Digital Twins of Mushroom Farms
Building virtual models of grow rooms that combine sensor data, physics and crop models to test decisions before applying them.
Program identification
- 1.1Program name
- Digital Twins of Mushroom Farms
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Digital Mycology: AI, Genomics & Data. A Fungaris program 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 program, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: January 11, 2027 to April 2, 2027. Enrollment closes on January 4, 2027. Following intake: March 8, 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Program description
Digital Twins of Mushroom Farms explores how virtual models of grow rooms can combine sensor data, physical equations and crop models to test decisions before applying them. You learn what a digital twin is and what it is not, how to integrate data from controllers and sensors, and how to model air movement, heat and moisture. You then add crop growth and yield models for mushrooms and use simulation to compare scenarios and optimize settings.
Digital twins are widely promoted in agriculture, but many are little more than dashboards. Knowing how to judge maturity and validate a model helps farms and agtech companies invest wisely. The course suits agtech engineers and data-driven growers who are comfortable with data and basic programming. For the final project you build a simplified twin of a grow room using supplied or your own data, run at least two management scenarios and assess honestly how well the model matches reality.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in digital mycology, useful in areas such as agricultural technology, commercial mushroom production, controlled environment agriculture, applied engineering research.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This program gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgment and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the program able to apply its content professionally and with judgment. In short:
Building virtual models of grow rooms that combine sensor data, physics and crop models to test decisions before applying them.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: What a digital twin is and is not; Data infrastructure and integration.
- Put them into practice: Physical models of air, heat and moisture; Crop growth and yield models for mushrooms.
- Apply everything to a real case: Simulation, scenario testing and optimization; Validation and maturity of farm twins.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Distinguish genuine digital twins from dashboards and static models.
- Integrate sensor and controller data into a modeling pipeline.
- Build simple physical models of heat, air and moisture in rooms.
- Combine climate and crop models to simulate yield scenarios.
- Validate twin predictions and assess their maturity honestly.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Agtech engineers and data-driven growers.
4.2Entry requirements
Basic programming skills in Python or similar and some familiarity with mushroom cultivation or building climate are expected.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Agtech engineer developing farm modeling tools
- Data scientist in controlled environment agriculture
- Process improvement lead on a commercial mushroom farm
- Consultant on farm digitalization projects
- Research engineer in agricultural systems modeling
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | What a digital twin is and is not | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Data infrastructure and integration | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Physical models of air, heat and moisture | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Crop growth and yield models for mushrooms | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Simulation, scenario testing and optimization | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Validation and maturity of farm twins | 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.
- Definitions and levels of twins
- Twins versus dashboards and simulators
- Use cases in mushroom production
- Data sources on the farm
- Time-series databases and APIs
- Data quality and synchronization
- Heat and mass balances
- Airflow and ventilation models
- Moisture and evaporation from beds
- Mycelial growth and fruiting models
- Linking climate to yield
- Empirical versus mechanistic approaches
- Running what-if scenarios
- Optimizing setpoints and schedules
- Uncertainty in simulations
- Comparing predictions with measurements
- Maturity levels and roadmaps
- Maintaining a twin over time
5.3Company placement
This program does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A simplified digital twin of a grow room with at least two simulated scenarios and a validation against data.
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 instructor 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
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, modeling exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the instructor.
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 instructor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Digital Mycology school coordinates the content and quality of this program. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The instructor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognizes them depends on that organization 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 enrollment
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
Enrollment for the intake starting on January 11, 2027 is open until January 4, 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: $450
- Full payment before the start: $360 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation ($180) and 3 monthly installments of $90.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organization. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the program 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 canceling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrollment 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 Digital Twins of Mushroom Farms?
Basic programming skills in Python or similar and some familiarity with mushroom cultivation or building climate are expected.
How is Digital Twins of Mushroom Farms taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, modeling exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the instructor.
What is the final project?
A simplified digital twin of a grow room with at least two simulated scenarios and a validation against data.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognizes them depends on that organization and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Digital Twins of Mushroom Farms?
The natural next step is Diploma in Fungal Bioinformatics.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This program 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.
Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly installments. All prices are stated in US dollars (USD).