When Zachary Pruitt started growing mushrooms in his spare time during the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020, he had no idea it would turn into a full-blown business. Now, his company Boosted Organics is making waves across western Kentucky with its range of gourmet and medicinal mushrooms.
“It all started as a way to pass the time,” Pruitt said. “I was just goofing around with mushrooms and began making these medicinal extracts that really fueled my workouts and improved my health. I saw a lot of value in that, so I started growing more.”
What began as a hobby soon developed into a passion. Pruitt fell in love with the process of cultivating mushrooms and decided to explore the specialty mushroom market. Boosted Organics now produces seven different varieties, including lion’s mane and multiple types of oyster mushrooms.
“These specialty mushrooms are not only healthy to eat but also hard to find,” he said. “We grow four gourmet varieties that are great for cooking and three medicinal types. Most are oysters, which are all cousins to one another.”
Boosted Organics has been in business for more than 2 years and operates in Owensboro, Beaver Dam, and Bowling Green markets. The farm also sells products at events and online to reach a wider audience.
One of their unique offerings is mushroom jerky, a marinated and dehydrated product that quickly became a customer favorite.
“People were like, ‘Hey, I’ve never heard of this,’ and I’d just give them a bag to try. They kept coming back for more,” Pruitt said.
The mushrooms are grown indoors year-round in a fully automated grow room. Pruitt explained the process: spores from the mushrooms are cultivated in a lab and grown into a culture, then injected into sterilized jars of organic millet. After several trials and errors, Pruitt discovered that to make the mushrooms grow, they must be “tricked” into thinking they were growing on natural materials. He uses sawdust and coffee grounds to simulate nature.
Pruitt added that the health benefits of Boosted Organics’ mushrooms are a big part of their appeal. He said the gourmet mushrooms are low in calories, high in protein, and have anti-inflammatory properties. Lion’s mane, in particular, is known for its ability to stimulate the growth of new brain cells and help with conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia, he explained.
“We’re passionate about showing people how mushrooms can be both tasty and beneficial for their health,” Pruitt said.
For those interested in cultivating their own mushrooms, Boosted Organics offers a 90-day coaching program and sells grow bags that make it easy to grow mushrooms at home.
As Pruitt continues to expand his business, he’s excited to share the benefits of mushrooms with more people. Click here for more information about Boosted Organics.
“I love that we’re able to offer something unique and healthy. It’s a game changer for sure,” he said.
This story is sponsored by Independence Bank.
