Will Lockmiller, the owner of Sno-Valley Mushrooms, began selling at the Carnation Farmers Market in 2012, just a year after his business opened, though he’s been growing mushrooms since the time he was in high school. Will operates his family farm on a quarter of an acre in Duvall, where he primarily cultivates his mushrooms indoors, but he’s got plans to grow, as his vision is to provide King County with delicious fungi. A valley native, Will uses organic methods to produce his mushrooms, and does so with extreme standards of cleanliness in a sterile environment.
Sno-Valley Mushrooms specializes in Shiitake mushrooms, and also grows Blue Oyster and Lion’s Mane varieties. In addition to buying ready-to-eat mushrooms at market, you can also pick up hand-crafted kits that allow you to grow your own mushrooms at home on a block made from Pacific Northwest Red Alder sawdust, held together by the fungi. These kits produce between two to three pounds of mushrooms before they run out of the nutrients after around two to three months. If you’re interested in more permanent options, Sno-Valley Mushrooms also sells dowels for log and stump inoculation, and Will offers consultations for those interested in using mushrooms in permaculture.
Will’s favorite part about running the Snoqualmie Valley’s sole mushroom farm is working for himself and producing a product that he’s proud to sell. His mushrooms are so good that you can find them in the fare at Duvall’s Grange Café and the Duvall Grill and Tap Room. Will enjoys selling at the Carnation Farmers Market because he loves doing what he wants to do where he wants to do it: at home in the Snoqualmie Valley. Will calls his the best Shiitake in the world—stop by at market when you see him there so you don’t miss out. While you’re there, if you see them, make sure to say hi to Will’s wife Chrissy and their young son Rowan, both of whom can be found around market on Tuesdays when Sno-Valley Mushrooms is among our vendors.
You can follow Sno-Valley Mushrooms online on their Facebook page.