rhyze Mushrooms co-op
Edinburgh’s Community Mushroom and Worm Farm
Founded in 2020 by a collective of neurodivergent and queer climate justice activists, Rhyze is a working farm and education project. As part of a global movement for agroecology, we work with decomposing fungi and worms to repurpose waste, improve soil health and empower communities.
Our Mushroom Farm
In 2021, we built our first mushroom farm inside a 40 ft shipping container at the Forge in Fountainbridge. After moving to Lauriston Farm in 2024, we designed and built a custom polytunnel that harnesses Scotland’s unique climate to dramatically reduce the impact of our mushroom cultivation. With the help of volunteers we grow our mushrooms on 100% local business and agricultural waste.
Our Worm Farm
By the end of 2026, we will be home to around a million composting worms who will transform our spent mushroom substrate into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Worms help our farm to decompose and recycle even more local business waste like spent coffee grounds and brewers’ grains that make for excellent worm feed. In collaboration with the growers at Edinburgh Agroecology Co-op, we are conducting trials to investigate how worm castings added to potting media affect propagation.
our Online course
Mushroom Alchemy: A Foundation in DIY Oyster Mushroom Cultivation is our online course covering everything you need to know to grow Oyster mushrooms from different kinds of waste using circular and low impact cultivation methods.
We offer a wide range of bookable services including consultations, mushroom cultivation workshops, foraging walks and away days for students and faculty teams. If you already know what you’re after you can fill out this form, or you can find out more information here.
Work with us
Collaborations
From building micro-mushroom farms for community cafes, to inoculating statues with oyster mushrooms for the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens, we have collaborated on some truly fun and exciting projects with organisations across Scotland.
“The Rhyze team have shown an unfailing commitment to education and sustainability as well as inclusion, accessibility and enjoyment. I’m so appreciative of the welcoming, community-centred spirit of Rhyze and the transparency and openness of their organisation.”
— Laura, Workshop Participant & Volunteer
Our Tinctures
Our dual extracted 1:4 tinctures are made from the fruiting bodies of sustainably foraged Scottish Chaga and Lion’s Mane that we grow on our farm in Edinburgh. If you’re looking for a brain boost or to super charge your immune system, look no further! Each bottle of tincture that we sell supports our mission to build a radically different food system.