Today on Mushroom Hour we have the humbling privilege to speak with Tom Volk, Professor of Biology at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Specializing in Mycology and Forest Pathology, Tom teaches courses on Mycology, Medical Mycology, Plant-Microbe Interactions, Food & Industrial Mycology, Advanced Mycology, Organismal Biology and Latin & Greek for Scientists. His website, Tom Volk's Fungi has a popular "Fungus of the Month" feature, and an extensive introduction to Queendom Fungi. Besides dabbling in mushroom cultivation, Tom has worked intimately with the genera Morchella, Cantharellus, Hydnellum, Armillaria and Laetiporus, a lineup of edible varieties that will make every forager’s mouth water. He has also embarked on several medical mycology projects, investigations into prairie mycorrhizae, mycoprospecting, and fungi that are involved in coal formation. He also has conducted fungal biodiversity studies in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Alaska, and Israel. Having lectured in 35 states so far, Tom is a popular speaker at many amateur and professional mycological events throughout North America, including NAMA and NEMF forays. Not the least of his accolades, Tom was named President of the Mycology Society of America in 2017. Topics Covered:An Obsession with Mycology is bornForest PathologyPrimary & Secondary MetabolitesEvolutionary Origins of MetabolitesMycotoxinsAflatoxinIs Organic Produce More Susceptible to Mycotoxins?Aspergillus, Penicillium and FusariumFuture of Mycelium-based foodsLifecycle of Morel MushroomsMedicinal Compounds in MushroomsCitizen MycologyMycology in AcademiaFungi in Coal FormationsEpisode Resources:Tom Volk Website: https://www.uwlax.edu/profile/tvolk/Tom Volk's Fungi: http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/Aspergillus flavas (fungi): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspergillus_flavusBoletus frostii (mushroom): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exsudoporus_frostiiChanterelle (mushroom): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanterelle