Welcome to the Fifth Annual Mushroom Foray at the All Western Evergreen Farm.  Three hiking groups are planned, all starting and ending at the farm house.  We will explore much of the farm, enjoying views of the valley and close-ups of the floral and mycological specimens.

Please plan to arrive early (1:45) to sign in and to sign the RAMA liability forms.

Friendly dogs are welcome on the hike; however, a leash will be needed near the farm house and you can expect a few other dogs will be hiking with you.

Paper bags and paper plates for collecting and displaying mushrooms will be provided.  Those who want to learn how to collect mushrooms will be instructed by Gene and Georgia, and any other Rochester Area Mycological Association members who will be our guests.

The Climbers will follow the driveway up to the fields, and explore to the south and west, to explore the varied forests for wild mushrooms. Check out between the Christmas trees if you are looking for unusual mushrooms.

The Tourists will follow the driveway, stopping occasionally to explore the woods for mushrooms.  When they reach the field, head to the right through several Christmas tree plantations.At the corner, follow the trail back into the woods. If time permits, return to the field and head west to a hidden corner of the field with some spectacular Christmas trees if you live in a large mall.

The Naturalists will start exploring under and behind the Red Cedars by the parking area. The woods to the right of the trail up to the main fields are likely full of mushrooms, but you will find some swampy areas, so don’t get lost.

All hikers should check their watches and return to the parking area by 4:00 to identify their collections.

Once again we are fortunate to have several RAMA members with us who have volunteered to identify the mushrooms collected between 4 and 4:30 p.m. After identification of the mushrooms, join us for a social (4:30 – 6:30 p.m.) hosted by Katherine at her house. Katherine will make two soups – Enchilada Chicken Soup and Vegetable Barley Soup. Please bring a dish-to-pass or make a small contribution to support the socials.  Bring your own beverage.  Dogs will want to stay in your car during the social.

We will begin all the hikes at 6840 Liberty Pole Road where there is ample parking at the Christmas tree loading area between the tall Western redcedar and Morton Building and Nursery beds. Follow the parking signs.  When we return from our foray, the mushrooms will be displayed for identification on paper plates on the tables indoors in the Morton Building or the basement depending on the weather.

Directions:

If using GPS, please try 6840 Liberty Pole Road, Dansville, NY 14437 (the mailing address) so as to not have a problem.

From Springwater: Go west from the Springwater light on NY-15 North.  Just past the top of the hill and after rounding the tight curve, turn left on CR 38 (Liberty Pole Road).  The farm is on the left (the high side) 1.1 miles from NY-15 at 6840 Liberty Pole Road after you cross Carney Hollow Rd. There is a sign for the All Western Evergreen Nursery.

From Geneseo: Go south on NY-63.  About 6.4 miles after passing NY-408, turn left on CR-1 (Groveland Scottsburg Rd) at Groveland Station.  This road becomes CR 1A (Springwater Scottsburg Rd) at Scottsburg (Route 256) and then Liberty Pole Road after you cross Stagecoach Road (CR 71), and finally CR-38 (still Liberty Pole Rd) after crossing Reeds Corners Rd (CR-29).  It is 7.1 miles from Groveland Station to All Western Evergreen Farm. The farm is on the right (the high side).

From Honeoye: Take 20A west to Hemlock and 15A south to Springwater.  Then follow the Springwater directions above.

From Rochester: Take I-390S from Rochester. Use Exit 9 for NY-15 Lakeville. Turn left onto NY-15. Stay on NY-15 for 16.5 miles, through Lakeville, Livonia, Conesus and Websters Crossing. When NY-15 curves to the left, turn right onto CR-60 (Carney Hollow Rd). Take the first right onto Liberty Pole Rd. The farm is on the left (the high side).