Farmers from across the UK recently attended the first of a series of Gourmet Mushroom Farm Discovery Days at Blenheim Palace, where they were given an exclusive tour of the Estate's mushroom farm and the biochar products made from the output; a tailored business modelling workshop; and practical insights into creating and running a successful mushroom production facility.

Guests enjoyed a two-course lunch at The Orangery, had a chance to meet the team from the visionary circular solutions team at Tumblebug who operate and design circular mushroom farms. They also networked with like-minded farmers, landowners and entrepreneurs exploring regenerative diversification opportunities which can provide extra year round revenue, independent of the climate.

Tumblebug Founder and CTO, Sylvie Verinder remarked: "Feedback from the first discovery day has been fantastic - guests went away with a practical framework for assessing whether gourmet mushroom production could work for their business and a clear understanding of the next steps required to move from concept to operational farm.

"This was the first of five days we have planned; we have a list of over 60 farmers already booked in for the autumn and winter sessions, but spaces are available."

Launched in 2024, Blenheim Estate's mushroom farm grows Oyster, Lion's Mane and other varieties of gourmet mushrooms on spawn-inoculated substrate (the growing surface) created from organic materials from Blenheim Palace and then creates biochar with the spent substrate.

The harvested mushrooms are used in the kitchens at Blenheim Palace, as well as being sold fresh to local pubs and restaurants. Tumblebug are smoking, drying and creating a range of mushroom rubs and salts as additional value-added solutions for the mushrooms which participating farmers can develop too.

The next Gourmet Mushroom Farm Discovery Day is on November 5th; to register your interest, contact hello@tumblebug.co.uk