About the Team
Welcome from Festival Founder
Three years ago, our family started Maddie’s Mushrooms Farm because of our belief in the vast potential of mushrooms to create a healthier world. In our increasingly interconnected and changing planet, mushrooms are a powerful source of hope. It seems the benefits of these fascinating fungi only spread as more information becomes available, and more and more people are drawn to their mysterious, magnificent ways.
We started the Olympic Peninsula Fungi Festival to cultivate discovery, connection, and community. We believe that mycology is a topic that should be available and accessible to all, and the more of us who embrace this subject, the better.
Our mission is to increase access to experiential learning about an array of mycology topics, and bring people together in one of the most renowned ecosystems for fungi on Earth—the Olympic Peninsula.
The natural composition of the lands, soils, waters, and weather of this bioregion create exceptional conditions for mushrooms to thrive. Olympic National Park covers nearly one million protected acres and contains at least 1,400 different species of fungi. While it’s only 2 percent of the state’s territory, it accounts for at least 56 percent of its mushroom diversity! The festival hopes to draw locals and visitors from across the country to celebrate, respect, and learn within this unique and spectacular place.
There are many entry points into the field of fungi, each with its own world of wonder. The festival promotes community-building within and across groups, weaving a network of endless connections and possibilities.
This year, we’ve expanded our venue to the Clallam County Fairgrounds in Port Angeles, and will also host events in Sequim. The festival will feature lectures, hands-on workshops, guided forays, mushroom cuisine, and more from local and internationally acclaimed experts. Live music, a vendors’ market, and camping will make for a full three-days of family fun across Clallam County. There are a variety of ticketing options, including a free option.
No matter where you’re at on your journey with mushrooms, we guarantee this festival will inspire something new.
David Rogers
Owner, Maddie’s Mushrooms
Founder, Olympic Peninsula Fungi Festival
Olympic Peninsula Fungi Festival Key Personnel
David Rogers – Executive Director
Neil Conklin – Creative Director
Howard Sprouse – Program Director
Rose Thompson – Production Coordinator
Vanessa Fuller – Dungeness River Nature Center
Tom Locke – Medicinal Panel speaker
Shana Rogers – Bookkeeping – Office
Courtney Nestler – Social Media Marketing, Website, and Email Marketing
Bri Skinner – Sponsorship Consultant
Tom Sanford – NOLT
George Braly – CPA