MUSHROOM PRODUCTION SYSTEM

ADDITIONAL COSTS (Locally Purchased Items) You Can Grow Gourmet Mushrooms
The following are only estimates and may vary depending on each situation.
For Profit!
18' X 49' 30' X 69' 30' X 129'
Freight cost for structure and equipment ........................................... n/a n/a n/a The recent significant rise in mushroom Consumers are demanding healthy
Lumber, Hardware, Insulation, Misc. Building supplies ................... 1,500.00 2,500.00 3,000.00 popularity provides an opportunity to fill foods and mushrooms deliver!
Concrete for Posts and Slab; Slab pouring labor ............................... 4,075.00 5,055.00 10,110.00 the market demand not satisfied by other Fat-free, cholesterol-free, and pesticide-free – and
Moisture proof lighting...................................................................... 200.00 600.00 1,400.00 available product. with additional medicinal benefits – mushrooms are a
Labor Cost for Construction During the last 30 years, mushroom production healthy crop that more and more people are consuming.
(Erection, Electric, Plumbing and Heating) .................................. 3,814.00 6,840.00 10,440.00 has increased 20-fold. According to Dr. Philip Miles, Food safety is at the forefront of thinking with today’s
Miscellaneous .................................................................................... 750.00 1,000.00 2,000.00 professor of biology at State University of New York in consumer. They want and expect food that is not laden
Site preparation .................................................................................. 750.00 1,000.00 1,500.00 Buffalo, worldwide production of oyster mushrooms with harmful chemicals. Controlled environment agri-
Gas and Heater Hookup .................................................................... 542.00 542.00 542.00 has exploded. culture allows safe, biological control over insects and
In Asian countries, an everyday meal at home may disease and reduces or eliminates the need for harmful
Water Hookup, Hot Water Heater, Sink and Plumbing ..................... 550.00 600.00 600.00
consist of 30 percent mushrooms. “I am convinced that chemicals. Locally grown produce removes the many
Electric Hookup and Materials .......................................................... 600.00 600.00 600.00 long distance transportation risks.
the consumer demand for exotic mushrooms in the
Packing Table, Picking Cart, Scale .................................................... 300.00 300.00 300.00 U.S. also promises a diverse and growing mushroom
Used Residential Style Refrigerator .................................................. 150.00 – – market in the future,” says Dr. Miles. But I’ve never grown mushrooms
__________ __________ __________ before in my life!
TOTAL ADDITIONAL COSTS ...................................................... 13,231.00 19,037.00 30,492.00
Delivering high quality mushrooms CropKing has a 20 year history of putting over 400
__________ __________ __________
to your customer is a major people into business growing high value specialty crops,
advantage for a small grower. many whom had no prior experience! We specialize in
PACKAGE PRICE FROM CROPKING ........................................ 21,279.00 68,697.00 83,896.00 training people to use their
Currently, consumers are not able to consistently find
__________ __________ __________ growing systems and back it
high quality specialty mushrooms such as oyster and
up with Internet and phone
shiitake in local markets. Specialty mushrooms, such as
INSTALLED COST GRAND TOTAL ........................................ $ 34,510.00 $ 87,734.00 $ 114,388.00 technical support.
oyster, do not have an espe-
cially long shelf life. Long
“CropKing has great
distance shipping is a chal-
technical support!”
MUSHROOM BOOKS lenge for large companies
— Tom Histen, CO
producing these mushrooms.
GROWING GOURMET AND CropKing offers a wide range of
In many markets when spe- We have spent five years
MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS controlled environment agriculture growing cialty mushrooms are avail- and over a quarter of a million
by Paul Stamets systems, supplies and services!
Comprehensive manual of mushroom
able, they come from a dis- dollars in research and devel-
cultivation – filled with readable, useful • Hydroponic Food Production tance and may be a week or opment of specialty mushroom growing systems. We
information on how to grow diverse and • Mushroom Production more old when they arrive. have tried many different types of systems and have
delicious mushrooms for pleasure or profit. Consumers often find that arrived at a complete system that works for the commer-
• Grower Training
GROWING GOURMET AND MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS these mushrooms fail to satisfy their need for quality cial production of oyster and shiitake mushrooms. You
BOO0090, $45.00 • Technical Support produce even when willing to pay premium prices! could try to duplicate our efforts, and spend your own
MUSHROOM CULTIVATION, money on frustrating failures, or you can use a system
3rd Edition Producing Mushrooms is an works, with the support behind it to make you
by Peter Oei ecologically sound business. successful!
Provides essential information on the
world’s most cultivated species of mush- Mushrooms recycle agriculture waste. Many low-
grade agricultural waste products can be used for mush-
Complete system for growing
rooms: from cultivation, to managing, to
post-harvest handling and marketing. room cultivation, including the stalks of agricultural mushrooms starts you growing fast.
This edition has been updated to include 230 Quadral Dr.., Wadsworth, OH 44281 produce, straw, corn cobs, cotton shells, sugar cane, The CropKing Mushroom Unit is designed to be put
modern high-tech developments in phone 800-321-5656, 330-335-1687 sugar beets, industry waste from cotton mills, and paper together by someone who has never built a mushroom or
cultivation and management. fax 330-335-1689 factories. Not only do mushrooms provide food, mush- greenhouse before. In fact, over 80% of our customers
MUSHROOM CULTIVATION
BOO0088, $69.00 www.cropking.com room waste can be recycled into fertilizers and additives construct their own houses. Many of them sub-contract
email: mushrooms@cropking.com that improve tree plantation soil conditions. work like the concrete, heat pump installation, and
1007
1
electrical work. Even the electrical system is simplified The right size for your needs. MUSHROOM PRODUCTION SYSTEM PRICING
with the use of terminal strips. If you can wire a switch
CropKing offers three system sizes for growing spe- Price Summary 4-05
and outlet, you can do much of the electrical work your-
cialty mushrooms – one is sure to fit your market and
self! Your complete construction manual is divided into
access to capital. Item Item
sections, and designed to be easily followed by someone Description No. 18' X 49' No. 30' X 69' 30' X 129'
The smallest, an “intro” house, is an 18'x49' system.
with only basic construction skills.
This house is designed to supplement other income and
is great for adding lines of produce to an existing pro- Mushroom Growing Package 1-3 13,117.00 1-3 30,695.00 45,680.00
Quick, positive cash flow. duce business. 1) Mushroom Production Facility,
Mushrooms grow quickly. You can be selling your There are two 30' wide units. The 30'x69' is a smaller Structure and Doors
first flush of oyster mushrooms in 30 days from commis- version of the 30'x129' system and is designed to be 2) Covering and Insulation System
sioning your system. This speed of production also expandable to the full sized 30'x129' house. There is a 3) Environmental Control Equipment
enables you to fit your production and mix of mushroom chart on page 4 that compares the components included • Heating system
types to dynamically match your markets. in each system. • Spawn room cooling system
If you are looking for financing, or just want to get a • Grow room humidification system
good idea of the cash flow of the mushroom business, What is the basic layout of the • Environmental control system
• Alarm system (not included on 18x49)
CropKing offers a business plan service. You fill out a
questionnaire about your market conditions, experience
system?
and other factors, and we produce a personalized busi- The system is divided into three separate environmen- Straw Processing Room and Equipment — n/a 4 6,800.00 6,800.00
ness plan that has been used successfully in the past to tal areas, the inoculation room, spawn room(s), and the
receive funding from banks and other sources of funds. grow room. Both 30' units include a walk-in cooler, Steam Pasteurization Chamber and
The $500 fee for the business plan is also fully deduct- which is located on the exterior of the unit (accessible Steam Generator 4 6,126.00 5 21,259.00 21,259.00
ible from the cost of the unit. from the inside of the unit).
Owning your own business enables you to work at The inoculation room is where the growing media Walk In Cooler — n/a 6 6,362.00 6,362.00
your own pace and in a pleasant controlled environment. (straw or cottonseed hulls), are treated and inoculated
The cave-like mushroom house remains at a comfortable with the mushroom spawn, and bagged. This room holds Miscellaneous Equipment and Supplies 5 196.00 7 741.00 955.00
temperature year round. the pasteurization chamber and the steam generator and
Grower Tech Service Program* 6 1,500.00 8 2,500.00 2,500.00

100 Bag Starter Supplies 7 340.00 9 340.00 340.00

__________ __________ __________

Total of above items $ 21,279.00 $ 68,697.00 $ 83,896.00

* The Tech Service price is applicable only with purchase of complete system as shown above. When a mushroom
growing system is purchased for an existing structure, the technical service package will be priced according to the
needs of the project.

Ordering Information
• Additional items not provided by CropKing are necessary to complete the package.
• Blueprints are made available once a deposit and order has been received.
• This pricing is subject to the standard Terms & Conditions of Sale that will be made a part of a Sales Contract
should a purchase take place
• Allow four to six weeks for shipment of a complete package. The framework and materials necessary to begin
construction may be shipped sooner if desired.
• All items are FOB Seville, Ohio, or manufacturer. One half deposit required with order, and remaining one half due
prior to shipment.
• Specifications and prices are subject to change without notice. A backup generator should be considered if in a rural
Basic system layouts: 30x129 unit (shown at top); 30x69 unit (lower left); 18x49 unit (lower right). area or if power failures are possible.

2 7
 COMPONENTS SHEET
CropKing Mushroom Production Unit
30’ Freestanding Units
1) Mushroom Production Facility, Structure and
Double Entrance Door
Frame (heavy duty truss style, designed for poly/
insulation covering), with galvanized structural steel
tubing, 3' O.C. arch spacing, web truss bracing, ground
stakes, purlins, wind braces, support posts, connectors,
end wall brackets, hardware and blueprints. Includes two
insulated entrance/exit doors (front entry is a double
door), and interior doors for both spawn room and grow
room. Also included is the mushroom bag support
system.
2) Covering and Insulation System
Structure is covered with two layers, white, UV
treated polyethylene (4 year warranty). Aluminum extru-
sions for poly attachment are also included. One layer of
6" and one layer of 3.5" poly encapsulated fiberglass
insulation (R 32) is included to be placed between two
poly covers.
Single layer white vinyl and batten tape is provided
for interior wall partitions. Wall partitions are to be made
of locally purchased treated lumber.
(End walls are to be covered and insulated with
locally purchased materials.)
3) Environmental Control Equipment
Heating system: Includes gas unit heaters (two),
power vented, propeller type, natural gas or LP. (Heater
flu pipe to be purchased locally.)
Air circulation equipment: Includes two fiberglass
flush mount fans for 69' unit and three for 129' unit, one
pvc inlet shutter, two air exchange fans for 69' unit and
four for 129' unit, one polyethylene air mixing fan,
speed control, multi-vent poly tube, support cable, and
hardware.
Spawn room cooling system: Includes one air condi-
tioner/heat pumps per each spawn room.
Grow room humidification system: Includes high
pressure fog system, filters, stainless steel tubing, atomi-
zation nozzles, and check valves; pressurization/filtra-
tion pump, control module, compression fittings, solid
state control panel and suspension hardware, tempera-
ture and humidity sensors with cable, manual isolation
valves, flexible hoses, drain valves, and installation
hardware.
Environmental control system: Includes pre-wired
electrical panel including interior panel box, relay box,
6 3
breakers, relays, duplex receptacle, all mounted on a
painted plywood board and ready to wire to terminal
strips.
Environmental controls for unit (with separate con-
trols for grow room).
Alarm system: Includes phone dialer alarm system to
provide dial up alarm for power outage or temperature
limit.
(Note: Wire and conduit from service to panel and
from panel to equipment is not included and must be
purchased locally.)
4) Straw Processing Room and Equipment
ShelterKing structure, 18' x 24', for storage and shred-
ding of straw. Includes steel structure, hardware, single
layer vinyl covering, and sliding entrance door.
Straw shredder/chopper with gas powered engine.
5) Steam Pasteurization Chamber and Steam
Generator
Includes aerated steam chamber, mounted on wheels,
with built-in inoculation table and bagging station.
Chamber is made of stainless steel and includes tipping
hydraulic system and all related hardware.
Also includes electric steam generator, HEPA filter
and enclosure, hose, quick disconnects, regenerative
blower, pressure gauge, steam traps, pressure switch,
water feeder, and site gauge.
6) Walk In Cooler
8' X 8' walk in cooler, panelized, insulated cooler with
compressor and condenser unit, including four walls and
ceiling. No floor included. Unit to be set on concrete pad
on exterior of unit.
7) Miscellaneous Equipment and Supplies
Mushroom Bag handling cart, hoses and manifold for
irrigation of grow bags, long stem thermometers; nylon
rope for hanging grow bags and for making shiitake
harnesses.
8) Grower Tech Service Program
Includes two day Grower Training Workshop,
Grower’s Manual, Installation Prints and Construction
Manual, On-going Technical Assistance for one year
from CropKing and outside consultants.
other control equipment. Once riod. The 18x49' grow room holds 216
this process is complete, the double hung bags, 30’x69' unit holds
grow bags are moved into a 960 bags, and the 30' x 129' unit holds
spawn room where the myce- 1920 bags. This yields a total projected
lium begins to grow. The spe- annual production of over 50 tons of
cific temperature and humidity mushrooms from a 30’x129' unit!
parameters are required in the We have produced as high as 16
spawn rooms to facilitate the pounds per bag, as have other growers,
growth of the mycelium and the but of course grower yields may be
colonization of the grow bags higher or lower, depending on the
are controlled by a heat pump. management abilities of the grower.
Once the grow bags are 30’ Gable End showing Cooler One pound of mushrooms per one
colonized, they are moved in to the grow room to com- pound of media is an industry benchmark.
plete their cycle. Temperature and humidity levels are
quite different in the grow room, designed to cause the What kind of wholesale prices
mushrooms to “pin”, and then to “flush” allowing up to should I expect to receive?
four harvests from the bags before they are removed and
replaced with fresh grow bags. A high pressure, atomiz- You should look for wholesale prices of at least $2.50
ing fog system is used to maintain the optimum humidity a pound. That is what the low quality, shipped in product
in the grow room. is currently bringing in the Cleveland market. It may be
higher, or lower, depending on your area.
How is the growing media We have received as high as $4.00 to $5.00 a pound,
selling to wholesalers. Other growers have received as
pasteurized? high as $6.00 to $7.00 a pound, when selling direct to
The heart of the mushroom system is the pasteuriza- restaurants and grocery stores. Wholesale prices can
tion chamber. The media that the mushrooms grow on vary from area to area and according to the marketing
must be pasteurized to kill off the bacteria and other skills of each grower.
fungus spores that You can check USDA market prices by accessing
naturally occur and their web site at www.ams.usda.gov/fv/mncs/
will cause problems termveg.htm and choosing your area for current whole-
in the system. The sale prices.
system uses aerated
steam at 160 deg. F What is the cost of production?
to achieve this pro-
Cost of production varies between approximately
cess. The aerated
$1.70 and $2.70 a pound, depending on the size of your
steam evenly heats
unit. This includes fuel
the media resulting in
35 cu.ft. Pasteurization Chamber
and electricity, all
uniform kill rates and
growing and packaging
good wetting of the media. There are two different
supplies, labor, mainte-
chamber sizes. The 18' unit uses a small fixed chamber
nance, basic expenses
that requires more labor to move the media. Both of the
for vehicle, office
30' units use a larger mobile chamber on caster wheels
expense, insurance, as
that includes a three-way manual hydraulic system for
well as interest on the
tipping and lifting the chamber. This unique, CropKing
loan (assuming 90%
designed system takes much of the back breaking labor
financing). This doesn’t
out of a mushroom system.
include the cost of
land. Additional mar- Double hung Mushroom Bags
What is the production capacity keting labor may be required, depending on the size of
of the unit? the unit, and the method of selling your produce.
The production capacity of the system is based on Of course, operating expenses will vary depending on
having six, 60-day “crop cycles” per year. Each grow the area and all of the figures are subject to change. You
bag filled with 11.25 lbs of dry matter should produce at should have a business plan prepared to help you deter-
least 8 pounds of oyster mushrooms in a sixty day pe- mine your actual costs of production.
 FEATURES COMPARISON
18’x24' Straw Chopping and Storage Building
Gas Powered Straw Chopper
Designed for Expansion
9 cu. ft. Fixed, Manual Pasteurazation Chamber
35 cu. ft. Hydraulic, Tipping Pasteurazation Chamber
5 kW Electric Steam Generator
20 kW Electric Steam Generator
Grow Room Capacity, Double Hung Bags
Spawn Room Capacity, Double Hung Bags
8’x8' Walk-in Cooler
High Pressure Fog Humidification System
Fine Mist Humidifiers
Phone and Email Technical Support provided by CropKing
Phone and Email Technical Support provided by CropKing,
with Access to Outside Consultants
How often will I harvest?
Harvesting is usually done every day in a mushroom
house. This is because the mushrooms throughout the
grow room are “ripening” constantly, and harvesting
them at their peak is a goal of growers. By doing so on a
daily basis, the work is spread out evenly throughout the
week, and actually can be done in a fairly short period
of time.
What is my best marketing
approach?
We believe the mushroom grower will do best by
marketing direct to grocery stores or restaurants, and
always preferably to the end-user, rather than going
through wholesalers or brokers. Of course, it really
depends on where you are located and how big of a
market region you are working in.
Developing a delivery route to high quality restau-
rants and upscale grocery stores may be the best avenue
for receiving the highest wholesale prices. These buyers
respond well to higher quality product, as well as better
and more personal service and they don’t mind paying a
premium price.
Straw Storage Building
4 5
18' x 49' 30' x 69' 30' x 129' COMPONENTS SHEET
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes CropKing Mushroom Production Unit
No Yes No 18’ X 49’ Freestanding Unit
Yes – –
– Yes Yes
1) Mushroom Production Facility, Structure and Grow room humidification system: Two fine-mist
Yes – –
Double Entrance Door atomizing humidifiers
– Yes Yes
Frame (heavy duty truss style, designed for poly/ Environmental control system: Includes pre-wired
216 960 1920
36 240 480 insulation covering), with galvanized structural steel electrical panel including interior panel box, relay box,
tubing, 3' O.C. arch spacing, web truss bracing, ground breakers, relays, duplex receptacle, all mounted on a
No Yes Yes
– Yes Yes stakes, purlins, wind braces, support posts, connectors, painted plywood board and ready to wire to terminal
Yes – – end wall brackets, hardware and blueprints. Includes one strips.
Yes – – single insulated entrance/exit door, and an interior door Environmental controls for unit (with separate con-
into grow room. Roll-up partition wall for spawn room. trols for grow room).
– Yes Yes Also included is the mushroom bag support system. (Note: Wire and conduit from service to panel and
from panel to equipment is not included and must be
2) Covering and Insulation System purchased locally.)
Can I convert an existing building Structure is covered with two layers, white, UV
using CropKing’s technology and treated polyethylene (4 year warranty). Aluminum extru-
4) Steam Pasteurization Chamber and
Steam Generator
equipment? sions for poly attachment are also included. One layer of
Includes 9 cu. ft. fixed aerated steam chamber, with
6" and one layer of 3.5" poly encapsulated fiberglass
It is possible, but most likely will not save you insulation is included to be placed between two poly built-in inoculation table and bagging station. Chamber
much money, and may actually cost you money in covers. is made of stainless steel and has a perforated floor for
the long term. The design of most agricultural build- Single layer white vinyl and batten tape is provided down-flow aerated steam.
ings will not accommodate the large hanging load of for interior wall partitions. Wall partitions are to be made Also includes 5kW electric steam generator, HEPA
the mushroom bags, and generally lack the insulation of locally purchased treated lumber. filter and enclosure, hose, quick disconnects, regenera-
needed for the mushroom structure.
If you decide that you wish to “convert” existing
(End walls are to be covered and insulated with tive blower, pressure switch, water feeder, and site
gauge.
structures for mushroom production, there will be a
locally purchased materials.)
significant up-front consulting fee for this service. If you 3) Environmental Control Equipment 5) Miscellaneous Equipment and Supplies
are still interested, please let us know and we will dis- Hose and manifold for irrigation of grow bags, long
Heating system: Includes gas unit heater, power
cuss the cost with you. stem thermometer; nylon rope for hanging grow bags
vented, propeller type, natural gas or LP. (Heater flu
pipe to be purchased locally.) and for making shiitake harnesses.
What is the startup cost? Air circulation equipment: Includes one fiberglass
The following pages (5-8) outline the components and 30" flush mount fan, two 12" Flush mount fans, two pvc 6) Grower Tech Service Program
prices of all three production units. inlet shutters, two air exchange fans, one 20" air mixing Includes one day CropKing Grower Training Class,
fan Grower’s Manual, Installation Prints and Construction
What is my next step? Spawn room cooling system: Includes an air condi- Manual, On-going Technical Assistance for one year.
tioner unit.
Feel free to contact us with any questions that you
have regarding the system. You can contact us at
(800) 321-5656 or email info@cropking.com. If you Cross section views showing
are interested in some of our other growing systems, double hung grow bags
we would recommend that you attend one of our free
half-day orientations held at various locations
throughout the country.
We also have a free video ($4.95 S/H) that shows
the workings of a specialty mushroom facility, and
books about mushroom production (see back page).
Finally, consider purchasing a business plan.
Remember that the cost is fully deductible from the cost
of a unit!
18’ Grow Room and Spawn Area 30’ Grow Room