On today’s THE FOOD SEEN, author Eugenia Bone shares her revelations from the weird world of mushrooms in her book, Mycophilia. You’ll learn how to start foraging fungi through groups like the NY Mycological Society (of which she’s President), and how to best understand and respect it’s omnipresence. At an estimated 1.5 million species, fungi is second only to incests in it’s number and diversity, yet only 5% have been identified. It outnumbers plants by a ratio of 6:1, makes up 25% of the Earth’s biomass, and is the biggest single living organism at 2,220 acres in size, weighing over 6 tons, living in the Malheur National Forest in the Blue Mountains of Oregon. Fungi is not just a mushroom joke anymore. This program has been brought to you by Whole Foods.

"Insects and fungi, in terms of diversity, are the dominant complex lifeforms."

"There's never been a plant on land that hasn't had a fungus living in it or on it."

-- Eugenia Bone on THE FOOD SEEN

Anastasia is back on Greenhorn Radio! Anastasia started her career as a seasonal agricultural worker at the age of 17 when a series of fateful events led her to the blueberry barrens of Downeast Maine. She raked berries every year for the next 8 years, and also did some apple picking, morel mushroom hunting, and tree-planting which eventually became her primary occupation. This lifestyle kept her on the road for the better part of 13 years and enabled her to become intimate with many parts of the country. She has been based out of Tucson, AZ (the city of her birth) for the past 10 years where her home has evolved into an urban, desert farm. Anastasia has just earned a degree in Rangeland Ecology and Management from the University of Arizona. She is looking forward to integrating her experiences and skills in ways that will help to produce food and other products from the land while sustaining and enhancing natural and cultural resources. This program has been sponsored by Hearst Ranch.

"People don't control the agricultural system anymore, and the only way I can see to take it back is on the grassroots level." -- Anastasia Rabin on Greenhorn Radio

Jimmy Carbone is talking about the Freaktoberfest beer festival with a room full of guests on this week's Beer Sessions Radio. Pat Fondiller, one of the founders of Freaktoberfest and Field Sales Manager for Smuttynose Brewing Company, is in the house talking about the origins of the New York City beer festival. Pat brings some great Smuttynose brews to share with the gang; hear about some great seasonals from Smuttynose! Albert Antonucci, owner of Greenwood Park, is also in the studio and talking about hosting Freaktoberfest at his bar and beer garden. Hear from Tim Traynor, the Brand Manager for Founders Brewery. Founders is launching its Breakfast Stout on September 21st, so make sure to try it when it becomes available! Tim also talks about beer and food pairings, as well as the Founders beers at Freaktoberfest. Finally, hear from Matt Polacheck, the man behind all of Shmaltz Brewing's crazy designs. This episode has been brought to you by GreatBrewers.com.

"We wanted to make it a party with a beer festival attached to it, rather than a beer festival with some entertainment in the background. Over the years, I think we've really honed in on what we've wanted to do, and it's become a blast." -- Matt Polacheck on Beer Sessions Radio