UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. — From the polypores forming on the trees to the white caps emerging from the ground, mushrooms and other fungi abound around Penn State.
The Blooms and Shrooms Club, in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, dedicated its last meeting to identifying species of fungi on tree trunks and fallen logs and in soil across campus. They successfully identified stinkhorns, false turkey-tail and oyster mushrooms, among many others, and stayed out until sunset.
Since its founding in 2016, the Blooms and Shrooms Club has organized a wide variety of fun, engaging activities designed to educate members and the public about the plants, plant diseases, mushrooms and fungi that populate the natural world.
According to President Clara Miller, besides foraging around campus, the club has hosted shiitake log workshops in the Mushroom Research Center at Penn State, educated local school children on insect-borne fungal pathogens at the college's Great Insect Fair, and, most recently, hosted an informational table for a State Theatre screening of “Fantastic Fungi,” a film exploring the fungal kingdom of life.
“A lot of our members have diverse interests,” said Miller, a senior majoring in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies and minoring in plant pathology. “Some people are super interested in plant pathology and microbial genetics, and some are hobbyists. We try to tailor it so that there is something for everyone.”
In addition to its activities in engagement and education, the Blooms and Shrooms Club gives members the opportunity to develop professionally. In particular, the club provides a direct pipeline for students to join labs in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology.
“We have a 100% placement rate,” said plant sciences major Laine Hackenberg, the club’s treasurer. “If you want to work in a lab within the department, we can help.”
The club also hosts faculty and graduate guest speakers, visits labs, and connects members to other research and internship opportunities.
“The students have direct access to faculty, including the department head,” said club adviser Carolee Bull, professor and head of the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology. “That helps when it is time for letters of recommendation and advice on applications. The members of the club are honing the skills they will use in their future careers and will go on to achieve their dreams. They also have their own office.”