Growing Mushrooms for Profit

Rating:
Summary: So, you want to start a mushroom farm.
Review: Beware. This "book" is more like an attempt at an informational news column. The format is not dissimilar to that of an ambitious student's term paper (do not be fooled into thinking you are getting a professionally printed spiral bound book) and the content is vague and often incorrect (not to mention the atrocious grammar and spelling...get and editor or proofreader, please). If you want to start a mushroom farm, start by devouring "Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms", then back it up with some serious small business reading (I suggest searching "starting your own business"). A business is a business, and aside from some subtle differences they are all the same and need a solid plan and honest accounting to work; learn how to run a business before you start constructing your farm. Good luck!

Rating:
Summary: So, you want to start a mushroom farm.
Review: Beware. This "book" is more like an attempt at an informational news column. The format is not dissimilar to that of an ambitious student's term paper (do not be fooled into thinking you are getting a professionally printed spiral bound book) and the content is vague and often incorrect (not to mention the atrocious grammar and spelling...get and editor or proofreader, please). If you want to start a mushroom farm, start by devouring "Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms", then back it up with some serious small business reading (I suggest searching "starting your own business"). A business is a business, and aside from some subtle differences they are all the same and need a solid plan and honest accounting to work; learn how to run a business before you start constructing your farm. Good luck!

Rating:
Summary: honest, non-objective
Review: This book contains a world of information. It really covers everything that I hoped it would, and more. It is well written and easy to understand. The pictures are full color and photo quality. I do believe that I can move forward and start my own business growing specialty mushrooms. The section on marketing is great. I know that I can sell whatever mushrooms I grow.

Rating:
Summary: Practical and Simple- But A Bit Pricey
Review: Warren and Suzanne Kilby's book Growing Mushrooms for Profit is a brief yet nonetheless welcome addition to the library of aspiring mushroom cultivators. Their small, 112 page text covers the basics of business and economics associated with mushroom cultivation. However, the focus of the text is largely on shiitake mushroom cultivation, and as such, should be more appropriately titled 'Growing Shiitake Mushrooms for Profit'. As such, the text shows you how to set up a small shiitake farm, and includes some handy tips about how not to get taken by unscrupulous customers. Throughout the text, the Kilbys emphasize many of the fundamental aspects of running a mushroom business, from devisig a business plan to determining the production schedule to drawing up customer invoices and credit applications. Thus, the Kilbys tell the reader nothing about mushroom cultivation techniques per se, but give a fair amount of practical information on the business and economic aspects of shiitake farming to those who may be considering setting up a small cultivation operation.

However, the book does have a considerable number of flaws. The text needs considerable spell-checking as there were typos and incorrect words on almost every page. The book's binding makes it look more like a manual, course reader or a student report that was formatted in MS word and bulk printed at a copy shop than an actual book. More importantly, the book confuses income with revenue- it gives a sample calculation of shiitake farm revenue based on hypothetical wholesale prices which the authors in turn offer to the reader as 'income'. Furthermore, though a fantastic number for revenue/income is given in the text, the Kilbys offer no information on costs- whether for starting up the mushroom farm or for production- leaving the reader unable to perform a good analysis of the mushroom farm as a business from the standpoint of profitability. In addition, although the large type bold font (14 point Times New Roman) makes the book easy to read, the astute and critical reader can easily see that it is actually a cover for a lack of detailed information. Moreover, the book seems to be slanted towards the small farmer, ignoring the hobbyist. The authors make assumptions that exclusively favor someone with spare land and unused facilities/structures. Thus, they severely limit not only the book's audience but also its practical utility. Finally and most importantly, the book does not help the reader in making a detailed market assessment, as this not only determines whether or not one should enter the mushroom business in one's particular area/region, but also determines the potential level of profitability.

Yet, despite its more glaring flaws, the book offers much to those who seek to get into the (shiitake) mushroom cultivation business. The book earns its first star (and this reviewer's respect) by emphasizing the need for and importance of a business plan. Additionally, the authors earn their second and third stars by imparting information in an honest and upfront manner free of unnecessary complexity and intelligent sounding technobabble. Interested readers of all levels of knowledge and ability will find not only a fair amount of practical and useful information but also a heavy dose of motivation and inspiration in this book. In conclusion, for those individuals who know little or nothing about mushroom cultivation, have spare land and facilities, and are considering getting into the business, this book is a pricey but nonetheless good investment.

Rating:
Summary: Practical and Simple- But A Bit Pricey
Review: Warren and Suzanne Kilby's book Growing Mushrooms for Profit is a brief yet nonetheless welcome addition to the library of aspiring mushroom cultivators. Their small, 112 page text covers the basics of business and economics associated with mushroom cultivation. However, the focus of the text is largely on shiitake mushroom cultivation, and as such, should be more appropriately titled 'Growing Shiitake Mushrooms for Profit'. As such, the text shows you how to set up a small shiitake farm, and includes some handy tips about how not to get taken by unscrupulous customers. Throughout the text, the Kilbys emphasize many of the fundamental aspects of running a mushroom business, from devisig a business plan to determining the production schedule to drawing up customer invoices and credit applications. Thus, the Kilbys tell the reader nothing about mushroom cultivation techniques per se, but give a fair amount of practical information on the business and economic aspects of shiitake farming to those who may be considering setting up a small cultivation operation.

However, the book does have a considerable number of flaws. The text needs considerable spell-checking as there were typos and incorrect words on almost every page. The book's binding makes it look more like a manual, course reader or a student report that was formatted in MS word and bulk printed at a copy shop than an actual book. More importantly, the book confuses income with revenue- it gives a sample calculation of shiitake farm revenue based on hypothetical wholesale prices which the authors in turn offer to the reader as 'income'. Furthermore, though a fantastic number for revenue/income is given in the text, the Kilbys offer no information on costs- whether for starting up the mushroom farm or for production- leaving the reader unable to perform a good analysis of the mushroom farm as a business from the standpoint of profitability. In addition, although the large type bold font (14 point Times New Roman) makes the book easy to read, the astute and critical reader can easily see that it is actually a cover for a lack of detailed information. Moreover, the book seems to be slanted towards the small farmer, ignoring the hobbyist. The authors make assumptions that exclusively favor someone with spare land and unused facilities/structures. Thus, they severely limit not only the book's audience but also its practical utility. Finally and most importantly, the book does not help the reader in making a detailed market assessment, as this not only determines whether or not one should enter the mushroom business in one's particular area/region, but also determines the potential level of profitability.

Yet, despite its more glaring flaws, the book offers much to those who seek to get into the (shiitake) mushroom cultivation business. The book earns its first star (and this reviewer's respect) by emphasizing the need for and importance of a business plan. Additionally, the authors earn their second and third stars by imparting information in an honest and upfront manner free of unnecessary complexity and intelligent sounding technobabble. Interested readers of all levels of knowledge and ability will find not only a fair amount of practical and useful information but also a heavy dose of motivation and inspiration in this book. In conclusion, for those individuals who know little or nothing about mushroom cultivation, have spare land and facilities, and are considering getting into the business, this book is a pricey but nonetheless good investment.