Running an Organic Mushroom Farm: Elizabeth Almeida, Owner, Fat Moon Mushroom Farm

Elizabeth Almeida

Fat Moon Mushroom Farm

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-almeida-a1264919/

Elizabeth Almeida has been devoted to food, farming, family, and community throughout her life. She grew up on a multi-generation cattle farm in Ohio, where her family grew, canned, and froze their own veggies and meat. As a kid, Elizabeth was active in 4-H and FFA, winning many awards in livestock and cooking, including Grand Champion Chickens! 

Her first job--from 14 to 22--was working for a caterer, where she learned to prepare and serve delicious, beautiful food. During college, she worked in a food science research lab, where she learned the exacting scientific practices that she employs today when optimizing her mushroom growing techniques. 

After college, Elizabeth spent a year living and volunteering in the Appalachian region of eastern Kentucky, where her eyes were opened to justice issues, including food justice, environmental justice and economic justice, in witnessing the societal effects of a lack of employment opportunities.

She left Appalachia with a commitment to continue to work for justice. She lives out her values at Fat Moon, where she produces the healthiest of foods, recycles farm waste into a soil-enriching compost for local farms, and gardens, and provides jobs for her community. (fatmoonmushrooms.com)