Brad's Fall Foray 2026

September 17–20, 2026
Camp Bobwhite at Knob Noster State Park

Brad’s Fall Foray is at Knob Noster State Park this year. Knob Noster State Park is filled with beautiful hardwood forests, prairie openings, streams, and miles of marked hiking trails.

Whether this is your first mushroom foray or you’ve been filling baskets for decades, this weekend is about getting outside, learning something new, eating way too much good food, and spending time with people who get just as excited about fungi as you do.

What to Expect:

Guided Mushroom Forays:

Join experienced foray leaders as we explore the forests and trails of Knob Noster State Park in search of Missouri’s incredible fall fungi. Multiple forays are offered throughout the weekend.

Native Plant Hike:

Join native plant specialist Alix Daniel as she leads a hike through Knob Noster’s forests and prairies, pointing out edible and native plants, along with invasive species.

Wild Foods Demo:

Conservation Educator Dr. Ginger Miller explores edible wild plants that can turn your mushroom harvest into a complete foraged meal. You’ll leave with practical resources, new ideas, and a fresh appreciation for what nature has to offer beyond mushrooms.

Evening Speakers:

Jay Justice – Missouri’s Fall Mushrooms

Dr. Steven Trudell – Alaska Mushrooms and Mushrooming

Learn about Alaska’s remarkable mushroom diversity, the pioneering scientists who first documented it, and the story behind the recently published Mushrooms of Alaska.

Dr. Ari Jumpponen – Fire & Fungi

Join Dr. Ari Jumpponen as he explores the relationship between fire and fungi and discover why certain mushrooms—including morels—often make an appearance after a burn. This presentation will change the way you think about fire and the hidden world beneath your feet.

Dr. Dawn Pauling – Ticks & Tick-borne Diseases: Prevention and Safety

Dr. Pauling will discuss the most common ticks found in our region, the diseases they can carry, and staying safe in the woods.

Hands-on Workshops

Practical Agar: Affordable Mushroom Cultivation at Home ($15) – Nathan Athans

Learn how to make agar using affordable equipment and practical methods that can be done right in your own kitchen. We’ll cover pouring plates, transferring cultures, preventing contamination, and building confidence with one of the most useful skills in mushroom cultivation.

Photography Workshop ($25) – Sarah DeLong-Duhon

Whether you’re documenting mushrooms for identification or creating stunning nature photography, Sarah will share tips on lighting, composition, perspective, and camera settings that will immediately improve your photos. Bring your phone or your favorite camera and practice alongside an award-winning fungal photographer.

Intro to Block Printing ($30) – Bre Davis

Create your own mushroom-inspired artwork from start to finish. Design a fungi-themed image, carve your printing block, roll ink, and print onto paper or fabric. Bring a tote bag, T-shirt, or patch—or use the materials provided—and leave with both a finished project and your own carving kit to continue creating at home.

Workshop registration is required, and class sizes are limited. Workshop sign-up takes place during event registration on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to reserve your spot early.

UV Table Talk

See fungi in a whole new light! We’ll shine UV lights on a variety of mushrooms to see which species fluoresce, which don’t, and discuss the science, theories, and mysteries behind these fascinating reactions.

MycoMarket

Bring mushroom books, artwork, handmade crafts, spore prints, field gear, nature finds, or anything mushroom-related to trade with fellow attendees.

Nothing to trade? No worries. We’ll have a handful of vendors offering unique mushroom and nature-inspired items, so you can pick up something to trade—or keep for yourself. If you are attending BFF and would like to be a vendor, contact  Brittany Martinez for more information.

MycoMingle

Kick off the weekend on Thursday night by meeting fellow mushroom enthusiasts over appetizers and good conversation.

Interactive Weekend Challenge

Throughout the weekend, you can use our event app to earn points by checking in at activities, uploading photos of your mushroom finds, completing fun challenges, and participating in special tasks around camp.

Dessert Competition

Bring your favorite homemade dessert. Mushroom-themed creations are encouraged (but not required). Everyone samples the desserts, votes for their favorites, and helps decide who takes home this year’s bragging rights.

Potluck Meals and Community

Enjoy community potlucks, shared meals, and one of our favorite traditions—a delicious Kansas City Chapter BBQ.

Bonfires Every Night

Kid-Friendly Activities

Future mycologists are always welcome! Throughout the weekend we’ll have activities designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for fungi and nature.

Lodging & Registration Options

• Shared bunkhouse lodging
• 
• On-site tent camping (no electric hook ups)
• Commuter passes if you are staying close by or RV camping
  • RV camping is available at the Knob Noster State Park Campground, located just a few minutes from camp. RV sites must be reserved separately through Missouri State Parks and are not included with Brad’s Fall Foray registration.
• Day passes are available for both Friday and Saturday

Come spend the weekend with us!

Brad’s Fall Foray is about mushrooms and more. It’s about exploring the woods, learning something new, sharing great meals, making new friends, and catching up with old friends.

Last day to register is September 11, 2026.

We’ll see you this September at Knob Noster State Park!

If you have any questions, please contact Brittany Martinez

 

Please take note of the following: No pets or firearms and our new Refund policy

 

Additional Information:
Mycorrhizal Market

Packing list (coming soon!)

Itinerary (coming soon!)

 

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