An Evening Celebrating Fungi

September 9, 2025
6:30 p.m.
The Octagon Barn, E4350 Horseshoe Rd, Spring Green, WI

On September 9th, we’ll gather in the barn for the last time this season and conclude our exploration of fungi with an engaging panel of mycologists:

Lauren Ré is a Mycologist & Nature Educator newly based in the Midwest. She lives in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where she is pursuing a Master's degree at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Her research focuses on the systematics of the fungal family Hygrophoraceae, known as Waxy Caps. She holds a B.S from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, where she studied ecology and cryptogamic organisms including fungi, lichens, and bryophytes. She is passionate about community science and fostering greater awareness and understanding of fungal diversity.

Aishwarya Veerabahu: Aishwarya Veerabahu is a fungal ecologist, doing her PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on the ecology, evolution, and social perspectives of invasive golden oyster mushrooms. She got her B.S. in Biology from the University of California Riverside in Southern California, nested in chaparral hills that sparked her love for botany. When she’s not doing research or looking for mushrooms, she’s drumming for her band Big Slide (@BigSlide4 on Instagram). Aishwarya’s research has recently been featured in the New York Times and Wisconsin Public Radio.

Owen Zecca is a fungal biologist, cultivator, student, forager, and enthusiast. He is currently in a Master’s program at the University of Wisconsin in La Crosse. He has done fungal biodiversity research in Jamaica for the past seven years in addition to running a mushroom farm and spawn laboratory. He is interested in regenerative food systems, biodiversity preservation, and applying fungal technologies for a more sustainable future.

They will tell us about themselves, their research, and some of the possibilities and challenges of fungi. They will answer some of our questions and leave us with ideas to continue our journey into mycology.. 

Chef’s Hideout food truck will be at the barn starting at 5:30 with pulled pork and brisket melts (with or without mushrooms!) and vegetarian mushroom stew.

This event is free and unticketed. The event will conclude with dessert and conversation.