Meet the Faces at Enchanted Farms Mushrooms
Enchanted Farms Mushrooms has always been a team effort and our tribe has grown during the winter months. Founders, Amanda Powers and Jacob Harris started the farm a year ago with a vision and have steadily been growing the operation.
The farm is currently producing 80 mushroom blocks per day, which means, lots of agar to grain transfers, inoculating, and harvesting. With everything being handmade and multiple points of failure potential during the mushroom growing process, we were in search of individuals that bring passion, technique, and experience to the table.
We have cultivated an incredible team of individuals who have a passion for mushrooms, wellness, and community. We want you to meet our team so you have a familiarity with the crew that is preparing your favorite local mushrooms.
Julian Scanlon was hired in December as a Lab Culture Technician. Julian is a known friend to the fungi, locally and afar, most notably leading the monthly Mushroom Meet-Up and his koji inspired creations with Ecologica Projects. Julian is a world traveler having just returned from a trip to Puerto Rico where he explored the Caribbean island for unique mushroom and plant species helping to bring awareness to deforestation on the island. Julian spends his hours on the farm in our production unit helping to make substrates, inoculating and making hundreds of grow blocks while working with our head of Mycology, Jacob Harris, in the culture lab.
Jessica Wieser hales from Greenville, South Carolina where she spent her time working in a hydroponic farm. Prior to that, Jessica spent 18 years in foodservice and hospitality with a degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Whales University. More recently, Jessica achieved an Associate of Applied Science, Horticulture Technology. She has passions for sustainability and permaculture. Jessica recently moved to New Mexico and enjoys hiking, exploring the city's food, arts, and culture scene with her husband. Jessica oversees grow and harvest operations by working daily in our tents, harvesting, and packing fresh mushroom orders.
Abriel Gonzalez grew up in Hobbs, New Mexico and has a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Science from New Mexico State University. Abriel was a Lab Technician at the NMSU Nematology Lab where he maintained the research greenhouse, responsible for nematode cultures on tomato plants. Abriel transitioned from the cannabis industry as a grower and now has a love for growing mushrooms. He has a knack for detail and a passion for biological and laboratory sciences. Abriel works closely with the head of Mycology in all aspects of mushroom production. Abriel is positive every day at the farm, and you can usually find him wearing a smile on his face.
Kameelah Templeton joined Enchanted Farms Mushrooms after living on a farm in Odessa, Texas for several years. Kameelah was born and raised in Albuquerque and loves to be surrounded by the farming way of life our mushroom farm offers. Kameelah has gained new skills and knowledge of mushrooms during her time at the farm. She enjoys working in the grow tents and packing customer orders. Kameelah loves working Saturdays at the farm as a form of zen time. Kameelah has a wonderful smile and unforgettable laugh that you're sure to encounter during a visit to the farm.
Sve started as a volunteer with the farm, focusing on making grow blocks, working with grain, and our processed mushrooms. Her efforts on the front and tail end of mushroom farming allows her the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of her efforts from beginning to end. Sve has a passion for learning and working with the fungi. She loves to forage mushrooms, share mushroom recipes, and learn as much as she can about mycology. Sve's secret talent is her voice, especially as a bad-ass karaoke singer. She is officially in charge of the karaoke entertainment division of Enchanted Farms Mushrooms.
Malcolm June is our Farmer's Market Specialist and you will find him working alongside his wife and founder, Amanda. Malcolm wakes up early for the weekend farmer's markets and tries to be as pleasant as possible to all those he encounters. Malcolm is a local musician and loves making obscure references to 1970s and '80's music at the farm booth. He is a proponent of mushrooms as a way to live healthier and advocates for his daily mushroom blend of Turkey Tail, Chaga, Cordyceps, and Resihi. Malcolm does the cooking in the house and uses mushrooms in two to three dishes per week. He loves the Pioppino and Golden Oyster mushroom varieties.
Everyone knows that farming is a team effort, and we are so proud of the team that we have formed at Enchanted Farms Mushrooms. Each person brings value, and we hope that shows in our product and experience when shopping with us.
To meet the rest of the team, go here https://enchantedfarmsmushrooms.com/pages/about-us