Valentine season has us feeling extra mushy, so this newsletter is full of terrible mushroom poems, even worse puns and some genuinely good info on farmer’s markets, Valentine’s day date spots, a mushroom broth recipe and what lichen actually is. Cozy up and dig in! 💌💌

Lovely Lichen

I was trying to come up with romantic fungi puns with Valentines day, and found some great ones; I can’t bolete your mine. You take up so mush room in my heart. You’re a fun-gi. Life without you would stink-horn. I’d be so hyphae to make you my wifey.

But this next pun feels extra special, especially since someone at the Telluride Mushroom Festival went so far as to create an entire mushroom sculpture around it: I’ve taken a lichen to you.

It got me thinking, is this the most romantic fungi pun to exist? And more importantly, does lichen demonstrate the ultimate form of love and a healthy relationship?? Let’s get into it.

Lichens are the pale green to bluish, lacey-looking patches you’ll spot clinging to tree trunks and branches around the Cincinnati area. Despite looking like a single organism, lichen is actually a partnership between a fungus and an algae (or sometimes bacteria).

The fungus builds the structure, spreading its filaments across the tree’s surface and creating a protective home. Inside that structure, the alga or bacteria uses sunlight to produce sugars and nutrients. In many lichen relationships, the algae feel so well-supported that they abandon sexual reproduction altogether, in favor of faster (but less genetically exciting) self-cloning to keep pace with the rate of the fungi’s growth. Best part, it doesn’t harm the tree one bit!

To get poetic about it, in the words of evolutionary biologist Lynn Margulis, “Like a farmer tending her apple trees and her field of corn, a lichen is a melding of lives. Once individuality dissolves, the scorecard of victors and victims makes little sense. Is corn oppressed? Does the farmer’s dependence on corn make her a victim? These questions are premised on a separation that does not exist. The heartbeat of humans and the flowering of domesticated plants are one life. “Alone” is not an option… Lichens add physical intimacy to this interdependence, fusing their bodies and intertwining the membranes of their cells, like cornstalks fused with the farmer, bound by evolution’s hand.”

Lichens take interdependence a step further by physically fusing their bodies, intertwining their cellular membranes, like lives braided together by evolution itself.

So, is lichen the epitome of love, marriage, and better-when-together energy? Maybe! It’s not perfect, and it’s definitely not a Hallmark movie, but it is a compelling reminder that thriving doesn’t always come from independence alone. Sometimes, it comes from mutual care, shared resources, and growing in sync.

Either way, we hope you enjoy your Valentines day and perhaps celebrate with a mushroom pun!

Need Valentine’s Day Plans?

Look no further. These Cincinnati spots are dishing out top-tier date nights with one thing in common: local mushrooms on the menu. We may be biased, but honestly… what’s not to love?

Baker’s Table in Newport is offering a special Vegetarian Dinner starring our mushrooms starting this first week of February.

Colette is running a special four-course Valentine’s prix fixe dinner on February 14, 2026 ($110 per person) with curated courses for a romantic evening. Celebratory wine pairings are often offered as an add-on, and reservations are strongly encouraged.

Abigail Street is often recommended as a Valentine’s dinner destination for its intimate atmosphere and shareable plates, even if it isn’t running a separate prix fixe this year.

This is the season to treat yourself and a loved one, so make sure you reserve that table! May your weekend be filled with mush love.

Recipe: Mushroom Broth

Did your mushrooms get lost in the fridge and now they are too dry to cook? Did you save trimmed stems from Chestnut mushrooms? Waste no more, now you have a use for all that food! Along with the leek tops, carrot peels, celery stalks, onion and garlic skins and any other quality food scraps that you may store in your freezer to make a broth, remember to add your fungi! Follow this recipe for a simple, hearty broth that could be used in recipes, or alone as a base for ramen noodles.

What you need:

• 1 Medium bag of Rich Life Farm Mushrooms or ½ pound of mushroom scraps, roughly chopped

• 10 cups total of any food scraps you have saved in your freezer, roughly chopped.

• 3 bay leaves

• 2 teaspoons sea salt

• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

• Handful of Parsley

• 1 small bunch of fresh Thyme

• 10 cups of water

How to:

1. Place all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer gently, uncovered, for 1 hour. If you have extra time, continue to simmer for up to 4 hours to make a more flavorful and concentrated broth.

2. Strain and discard the vegetables, be sure to catch the liquid! Season to taste.

And voilà! Your own homemade broth to use in your favorite soup recipes. If you haven’t started food saving like this, there is no better time to start than now. Happy soup season!

Mushroom of the Month: Blue Oyster

The one that holds our hearts year after year: the Blue Oyster. Our best-seller once again, with 4,848 pounds sold in 2025. So why do we love it so much?

Blue Oysters bring that classic, savory umami that keeps you chasing the next bite. They pair beautifully with almost any flavor and cook up effortlessly, making them a go-to for everything from weeknight dinners to chef-level dishes. Home cooks and seasoned pros agree—this mushroom just works.

They’re nutritious, too. Blue Oysters belong to the Pleurotus genus (alongside King, Queen, and Pink Oysters) and are rich in beta-glucans. These compounds are linked to blood-sugar regulation (study), immune support and reduced inflammation (study). Oyster mushrooms also support blood vessel health and naturally contain a compound similar to lovastatin, which is used to help manage cholesterol and blood pressure (study).

Just 8 ounces a week delivers fiber, protein, and vascular support. Simple, powerful, and tasty. It’s good stuff.

In short? Delicious, versatile, and quietly working behind the scenes for your health. No wonder Blue Oysters keep stealing our hearts. We love growing them for you. 💙

Partner Spotlight: Allez

Madisonville friends—new spot alert! Allez Café & Bakery has expanded into 6012 Madison Road. Freshly opened and starting simple, they’re serving the essentials for now; bread, pastries, and coffee with plans to grow into a full bar menu and extended hours soon.

Allez Bakery, Cafe and Bar uses many quality ingredients, including local mushrooms! Emalee tried the roasted vegetable sandwich with mushrooms (pictured above), and yes, it tasted as good as it looks. Featured below is a cozy Thai curry bowl with mushrooms, coconut milk, tofu, and rice noodles that Allez highlighted in December. With this snowy weather, it’s basically a dream meal.

In 2025 alone, Allez Bakery bought 395 pounds of mushrooms and continues ordering Lion’s Mane and Oyster varieties. Take yourself on a coffee date and give Allez your support Tuesday - Saturday at:

• Allez Bakery (1208 Main St) — fresh bread, pastries, and country music

• Allez Café (1201 Main St) — espresso, breakfast, lunch, wine & beer

• New Bar/Bakery (6012 Madison Rd) — just opened and just getting started

Go for the coffee, stay for the mushrooms, and fall in love with a new neighborhood favorite.

Farm Fun

We all enjoyed the snow day on Sunday! Pete and Emalee spent time in their own little winter wonderland, walking the dogs through the wooded section of the property and practicing drifts on the ATV. I (Kelley) trudged through the 10 inches of snow up the Hamilton Ave hill to my mom’s house where a sledding hill and hottub awaited me. Snowday success.

Wishing you a lovely Feb!

#liveyourrichlife

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