

Button Mushroom Production: Compost & Casing

Learn the compost phases, casing materials and climate steering behind commercial Agaricus bisporus production.

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Level

Course

Modules

Duration

2–3 months

Format

Live online

Certificate

Course Certificate

Language

English EN

School

Cultivation

Programme identification

1.1Programme name: Button Mushroom Production: Compost & Casing
1.2Type of qualification: Course
1.3Provider / endorsing institution: Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Mushroom Cultivation & Production. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
1.4Mode of study: Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits): 2–3 months · 6 modules. Teaching hours are confirmed in the guide for each intake. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme).
1.6Language: English
1.7Start and end dates / intake: Intakes open throughout the year. Admissions confirms the start and end dates of the next intake. How intakes work →

button mushroom productionagaricus bisporus compostmushroom casing soilchampignon growing coursecommercial button mushrooms

Overview

2.1Programme description

Button Mushroom Production: Compost and Casing explains the process behind Agaricus bisporus, the white and brown mushrooms found in most supermarkets. You will follow the compost through Phase I, Phase II and Phase III, learning how raw materials, water, turning and temperature create a selective substrate. The course covers spawning, casing soil preparation and case running, then the climate steering that triggers pinning and controls the size and quality of each flush, ending with picking, grading and farm hygiene.

Button mushroom production is a highly technical, industrial process, and even experienced staff benefit from understanding why each step matters. Small deviations in compost or climate show up quickly as lower yields or disease. This course suits Agaricus growers, technicians and staff joining a commercial farm. In the final project you analyse a crop cycle, real or provided as a case, identifying how compost quality, casing and climate decisions affected yield and quality, and propose improvements reviewed by your professor.

2.2Why it matters / what need it meets

It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in cultivation, useful in areas such as Commercial Agaricus production, Compost and casing supply, Fresh produce packing, Agricultural technical services.

Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.

Objectives and competences

3.1General objective

To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:

Learn the compost phases, casing materials and climate steering behind commercial Agaricus bisporus production.

3.2Specific objectives

Build the foundations: Agaricus Biology and Strains; Compost Phase I and II.
Put them into practice: Spawning and Phase III Compost; Casing Soil and Case Running.
Apply everything to a real case: Pinning and Climate Steering; Picking, Grading and Hygiene.
Complete a final project reviewed by your professor.

3.3Competences you will gain

Explain the purpose of each compost phase in Agaricus production.
Recognise indicators of good and poor compost quality.
Describe casing materials and correct case running practice.
Steer climate to trigger pinning and manage flushes.
Apply picking, grading and hygiene standards on a commercial farm.

Student profile

4.1Who it is for (entry profile)

Agaricus growers and technicians.

4.2Entry requirements

Basic knowledge of mushroom growing or work experience on a farm is helpful. No specific equipment is required.

4.3Career paths (exit profile)

Grower or room manager on a button mushroom farm
Compost yard technician
Quality and grading supervisor
Technical sales representative for compost or casing suppliers
Trainee farm manager in Agaricus production

Sectors

Commercial Agaricus productionCompost and casing supplyFresh produce packingAgricultural technical services

Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.

Study plan

5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)

Module	Title	Phase	Topics
01	Agaricus Biology and Strains	Foundations	3
02	Compost Phase I and II	Foundations	3
03	Spawning and Phase III Compost	Practice	3
04	Casing Soil and Case Running	Practice	3
05	Pinning and Climate Steering	Application & project	3
06	Picking, Grading and Hygiene	Application & project	3

6 modules · 2–3 months. Each module combines live sessions, campus study and exercises. The hours per module are set out in the guide for each intake.

5.2Content by module

Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.

5.3Company placement

This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.

5.4Final project

An analysis of an Agaricus crop cycle identifying the effect of compost, casing and climate decisions, with proposed improvements.

Methodology

6.1How it is taught

Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
Exercises and real case studies in every module.
Tutoring: your professor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.

6.2Platform and resources

A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.

Technical requirements →

6.3Estimated weekly workload

About 4 to 6 hours a week: the live session plus study and exercises on the campus. Admissions confirms the schedule of each intake.

Assessment

7.1Assessment system and weighting

Students are assessed through participation in live sessions and case-based module exercises. The final project is reviewed by the professor with written feedback.

40%Participation and module exercises

60%Final project

7.2Requirements to pass

Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
Hand in the module exercises.
Have your final project approved by your professor.

Teaching team

8.1Academic direction

The Cultivation at Fungaris coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.

8.2Faculty

Taught by professionals who work in the field. The professor of each intake is confirmed before the start.

Meet our faculty →

Certificate

9.1Certificate awarded

Course Certificate

On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of each country.

9.2Issuing body / recognition

Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.

About our certificates →

Admission and enrolment

10.1Admission process (steps)

Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.

10.2Documents required

A valid identity document.
Contact and billing details (personal or company).

10.3Deadlines

Places are limited for each group. Admissions gives you the enrolment deadline for the next intake.

10.4Fee and payment options

Fee: ask admissions; it is quoted in US dollars (USD).

Full payment before the start, with a 20% reduction.
40% reservation and the rest in monthly instalments during the programme.

Fees and financing →

10.5Grants, discounts and funding

Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them. Admissions tells you about any discount available for your intake.

10.6Cancellation policy

The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.

Cancellation and refunds →

Additional information

11.1Frequently asked questions

Do I need experience to study Button Mushroom Production: Compost & Casing?

Basic knowledge of mushroom growing or work experience on a farm is helpful. No specific equipment is required.

How is Button Mushroom Production: Compost & Casing taught?

Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.

How am I assessed?

Students are assessed through participation in live sessions and case-based module exercises. The final project is reviewed by the professor with written feedback.

What is the final project?

An analysis of an Agaricus crop cycle identifying the effect of compost, casing and climate decisions, with proposed improvements.

What certificate do I get?

On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of each country.

What can I study after Button Mushroom Production: Compost & Casing?

The natural next step is Diploma in Gourmet Mushroom Production.

11.2Alumni testimonials

We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.