Taking a fungi class at UW

 

Have you ever had someone make a suggestion that you weren’t quite sure about at the time? Over the last few years working at the college, many of my close friends retired, and more than a few suggested that I should do the same. They talked about how well retirement was working for them and how, in some cases, they were making nearly the same—if not more—income than when they were working.

When my wife and I finally decided it might be time, we met with a financial advisor. After reviewing our financial records, they showed us how retirement could actually be advantageous. It became clear that it was time to start “making memories,” as they put it—while we were both healthy and able to do the things we wanted, without waiting too long and risking health issues that can come later in life. So far, those early suggestions from our friends have proven to be absolutely true.

The next great suggestion came from my wife, Sara—and this one fit my personality perfectly. Sara has a friend who has been auditing courses at the University of Wisconsin. The best part? If you are 60 years or older, you can audit certain university courses for free. That was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

I enrolled in Biology of the Fungi, and I have to admit—it’s been a fascinating class. I probably need a Latin dictionary to get through some of it, but I’m learning a great deal. The reading list for the class (which is designed for graduate students) has led me to some incredibly interesting websites, TED Talks, and podcasts.

One TED Talk that really stood out was by Suzanne Simard: How Trees Talk to Each Other
https://www.ted.com/talks/suzanne_simard_how_trees_talk_to_each_other

It was a fascinating exploration of how trees and other life forms communicate, support one another, and create symbiotic relationships. You have to rethink what “communication” means—not spoken language or hand signals, but interactions through mycelium beneath the soil. Tree root systems feed the hyphae in the rhizosphere, while fungi break down organic matter (saprophytic) and help plants absorb nutrients (mycorrhizal). Those nutrients are then shared through interconnected root systems with other plants.

Simard described how “mother trees” will feed struggling saplings and even adjust their root structures to give younger trees more space to grow. In some cases, saplings related to the mother tree received more nutrients than others. What’s remarkable is that this process doesn’t harm the plant. Instead, it’s a true partnership: plants provide sugars to the mycelium, and the mycelium supplies nutrients in return. This symbiotic relationship can span vast areas—mycelial networks covering up to 10 kilometers have been documented in Oregon. You can even see hyphae yourself; they appear as white fibers on rotting fruit like strawberries or tomatoes.

Another resource I enjoyed was the podcast The Hidden Kingdom of Fungi: Exploring the Microscopic World in Our Forests, Homes, and Bodies by Keith Seifert.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiNs8PgiYhU

While the visuals in the YouTube version may seem a bit “far out,” the conversation itself is deeply engaging. Topics discussed include:

• Descending into the Hidden Kingdom

• Spectrum of Symbioses

• The Lives of Endophytes

• Holobionts

• Fungi and Human Agriculture

• Mycotoxins

• Ancient History of Fungal Domestication (Beer, Bread, and Cheese)

• The Rot-to-Fermentation Continuum

• Invasive Species, Biopiracy, and Biocolonialism

• Human Houses as Ecosystems

• Mold Colonies in Our Homes

• Dandruff, Candida, and Fungi in the Human Microbiome

• Amphibian Apocalypse

• A World Powered by Fungi

Interestingly, the podcast also mentioned something I’ve actually made before: koji. That was the moment I knew there was a reason I decided to audit this class—and attend that lecture.