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...mushroom growers understand and improve mushroom production. Memories of the early Short Courses are vivid, emotions are strong and appreciation is clear. As we prepare to attend this year's program, let's take a moment to remember the history, recognize the accomplishments and look ahead to the future of the Short Course from the perspectives of industry veterans, researchers, graduate students and AMI officials, some of whom have been there from the start.
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THE BEGINNING
Dr. Leon Kneebone was the General Chairman of the Short Course for the first 22 years. He remembered how the idea for the Short Course came about. "I was a student of Dr. James W. Sinden. He was my major professor and was an exceptional scientist. I was interested in research but I was primarily a teacher and wanted to share information and give the industry some opportunity for input. With the help of Pennsylvania County Extension agents in the mushroom areas, I started grower meetings in Chester, Berks, Butler, and Monroe counties and got big turnouts - sometimes 50 or more growers. We invited all the smaller growers to attend. We met them in their back yard and then, seeing a need, put together a program at Penn State. Dr. David McClay, head of the Short Course office, was instrumental in getting the program off the ground. His successor, Dr. Fred Snyder, continued the program and was involved in about 30 of the Short Courses.
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It's important to mention that AMI was always a partner with the Short Course. There was an AMI liaison committee who worked with us on the program. When dollars were scarce, AMI under-wrote a graduate assistant-ship on the mushroom production project with a grant of $2,000 annually which was later increased to $3,000."
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The 1st Mushroom Short Course was held in July 1956. The head-line declared "Growers Enthusiastic with Penn State Mushroom Course (A.M.I. News, July-August, 1956)." Vincent Leo, AMI President at the time, addressed the first session. "I greet you and congratulate you on your attendance at this Short Course in mushroom growing, sponsored by this great university and proudly assisted by the American Mushroom Institute." AMI, he explained, was dedicated to two major projects, research and distribution. "Penn State has contributed in various ways to help the mushroom industry. Now with a united AMI far greater things in research and more profitable distribution are in store for all of us."
According to newspaper reports, the four-day mushroom program brought 165 growers from the United States, England and Canada for the first course of its kind held anywhere in the world. Attendance at the mushroom Short Course was the largest ever presented by the university. As many as 50 growers had to be turned away because there wasn't enough room in the laboratories Many signed up on the spot so they could be sure to get in for the next program.
"Prior to the Short Course, many treated mushroom growing as a skill. The early growers didn't recognize the science involved," said Charlie Brosius, Marlboro Mushrooms. "During the sessions in the lab, you could all of a sudden look under a microscope and see things growing in your compost. The Short Course opened a door to...
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