Hootin’ and Hollerin’ with Expert Mushroom Forager Whitney Johnson

Go Forth and Forage: A Guide Unlike the Others

When I received my copy of Go Forth and Forage by Whitney Johnson, a few things immediately stood out. First, this isn’t your typical mushroom field guide. It’s written in a down-to-earth manner and in the exact way someone from the South speaks. Second, it’s laugh-out-loud funny, which is so refreshing when you consider how stale foraging guides can be. Finally, it’s easy to follow and relatable. Whitney says herself that she’s not fancy; she openly admits to making mistakes and includes you on her journey every step of the way, helping aspiring ‘mountain mycologists’ gain confidence in their abilities to forage successfully.  The book is also beautifully photographed and features Whitney in all her glory out in the woods. 

“I always say the woods are my church,” Whitney tells me during our chat together, which you can watch below. “I love being outside, and you know, you’re not always promised a big honk and haul of mushrooms every time that you go out. That’s a nice little bonus to have, but honestly, I don’t need that. Just to be able to get out and hike and be in Nature; that in itself is just so freakin’ good for the soul. The best medicine that I could ever prescribe to anybody is to get outside.”

Watch Garden Culture’s Interview with Whitney Johnson 

Watch my interview with Whitney Johnson; you’ll learn about hootin’ and hollerin’, fiddle farting, and getting willy-nilly with it. More importantly, you’ll hear about some of her most memorable mushroom hauls, what she believes to be the world’s tastiest mushroom, and get some incredible foraging tips so that you can channel you’re inner mountain mycologist and join the ‘Shroom Boom.