Cultivation of Morchella (Morels), Patent Number 6,907,691

Press Release

Indiana Inventor Announces Morel Cultivation Patent

Mushroom-Growing Trees Now for Sale

LAFAYETTE, Ind., May 26, 2006 -- One day, the agricultural landscapes of the heartlands could feature more than traditional stalks of corn. Fields of the mushrooms known as morels may soon populate farmland across the country. Or better yet, a tree in your own yard could help you grow the tasty mushrooms.

Stewart C. Miller of Lafayette, Indiana, has patented a process to inoculate trees with the morel mushroom fungus. Under the right conditions and with the proper host, Miller says, anyone can become a morel farmer.

For centuries, morel (Morchella) mushrooms have attracted mushroom lovers because they are delicious, fun to hunt for, and provide a great way for families and friends to spend time together. Yet hunting for mushrooms has its drawbacks: Novice morel hunters need to take particular care in differentiating edible morels from poisonous ones. Miller's invention removes this guesswork. "Once you grow your own morels, you won't have to go hunting or enlist an expert to spot poisonous mushrooms," Miller comments.

Miller, who studied biology at Ball State University, became an avid morel mushroom hunter as a child. He began his research on growing morels while teaching biology in 1972. In May 1992, he made his big discovery, writing in his journal, "It's a simple symbiotic pact between the fungus and the tree!"

However, it took ten years to prove his theory. Using a high-tech microscopic camera, he photographed the morel fungus entering the root of an ash tree. He then inoculated elm trees with the fungus and successfully cultivated morels. Miller filed for his patent in 2002. Finally, in June 2005, Miller received "Cultivation of Morchella (Morels), Patent Number 6,907,691."

Morels, which look like sponges, prefer to live in other plants. The host plants grow faster and healthier with the fungus in their roots, and the mushrooms thrive in the moisture and warmth of the host. The magic occurs when the process of "symbiotic disruption" takes place: The tree begins to die and signals the fungus inside to withdraw and form hardened nodules underground.

"The death of the tree sends the morel fungus packing," states Miller. "In spring, the nodules swell with water and pop into big yellow mushrooms above ground. I envision bright fields of mushrooms across the country."

Those interested in raising the mushroom delicacy, the harvest season of which falls between March and June depending on climate and region, can order inoculated trees via http://www.Morel-Farms.com. Miller provides detailed instructions to ensure success.

Contact:

Stewart C. Miller
Morel-Farms.com LLC
Stewart@SCMiller.com
1-800-552-6550, ext. 224
http://www.morel-farms.com