Agroforestry & Forest Mushroom Production
Integrating edible mushroom production into woodlands and agroforestry, from log cultivation to truffle orchards and wild harvest management.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Agroforestry & Forest Mushroom Production
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Ecology & Regenerative Agriculture. 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)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
Woodlands and agroforestry systems can produce valuable edible mushrooms alongside timber, fruit or livestock. This course shows how to integrate mushroom production into these landscapes, starting with the ecological logic of growing fungi under trees. It covers log and stump cultivation of shiitake and oyster mushrooms, woodland beds of wine cap, and the establishment of truffle orchards with certified mycorrhizal seedlings. A dedicated module addresses the sustainable management of wild edible mushroom harvests, including access, permits and monitoring.
Farm diversification, interest in local food and the search for income from small woodlands are all driving demand for these skills. The course suits woodland owners, farmers and agroforesters who want to evaluate realistic options before investing time and money. The final module examines economics, markets and sustainability, helping students weigh labour, waiting periods and risk. For the final project, students design a mushroom component for a specific woodland or agroforestry site, choosing species and methods, scheduling the work and outlining expected costs and sales channels.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in ecology, useful in areas such as agroforestry and woodland management, specialty mushroom production, rural tourism and local food, forestry and land administration.
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:
Integrating edible mushroom production into woodlands and agroforestry, from log cultivation to truffle orchards and wild harvest management.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Mushrooms in Agroforestry Systems; Log and Stump Cultivation of Shiitake and Oyster.
- Put them into practice: Woodland Beds and Wine Cap Production; Truffle Orchards and Mycorrhizal Seedlings.
- Apply everything to a real case: Managing Wild Edible Mushroom Harvests; Economics, Markets and Sustainability.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Assess a woodland or agroforestry site for mushroom production potential.
- Inoculate and manage shiitake and oyster logs through to fruiting.
- Establish and maintain wine cap beds on wood chip substrate.
- Explain the requirements and timescales of truffle orchard establishment.
- Plan sustainable wild mushroom harvesting within legal and ecological limits.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Woodland owners, farmers and agroforesters.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior experience of mushroom growing is required. Access to a woodland, orchard or farm site is useful but not essential.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Woodland owner running a mushroom enterprise
- Agroforestry farm manager
- Truffle orchard grower
- Adviser on farm and woodland diversification
- Coordinator of wild mushroom harvest schemes
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Mushrooms in Agroforestry Systems | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Log and Stump Cultivation of Shiitake and Oyster | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Woodland Beds and Wine Cap Production | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Truffle Orchards and Mycorrhizal Seedlings | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Managing Wild Edible Mushroom Harvests | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Economics, Markets and Sustainability | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
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.
- Ecological basis of mushrooms under trees
- Silvopastoral and alley cropping options
- Site assessment for forest mushrooms
- Selecting and cutting suitable logs
- Inoculation with plug and sawdust spawn
- Laying yards, soaking and fruiting
- Wood chip bed construction
- Wine cap spawn and bed care
- Harvesting and bed renewal
- Truffle species and site requirements
- Sourcing certified mycorrhizal seedlings
- Orchard establishment and early care
- Ecology of wild edible species
- Permits, access and harvest rules
- Monitoring harvest pressure
- Costs, labour and time to first harvest
- Sales channels and pricing approaches
- Environmental and social sustainability
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
A mushroom production plan for a specific woodland or agroforestry site, with species, methods, schedule and market outline.
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 tutor 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 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Assessment is based on participation in live sessions, practical planning exercises in each module and a final site design reviewed by the tutor.
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 tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Ecology school 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 tutor for 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. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in 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
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
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.
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 Agroforestry & Forest Mushroom Production?
No prior experience of mushroom growing is required. Access to a woodland, orchard or farm site is useful but not essential.
How is Agroforestry & Forest Mushroom Production taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Assessment is based on participation in live sessions, practical planning exercises in each module and a final site design reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A mushroom production plan for a specific woodland or agroforestry site, with species, methods, schedule and market outline.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Agroforestry & Forest Mushroom Production?
The natural next step is Diploma in Mycorrhizal Agriculture.
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.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Keep branching.
From our species guide.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).