PA Preferred® MycoSymbiotics in Cumberland County is redefining permaculture while offering specialty products to the people of Pennsylvania and beyond. It’s a veritable hub of biotech research, agricultural education, and mushroom farming that’s changing the way we think about fungi. Owner William Padilla-Brown gave us a glimpse into the world of MycoSymbiotics and an overview of its fascinating foraged and farmed products.
mushroom extract preparation
As a researcher, consultant, and author, Padilla-Brown’s travels and conversations have spanned the globe. But his love for Pennsylvania persists. “Pennsylvania is low-key the most trendy state,” he says. “We have everything anyone could want: clean food, clean air, clean water. I love being able to associate my brand with the state of PA. As most of my sales are national and international, I feel that being PA Preferred gives consumers an added layer of confidence that my state supports my products.”
Padilla-Brown forages Ganoderma sessile (reishi) in Camp Hill
The online MycoSymbiotics shop is full of tinctures, extracts, dried mushrooms, educational materials and more that Padilla-Brown has developed. He says, “I grow and source the highest quality organic mushrooms and herbs to offer as extract formulas or dry products. We also do herbal and mushroom infusions and offer classes on foraging and farming.”
Among the liquid products are a Mylin Milk made with organic Chester County-grown lion’s mane and algal omega-2 and concentrated extract vials of laboratory grade resin extracts of lion’s mane, turkey tail, cordyceps, maitake, chanterelle, and reishi that Padilla-Brown has grown and foraged. You’ll also find delectable items like Chanterelle Saffron Honey made with wild-foraged PA chanterelles, locally sourced honey and Afghan saffron stigmas as well as dried culinary and medicinal mushrooms for use in teas, broths, dishes and more. Padilla-Brown says that some of the most popular products are the Cordyceps militaris mushrooms and extract, lion’s mane extract, and saffron honey blends.
Padilla-Brown says, “I love being able to live my life in direct access to the land and nature and to translate those benefits into products that people can benefit from and relate to.” Part of his vision is to expand education around overlooked native commodities, with which Pennsylvania is rich. He has spearheaded the growth of Cordyceps militaris and published the first English book about their cultivation in the world. Going forward, he’s excited to open doors into native truffle and indoor saffron cultivation.
turkey tail mushroom extract
Land access has remained a challenge, necessitating that Padilla-Brown pivot and reinvest multiple times. He hopes to see change in this area and to continue operations in his beloved state. “Pennsylvania is my home,” he says. “The spring water is world class and the mountains provide every mushroom I could ever need for research and consumption.”
Find the products of MycoSymbiotics in its online store, available for in-person pickup. Follow along for event announcements, product drops and updates on MycoSymbiotics’ Facebook and Instagram pages. 224 4th St., New Cumberland; (717) 557-3774.
This series was created in collaboration with PA Preferred.
PA Preferred® is Pennsylvania’s statewide branding program that promotes locally grown and processed food and other agricultural products.
- Photos: MycoSymbiotics
