By CLAUDIA HARMON WORTHEN
“Every breath of air we take, and every mouthful of food we eat, depends upon plants,” said Sir David Attenborough in a 2022 interview.
To raise awareness about this world of plants and fungi, and how it interacts with pollination, Beautify Cambria will host its 9th Annual Bee, Butterfly & Bat Faire on Sunday, May 4,, at the Cambria Historical Museum from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Faire is a holistic adventure, from the earth to the sun, featuring the cycle of life that gives clean air to breathe, heathy food, medicines, and beauty.
Jason Anderson, gardener, former beekeeper has lauded the benefits of mushroom compost for years. This year, the Faire will offer mushroom compost for the first time. It is not only healthy for plants but can be self-propagating. By digging up rocks, Kirtz Excavating & Trucking has uncovered the world of mushroom fungi and will share their compost with event attendees.
The largest part of mushrooms and toadstools grows below ground many times larger than the beautiful fleshy, spore-spreading fruiting part of fungi seen in forests and gardens. So, why fungi at a pollination faire? Because fungi connects the world on land and sea as friends—and sometimes foe—of plants, animals and even humans. They hunt, communicate, protect each other and some fungi exist by using mind control to turn insects into zombies. Neither plant nor animal, they are the most important organism in the world, The Web of Life.
Bees uncover fungal compounds in decomposing wood to sip on the sweat droplets on mycelium for detoxification. “Bees are attracted to rotting logs, specifically for their immunological benefit and ability to up-regulate their immune system, allow them to detoxify toxins, and they allow them to be better pollinators,” says mycologist Paul Stamets.
Mike Coulson and Miho Watanabe, the co-owners of Plantae+Fungi, share a passion for the healing properties of plants. They created a wellness company in 2017 that could deliver high-quality plant and mushroom products to those who needed them most and in the most delicious and effective ways. Today, Plantae+Fungi is known not only for its innovative products, but also for its commitment to sustainability, social responsibility and giving back to the community.
Here is a preliminary list of venders for the Faire:
–Plantae + Fungi will offer for sale their delicious Collard Wraps.
–The UC Master Gardeners will host a booth filled with books and brochures on plants. Their enthusiasm for and deep knowledge of plants is inspiring.
–Central Coast State Parks Association will share the wonders of local parks and the abundance of flora and fauna they work to preserve for the public.
–Lily’s Coffeehouse will serve Mediterranean turkey sandwiches, and Once a Day Desserts will treat folks to a variety of sweets made from pollinated ingredients.
–Central Coast Beekeepers and Sierra Honey Farm will have plenty of organic honey and related products for sale.
–John and Debra Scott will be selling pollinator-friendly plants.
–Nancy Carr will present her whimsical “Plant a Plate” flowers made from recycled china.
–Ron Everson has created beautiful wood mosaic wall hangings of bees, butterflies, and bats.
For more information abut Beautify Cambra Association and the Faire go to: www.beautifycambria.org or contact: info@beautifycambria.org
Top photo: Reproductive spores are shown in the center of the photo using special dyes and microscopy.
Photo credit: Vasilis Kokkoris, Amsterdam
Bottom picture 1: Thomas McCall, owner of Sierra Honey Farm, loves his bees.
Bottom picture 2: Zombie producing fungus, Getty Image
