The Fungal Frontier - Howard Berk - Taking Flight: EO Atlanta Podcast - Episode # 026

Today’s guest is a sustainable and benevolent small business owner! He has been named by the state of Georgia as a 2023 Small Business ROCK STAR and has made a huge impact on the local community, economy, and environment. Please welcome Howard Berk, President & Co-Founder at Ellijay Mushrooms and Co-Owner at 2funguys. Howard joins host Sarah Tourville to share his new journey in the agricultural field. Learn with Sarah about his business, partnerships, and all things mushrooms!Takeaways: A good foundation starts with people believing in you. It is valuable to surround yourself with people who have the same work ethic and to confide in people who give you the tools to succeed. The relationships should be uplifting, not discouraging.  Reply to emails regardless of who you are or where you're based. If you know someone in the industry, share their contact. Though no promises are made, sharing a contact can be impactful, especially when faced with unanswered emails. Persist in finding someone to engage with. When growing something fresh, a major challenge is the limited shelf life. From harvest to spoilage, time is constantly ticking. As supply increases, you must secure pathways for distribution to continue expanding and identifying more high-volume sales outlets.  Mushrooms usually contain 92% moisture. In Atlanta, the ideal weather pattern for their growth involves warm days, cool nights, and rain, triggering their fruiting. The mycelium is always present, and these conditions bring forth their magic. It is essential to be cautious when foraging, as distinguishing edible from toxic varieties is crucial. Currently, Ellijay Mushrooms lacks the necessary tools to precisely control temperatures. By investing in a 40-foot smart container, it is set to elevate its capabilities as it can grow 26 different types of mushrooms at one time. This will enable product diversification and improved growth timing. Having a 40-foot smart container on display in a hotel is a vision that Ellijay Mushrooms has. This container holds potential for food-deprived areas running on solar panels. With its Wi-Fi connectivity, it will be sure to cultivate exceptional produce for the local community.  Ellijay Mushrooms focuses on providing nutritious food, dispelling misconceptions about mushrooms, and raising awareness about their farm to educate people about food origins and the effort behind it. This approach leads to broader partnerships, even with larger retailers or chains that share similar values. Quote of the Show:“Time is special. If we use it to gain knowledge, then that's a huge win for everybody.” - Howard BerkLinks: Howard Berk’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardberk-mushrooms/   Ellijay Mushrooms’s Website: https://www.ellijaymushrooms.com/  2funguys’s Website: https://2funguys.com/  Ellijay Mushrooms’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/ellijaymushroom  Entrepreneurs Organization: https://www.eoatlanta.com/  Ways To Tune In: Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1035225  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/....4e67LgZSZ0Vc2anrFzN8 Apple Podcast: