Dean Smith's Oyster Mushroom Farm
Dean Smith's Oyster Mushroom Farm
By Luke Bowden
05 June, 2018
Dean Smith's Oyster Mushroom Farm
Dean Smith's Oyster Mushroom Farm
By Luke Bowden
05 June, 2018
Dean Smith's Oyster Mushroom Farm
Dean Smith's Oyster Mushroom Farm
By Luke Bowden
05 June, 2018
Dean Smith's Oyster Mushroom Farm
Dean Smith's Oyster Mushroom Farm
By Luke Bowden
05 June, 2018
Dean Smith's Oyster Mushroom Farm
Dean Smith's Oyster Mushroom Farm
By Luke Bowden
05 June, 2018
Dean Smith's Oyster Mushroom Farm
Dean Smith's Oyster Mushroom Farm
By Luke Bowden
05 June, 2018
HIDDEN under the surface at Mt Rumney on Hobart’s Eastern Shore is a unique growing operation, a disused 1891 railway tunnel that now produces premium food.
Dean and Anita Smith are cultivating oyster mushrooms and Mr Smith is also growing several varieties of white, grey and tan mushrooms.
Mr Smith, a former electrician, said he started “tinkering” with mushrooms in the subterranean space about 10 years ago.
“The last three years I’ve started taking it seriously to get to a commercial size. I am a one-man show. I do it all, and I love it,” Mr Smith said.
“I love the science behind growing mushrooms, it's an all-consuming occupation.

“Everything I grow I sell to local restaurants. I plan to increase yield and expand the business, the whole place has huge potential.”

Tunnel Hill Mushrooms was a state winner in Deliciousmagazine’s food awards and is up for national honours in August.
Mr Dean said he had been nominated by chefs from the restaurants he supplies.
Mr Smith’s tunnel, 12m under the surface, maintains a temperature of about 13C to 14C all year.
He uses 60m near the entrance of the 160m long tunnel, which was used for trains from 1892 to 1926, linking the suburb of Bellerive with Sorell.
“It doesn’t change from summer to winter, the humidity is naturally high at 60 per cent, but with the mushrooms I ramp that up to 90 per cent,” Mr Smith said.
He said oyster mushrooms were winter lovers and happy in 2C to 3C. 


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