Austin's Biggest Fungi Day Is Tomorrow. Here's What to Expect at the Texas Mushroom Conference

If you're in Texas and haven't locked in your plans for April 19 yet, pay attention. The 4th Annual Texas Mushroom Conference takes over the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center on the University of Texas at Austin campus this Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM, and based on the agenda, it's worth clearing your calendar for.

Organized by Myceliumatters, the event has been building for four years now, and this iteration is the most content-heavy yet. One day, multiple tracks, expert speakers, hands-on workshops, free drinks and food sampling, and yes, you get to take home your own mycomaterial. Not bad for a Sunday.

What's Actually on the Agenda

The day kicks off at 11 AM with fungi trivia hosted by Matt Powers, with product giveaways for anyone willing to put their mycology knowledge on the line. It's a low-stakes, high-fun way to open proceedings and a good indicator of the tone the organizers are going for: serious content delivered without taking itself too seriously.

From there, the main stage shifts into a Functional Mushroom Research Panel with representatives from the University of Houston's Center for Mushroom Research and Education. If you've been following functional mushroom research (lion's mane cognition studies, turkey tail and immune support, the growing body of work around reishi), this is the kind of panel that separates well-cited information from supplement marketing copy.

Alan Rockefeller then takes the stage for a deep dive into Texas State Mushroom and Psilocybin Taxonomy. Rockefeller is one of the more respected figures in citizen mycology and species documentation, and a talk focused on local taxonomy is genuinely useful for anyone foraging or studying fungi in Texas specifically.

Additional content covers foraging technique, mycoremediation, fungal biotechnology, and research from UT Dell Medical's Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy on clinical psilocybin work. The scope here is broad, which is a deliberate choice. This conference isn't pitching to one corner of the mushroom world.

The Workshops Are Where It Gets Hands-On

The talk program is strong, but the workshops are the part that gives this conference a different texture from a standard lecture day.

Scheduled sessions include:

• Cordyceps cultivation: One of the more technically demanding species to grow, and having a guided workshop on it is a genuine opportunity
• Mushroom cooking demos: Functional and gourmet species prepared by culinary experts, with free sampling for all attendees
• Intro to mycomaterials: And every attendee walks away with their own mycomaterial to take home

Apologies, the bullet points carried some through. Clean version of those three:

• Cordyceps cultivation: One of the more technically demanding species to grow, and a guided workshop is a genuine opportunity
• Mushroom cooking demos: Functional and gourmet species prepared by culinary experts, with free sampling for all attendees
• Intro to mycomaterials: Every attendee walks away with their own mycomaterial to take home

That last one deserves emphasis. Mycomaterials (products grown from mycelium that replace plastics, packaging, and other synthetic materials) are moving fast from niche research project to real commercial application. Getting hands-on with the process, even at a beginner level, gives you a much better grasp of the technology than reading about it.

If you're already sourcing cultivation supplies through ShroomSpy, the cordyceps workshop in particular is worth showing up early for. It'll give you context that changes how you approach substrate selection and fruiting chamber conditions.

Check out ShroomSpy cultivation supplies and substrates!

Vendors, Food, and the VIP Option

The vendor floor runs throughout the day, with local and national sellers covering supplements, grow kits, eco-friendly materials, and handmade goods. Free drinks and sampling are included with standard entry, so you won't need to budget separately for food.

For those who want the full experience, a VIP option is available with access to an exclusive lounge with mushroom-based food and drinks, plus a premium tote bag stocked with over $200 worth of mushroom products. Whether that's worth the upgrade depends on how deep into mushroom goods you want to go home.

Getting There

The venue is the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center, 2110 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin TX 78712, right on the UT campus. Paid parking is available. Doors open at 11 AM and the event runs through 6 PM.

All ages are welcome, which makes this a reasonable option if you're trying to get a younger family member into mycology. There are worse introductions than a full day of hands-on workshops and free food.

Is It Too Late to Get Tickets?

Technically no. Tickets are still available on Eventbrite. Given this is a single-day, capped event with hands-on workshops and a 200-person capacity, showing up without a ticket is a risk not worth taking. Sort it tonight.

Tickets and full event details are available at Eventbrite.

Ready to take your mycology journey to the next level? Browse our full range of mushroom products at ShroomSpy.com/mushrooms/products and find everything you need to grow, forage, and thrive.

FAQ

When and where is the 4th Annual Texas Mushroom Conference?

Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 11 AM to 6 PM at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center, 2110 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, TX 78712 on the University of Texas campus.

Who is speaking at the Texas Mushroom Conference 2026?

Confirmed speakers include Alan Rockefeller on Texas mushroom and psilocybin taxonomy, a functional mushroom research panel from the University of Houston's Center for Mushroom Research and Education, and doctors from UT Dell Medical's Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy. Matt Powers hosts fungi trivia to open the day.

What workshops are available at the Texas Mushroom Conference?

Workshops include cordyceps cultivation, mushroom cooking demonstrations, and an introduction to mycomaterials. All attendees take home their own mycomaterial from the workshop.

Is the Texas Mushroom Conference family-friendly?

Yes. The event is open to all ages.

Is there parking at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center?

Paid parking is available around the venue on the UT Austin campus.