Basidia Farms: Boise’s One-of-a-Kind Urban Mushroom Farm 

In the heart of Boise, tucked away in a quiet warehouse, something incredible is growing — literally. Basidia Farms, owned and operated by Cory Ramsey, is the Treasure Valley’s only urban organic mushroom farm, and it’s quickly becoming a hidden gem for gourmet mushroom lovers across the valley. 

Cory, a former employee turned entrepreneur, has created a fully self-contained, year-round farm producing some of the most sought-after organic mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, King Trumpets, Chestnuts, and a variety of Oysters. But don’t picture sprawling fields. Here, the future of farming is vertical, misty, and highly technical — all happening indoors. 

How It Works: A Farm Inside Four Walls 

Step inside Basidia Farms, and you’ll find rows of large steel barrels, high-tech humidifiers, and neat stacks of misting fruiting chambers. Every step of the mushroom-growing process is meticulously controlled. It starts with oak and soy pellets, which Cory processes into 12-pound bags of substrate. These bags are steamed at 200 degrees to sterilize them, cooled for several days, and then moved into a lab where they are inoculated with organic liquid cultures.  

From there, the mycelium (the root-like structure of mushrooms) spreads throughout the bags, turning them snowy white. Once fully colonized, they are “cold shocked” in a cooler area to trigger fruiting, slit open for air exposure, misted carefully, and moved into fruiting chambers where the mushrooms finally grow out. 

 The whole system is a dance between temperature, humidity, and airflow — all to recreate the perfect outdoor environment inside a controlled, year-round facility. 

“This is what you call an urban farm,” Cory says. “I’m not on acres of land. I’m doing it all indoors, and I can grow no matter the season — rain, snow, or shine.” 

A One-Man Organic Powerhouse  

Currently, Cory is selling directly to the public at local farmers markets across the Treasure Valley. “Right now, farmers markets make the most sense because I can sell retail,” he explains. “Later, in the off-season from October to May, I’ll supply to restaurants once I have more volume.”  

Basidia Farms is already starting to supply co-ops in Meridian and Boise with gourmet varieties. Plans are in place to expand into direct sales to local restaurants looking for high-quality organic mushrooms — especially popular Lion’s Mane, known for its health benefits and incredible culinary texture. 

And Cory is doing it the right way: clean, organic, and vegan. He’s currently finishing his USDA Organic Certification — a huge milestone that sets Basidia Farms apart. 

Big Goals for the Future 

This isn’t just a short-term venture. Cory has a bold vision for Basidia Farms: 

• Self-sustainability first — being able to fully cover costs and hire staff. 

• Educational tours for high schools and colleges to inspire future urban farmers. 

• On-site commercial kitchen approval for dehydrating and processing mushrooms into premium products like Lion’s Mane powder — a booming market for health and wellness enthusiasts. 

• Expansion into medicinal mushrooms like Reishi, Cordyceps, and Turkey Tail for specialty supplements and blends. 

“There’s huge potential,” Cory says. “When you dehydrate and powder mushrooms, the value quadruples — plus, they’re shelf stable for years without additives. It’s all about staying pure and organic.”  

The Future is Fungi 

While most mushroom farms are rural and seasonal, Basidia Farms is proving you can grow gourmet mushrooms in the middle of the city — sustainably, organically, and innovatively. In just a few years, Cory could easily become a major supplier not just for Treasure Valley restaurants and consumers, but for health and wellness brands across the country. 

For now, Boise gets to keep this secret a little longer — fresh Lion’s Mane, Pearl Oyster, King Trumpets, and Chestnuts, straight from Basidia Farms to your farmers market basket.