Press Release | For Immediate Release
Expert Mushroom Forager and Published Author Frank Hyman Returns To McLaughlin Garden and Homestead To Present “Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Foraging For Wild Mushrooms”
SOUTH PARIS, MAINE (August 13, 2025) — The McLaughlin Garden and Homestead invites nature enthusiasts, foodies, and the myco-curious to a special presentation with author and expert forager Frank Hyman on Thursday, August 28 at 4:30pm in the McLaughlin Garden and Homestead barn.
Hyman, author of How to Forage for Mushrooms Without Dying: An Absolute Beginner’s Guide, returns to McLaughlin Garden and Homestead and will lead a lively and informative session titled “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Foraging for Wild Mushrooms.” Drawing from years of experience and his best-selling guide, Hyman will share the fundamentals of safe mushroom identification, handling, and storage, along with personal anecdotes from his own foraging adventures.
Known for his humor and approachable teaching style, Hyman has educated more than 1,500 chefs, arborists, farmers, and foraging hobbyists. He’s a certified mushroom forager whose work has been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and in Paleo, Urban Farm, and Hobby Farms magazines.
The event will include information on mushroom identification, tips for foraging safety, and a Q&A session. A book signing will follow the presentation, with copies of Hyman’s book available for purchase at the Garden.
Whether you’re a curious beginner or looking to deepen your knowledge of wild fungi, this event promises to be both entertaining and educational.
- Admission: Open to the public
- Members – $10; Non-Members – $15
Upcoming Signature Events
- Garden Illuminated & Garden Still Illuminated –August 22 & August 23, 2025
- Jack-o’-Lantern Spectacular | October 16, 17 & 18, 2025 from 6-8:30 p.m.
Events and programs at McLaughlin Garden and Homestead are made possible thanks to the generous support of our 2025 season sponsors: MaineHealth | Stephens Hospital and Norway Savings Bank.
For more information, please see the McLaughlin Garden events page at mclaughlingarden.org or call 207-743- 8820, to learn more about these events and other programs at the McLaughlin Garden and Homestead.
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ABOUT McLaughlin Garden and Homestead
The McLaughlin Garden is home to one of the largest collections of lilacs in New England, with 125 varieties on more than 200 trees. The garden collection also includes an impressive array of hostas, daylilies, astilbes, iris, phlox, wildflowers and ferns. Each year, the McLaughlin Garden welcomes nearly 10,000 visitors who come to enjoy the garden as well as our special programs and events. Now over 80 years old, the landmark two-acre garden, historic barn, and home are under the stewardship of the McLaughlin Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
ABOUT Frank Hyman
In his 20’s Frank Hyman was a very successful college dropout. He decided to forgo a career and instead get paid for his hobbies. Foraging mushrooms is the ninth hobby that he’s ramped up into a profession. In the fall he sells wild mushrooms to chefs. In the summer and winter he teaches foraging classes. And at any time he might be writing foraging columns for national magazines (the other eight avocations being—horticulture, carpentry, stone masonry, sculpture, design, politics, photography and writing). His writing has appeared in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Hyman’s book – How to Forage Mushrooms Without Dying: An Absolute Beginner’s Guide – is the book he wished he’d had when he started foraging. It covers 81 species of mushrooms that are mostly edible, but also some Medicinal and Artisanal mushrooms as well as a few Sickeners and Killers. It has sold over 40,000 copies in little over one year, putting it in the top 5% of sales of all printed books. Sam Thayer–whose books on wild edible plants sell in the six-figure range—says simply, “The book is excellent.” Reviewers commend Frank’s sense of humor, plain language, safety rhymes, links to foragers’ recipes, essays about the foraging life and the great photos.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kimberly J. Poland, Poland Media Group – (401) 743-7272, kimberly@polandmediagroup.com
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