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Senate advances bill to designate Hericium americanum as Vermont's state mushroom
Summary
H.664, proposed by students and presented on the floor, would name Hericium americanum (bear's head tooth) Vermont's official state mushroom; the sponsor cited ecological value, cultivation potential and industry economic estimates and the committee reported the bill out unanimously.
Senator from Chittenden North presented H.664 on second reading, saying the bill would designate Hericium americanum, commonly called the bear's head tooth, as Vermont's state mushroom.
"This bill proposes to designate the Hericium americanum, commonly known as the bear's head tooth, as the state mushroom of Vermont," the senator said, noting the suggestion came from students at Windham Elementary School and the Compass School in Westminster.
The sponsor described ecological and economic benefits, saying witnesses told the committee that certain fungi are native to the region, can be cultivated or foraged in the wild, and can offer both ecological services and market opportunities. The senator cited industry estimates reported to the committee, including an estimate that the U.S. mushroom market was over $4 billion in 2022 and a prediction it could more than double by 2030; the senator also referenced an American Mushroom Institute estimate of economic impact per pound.
The agriculture committee reported H.664 out favorably (committee vote recorded as 5‑0) and the Senate ordered third reading. The bill's text designates Hericium americanum and states the act would take effect on passage.
Next steps: H.664 has been ordered to third reading for consideration on a future day.
