08/08/2026
Today, another post highlighting someone crucial to the writing of “Foraging Mushrooms of the Ozarks” is about the king of Ozarks foraging, our great friend, author Bo Brown!
I met Bo at my second Ozarks Homesteading Expo, back in 2022. I had spent the previous year trying to get out there and talk about mushrooms with anyone willing to listen. I had read Bo’s book Foraging the Ozarks and I wanted to be sure and take advantage of the chance to meet him. I walked up to his table where he was signing books and said, “Hi, I’m Mike. I know a lot about mushrooms. We should do something cool together!” I’ll never forget the way his eyes lit up and he said, “I love mushrooms and that sounds like something we should do!” I got his contact info and felt really encouraged that someone of his lofty stature had been excited to meet me.
Fast forward about two years and by then Bo and I had done numerous events together, including lots of plant and mushroom walks around the state, which have been very well received. We’ve developed an easy rapport that makes for a memorable experience when the two of us get into the woods together. It was when he spent the night right here at our homestead after one of these walks that we gave him some mushroom coffee. He was drinking it during a phone call with his publisher at Falcon Guides a short while later when that got their conversation on the topic of mushrooms. Bo told him that he knew a guy who could probably write a great book on Ozarks mushrooms – ME! This conversation between the two of them is why I got a book contract.
I spoke to the publisher on the phone just a few days later and after about fifteen minutes of my fungal fanaticism funneling into his ears it was apparent to him that I was the real deal. I was offered a book contract on the spot. He had already checked me out before the call and saw that I had built a reputation as a regional mushroom “expert” and that, along with our conversation and Bo’s strong recommendation, had sealed the deal!
Bo, you’ve been such a fantastic friend to me, and I can’t thank you enough for all your help along the way of this crazy mushroom journey I’m on. Just being the down-to-earth, genuine human being that you are has impacted me immensely, and I’m certainly not the only one. You’re a true legend and I’m proud to have you as a friend!
