Welcome to our 2024 speaker page! Get ready for inspiring insights and transformative discussions with our exceptional lineup. This year promises innovative themes and visionary ideas to ignite your curiosity.

Tanner Hammond

Mark Hainds

Mark was raised as the sixth generation on a Missouri farm. He secured a BS in Forestry Management from the University of Missouri, and an MS in Forest Biology from Auburn. He was the first science graduate from the Jones Ecological Research Center in southwest Georgia. He became a Research Associate with Auburn University and the first employee of the Longleaf Alliance, holding these dual positions for twenty years before resigning to walk the Texas-Mexico border. Mark returned to work as the Forestry Instructor at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, and he became the first person to walk the entire US-Mexico Border in 2017. He published two books (Year of the Pig and Border Walk) and is the subject of the movie La Frontera. Mark and his family are fifteen-year vendors at the Palafox Market in Pensacola where they sell mushrooms, herbs, vegetables, fruits, and specialty wood products. Mark
inoculates approximately 1,000-1,500 logs annually with multiple species and strains of mushrooms. He also forages several dozen species of wild mushrooms for personal use and sale.

Taylor Hayes

Nurse Taylor Hayes is a board-certified mental health nurse practitioner with over ten years of health care experience. Taylor was awarded the “Our Hero” award from the state of Alabama for her nursing work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Taylor founded the International Association of Psychedelic Nursing. She is an advocate for de-scheduling nature, the recognition of the medicinal value of psychedelics, and improved access to medical treatment options. Taylor was the first woman recognized as an Alabama state mushroom identification expert. She assists her husband, Allen, with the operation of Fungi Farm and the Alabama Mushroom Association.

Allen Carroll

Allen is a mushroom educator, laboratory operator, and the owner of Fungi Farm. He studied crop, soil, and environmental science at Auburn University and served as president of Alabama Mushroom Society.  Allen is dedicated to mushroom research and works to provide high-quality products and services throughout the United States and internationally. He frequently leads educational seminars, workshops, classes, and forays. In addition to directing educational programs, he provides consulting for growers both large and small. He has published several articles on mushroom cultivation and also developed the first mushroom ID expert certification course in the state of Alabama.

Dr. Juan Luis Mata

Dr. Juan Luis Mata is an Associate Professor, and curator of the Fungarium, at the Biology Department of the University of South Alabama. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Mata’s broad interests are with the taxonomy, systematics, evolution and ecology of mushrooms. Some of his research projects are focused on American shiitake and other wood and leaf-litter decomposing mushrooms from the US Gulf Coast region and Caribbean basin. Mata was born in the U.S. and spent his childhood years in Guatemala. He attended high school in Costa Rica and stayed there for his B.S. and his M.S. degrees in Biology. His Master’s thesis focused on the taxonomy and ecology of Agaricales mushrooms in an oak forest on the slopes of Poás Volcano in Costa Rica. At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Mata’s Ph.D. dissertation examined fungal taxonomy and systematics of the mushroom genera Lentinula, Gymnopus, and Rhodocollybia from the Talamanca Mountains of Costa Rica. Mata uses traditional morphological studies in his research, coupled with molecular and computational methods. Such approaches have led to publication of several peer reviewed articles and the opportunity to work with students with whom he has several abstracts.

 Sam Blackstone

Sam Blackstone is an award-winning journalist, mushroom educator, certified wild forager and owner of Mindfull Mycology, a medicinal mushroom farm and extraction company nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. Operating out of a state licensed, FDA registered facility, Blackstone grows and extracts Reishi, Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, Maitake and Shiitake mushrooms using the latest ultrasonic extraction and vacuum distillation equipment to make some of the highest quality medicinal mushroom extracts in the United States.

Since 2019, Blackstone has also written, taught for and helped manage the Fungi Academy, a Guatemala-based fungal education center and community dedicated to spreading fungal wisdom via online courses and in-person retreats. He's excited to share his expertise and excitement about medicinal mushrooms, help people wade through an oversaturated market to distinguish quality from snake oil, and offer guidance on how to make your own mushroom supplements from the comfort of your kitchen.

Shaun Thompson

Shaun Thompson, owner of Seasonal Bites LLC, is a personal chef with a passionate emphasis on hyperlocal, homegrown, and wild-sourced foods. He believes the ingredients can speak for themselves as it conveys in his culinary style. Shaun loves to demonstrate all the natural substitutions available that one may hastily turn to the market for unnecessarily. As an avid wild mushroom hunter, he is naturally gifted with his ability to envision them in many dishes and forms and is eager to serve his inspiration to all.

Michael Wilson

Michael Wilson has been immersed in the world of entheogens since 2008, intertwining his journey with meditation and yoga since 2010. A permaculture designer and Reiki-certified practitioner, Michael's holistic approach to healing led him to explore the realm of wild foraged mushrooms in 2016, where he began crafting medicines from nature's bounty.

After completing an organic farm apprenticeship and yoga teacher training, Michael delved deeper into the world of medicinal mushrooms and plants. In 2021, his path led him to the profound healing potential of Amanita muscaria, sparking a transformative journey of personal healing and exploration.

Today, Michael runs a thriving business centered around medicinal mushrooms and plants, offering high-quality extractions and dried mushrooms to retail and wholesale customers worldwide. His offerings extend beyond products, as he provides one-on-one consultations, facilitates ceremonies, and leads workshops and lectures on the healing power of nature.

You can often find Michael sharing his knowledge and wares at mushroom festivals and other events, where he sets up his tinctures and non-alcoholic elixir bar. Supported by an incredible team who shares his passion, Michael is dedicated to bringing nature's medicine to those in need.

Amanita muscaria has become the focal point of Michael's journey, as he explores its various potencies, preparations, and species, delving deep into communion with the mushroom spirit. In addition to his work with mushrooms, Michael holds sacred space in diverse capacities, offering trauma support, harm reduction, energy healing, sacred song circles, medicine ceremonies, and teachings in Yoga and Qi Gong.

Michael's greatest joy lies in providing support and guidance to individuals on their healing journeys, believing that we all possess the innate ability to heal ourselves with a little support along the way.

Ben Raines

Ben Raines is an environmental journalist, filmmaker, and adventurer. In 2018, he discovered the wreck of the Clotilda, the last ship carrying enslaved Africans to arrive in the United States. His book, The Last Slave Ship – The True Story of How Clotilda Was Found, Her Descendants, and an Extraordinary Reckoning, details the discovery and the inspiring tale of the Clotida’s survivors. Raines is the Environmental Fellow -- Writer and Filmmaker in Residence at the University of South Alabama. His journalism has won dozens of awards for his coverage of environmental issues. He has co-authored several peer-reviewed papers published in scientific journals. He wrote and directed The Underwater Forest, an award-winning film about the exploration of a 70,000-year-old cypress forest found off the Alabama coast. Raines also wrote and produced the documentary America’s Amazon, which has aired on PBS stations around the country. His latest film, The Carnivorous Kingdom, premiered on Alabama Public Television in
2022. His underwater film work has appeared in documentaries on the Discovery Channel and National Geographic TV. Raines has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, The Today Show, Good Morning America, the BBC, England’s Channel 4, NBC Nightly News and the CBS Evening News. His journalism has appeared in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post. Raines also wrote the award-winning nature book, Saving America’s Amazon, and co-authored the book Heart of a Patriot with U.S. Sen. Max Cleland, which chronicled Cleland’s journey from triple amputee after a grenade accident in Vietnam to the U.S. Senate. Ben is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a degree in filmmaking, and is a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain, giving tours of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and Alabama’s barrier islands. He lives with his wife in Fairhope, Alabama, and aboard the Suzanne, an 82-year-old riverboat moored on the Tensaw River.

Michael Page

Page, a dedicated mushroom enthusiast, has been immersed in the world of fungi for over three years. In this time, he has earned a certification as a wild mushroom identification expert and is passionate about the multifaceted uses of mushrooms, from culinary delights to medicinal benefits. Hailing from Arkansas, Page was an avid outdoorsman from a young age, enjoying activities such as car racing and dirt biking. His love for nature eventually led him to discover a passion for mushroom foraging. Today, Page proudly owns and operates Page's Place Fresh Mushrooms in LaGrange, GA, where he shares his enthusiasm for fungi with the local community.

Kitti Cooper

Kitti Cooper is a passionate horticulturist, community leader, and entrepreneur dedicated to enriching Alabama's Gulf Coast through sustainable agriculture and education. As the owner of Cooper Farm Garden Center in Foley, AL, Kitti has built the largest selection of citrus trees in Alabama, specializing in fruit trees, native plants, and edible plants. Under her leadership, the center has been recognized as Baldwin County's Best Garden Center and Best Eco-Friendly Company in 2024.

Kitti's commitment to agriculture extends beyond her garden center. She owns and leads Cooper Farm alongside her husband Chase Cooper, the only USDA-certified citrus nursery in Alabama. This operation not only supplies her garden center but also serves local and national plant nurseries. Her extensive experience managing 13 acres of greenhouses and plant growing space demonstrates her deep expertise in plant cultivation and nursery management.

In addition to her work with Cooper Farm, Kitti founded Coopers Table, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to feeding the Gulf Coast with locally sourced food and providing gardening education. Through this organization, she collaborates with local nonprofits to establish orchards and garden beds for those in need, fostering a spirit of community and self-reliance.

Kitti also serves as the Alabama State Representative for the National Citrus Nursery Association, advocating for the advancement of citrus nurseries across the United States. Her role in the association underscores her dedication to the betterment of the citrus industry and her commitment to sharing knowledge and resources with fellow growers.

A strong advocate for women in agriculture, Kitti founded the South Alabama Homesteading Women group, which now boasts 5,000 members. This group provides a supportive network for women involved in agriculture and homesteading, offering annual meetups, plant and seed swaps, and volunteer opportunities to share knowledge and support one another.

Kitti's passion for gardening education is also evident in her writing. She pens a bi-weekly column, "Cultivating the Coast with Kitti Cooper," for Gulf Coast Media, where she shares organic gardening tips and lessons tailored to the Gulf Coast's unique environment.

Throughout her career, Kitti has been deeply involved in various community projects and volunteer work. She is a member of the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and a lead supervising volunteer for the Foley 4-H club. Her efforts extend to numerous local initiatives, including the Orange Beach State Park native pollinator garden, Gulf Shores middle and high school native gardens and orchard, and many more.

Kitti Cooper's dedication to sustainable agriculture, education, and community involvement makes her a leading figure in the Gulf Coast's horticultural landscape. Her work continues to inspire and support both novice gardeners and seasoned farmers alike.

Brandon Olson

Natasha Freeman

Natasha is a folk herbalist specializing in local foraging for edible and medicinal plants. A lifelong resident of Baldwin County, she is passionate about preserving the unique ecosystem of her community for future generations. Natasha is the owner of Bee-Lightful Botanicals, a local apothecary that offers herbal consultations, preparations, classes on foraging and creating your own herbal medicines. Through her practice, teaching, and community outreach, she generously shares her expertise to empower others to lead healthier lives through the benefits of herbal medicine.

Melissa Mizell Nichols

Melissa is an Indigenous herbalist with a deep passion for bioregional plant medicines. As a master gardener and community educator, she brings her expertise to the community through engaging classes on foraging, gardening, and herbalism. In addition, Melissa runs Cedar and Moon Apothecary, where she creates seasonal remedies, teas, and self-care items that celebrate the gifts & abundance of nature. Her mission is to immerse others in the fascinating world of plants and help individuals connect with the land around them.

Whether someone is a seasoned forager or just starting their journey, Melissa is dedicated to guiding them every step of the way. She believes deeply in community responsibility and loves getting to share her passion for plants, wellness, and nature with those who are interested!

Troy Groff

Troy, or as his friends call him, Nature Boy Troy, has always been fascinated with nature. Growing up in the country of Illinois, he spent his days along the river or hiking through the woods, which set him on his path of becoming a Park Ranger for the state of Florida. As a ranger, that fascination only grew, whether it was learning to forage plants and fungi or how the mycelium cleans and nourishes the earth. This led him to the Florida Earth Skills Gathering event, where he had the opportunity to attend mushroom-growing classes. That was the match that sparked the fire for everything fungi. That was in 2015, and by 2016, he had set up his lab and grow space, turning his home into a fungi farm. Now, as the owner of Lost Boys Mushrooms, he spends his days in the lab creating and monitoring culture, spawn, and inoculating 120 to 140 mushroom blocks a week, cultivating over 200 pounds a week of gourmet and medicinal mushrooms, and producing over 2 gallons of tincture a week. Lost Boys Mushrooms services multiple restaurants, food trucks, and produce markets in the Pensacola area. He teaches classes or consults other growers when he isn’t at the farm.