The Continuing Education Department of the Agricultural University of Iceland has been offering courses on mushrooms and mushroom foraging for many years. These courses have always been highly popular, as it is both enjoyable and rewarding to explore nature and gather wild food.

This one-day course on mushrooms and mushroom foraging is both informative and practical. The course instructor is Helena Marta Stefánsdóttir, forest ecologist and mushroom enthusiast with extensive experience in the identification and use of wild mushrooms. Helena has taught numerous courses on mushrooms and mushroom foraging.

Course Content

• An introductory lecture on fungi as organisms, including an overview of the main edible mushroom species that participants may expect to encounter during a mushroom foray in Iceland.

• Participants will learn to identify approximately 20 species of safe edible mushrooms.

• Discussion of the distribution, habitats and distinguishing characteristics of edible mushroom species.

• An introduction to the main poisonous mushroom species that may be confused with edible varieties.

• Guided field excursions in different woodland habitats with the instructor and assistants, focusing on mushroom identification, determining the appropriate stage for harvesting, and best practices for handling collected mushrooms.

• Demonstration of preservation and preparation techniques in the Agricultural University of Iceland’s teaching kitchen at Keldnaholt, including the preparation and tasting of several different mushroom species.

Who Should Attend?

Anyone with an interest in Icelandic edible mushrooms and in learning how to identify, collect and prepare them safely.

Instructor

Helena Marta Stefánsdóttir, forest ecologist and specialist at Land and Forest Iceland.

She will be assisted by Margrét Guðbrandsdóttir, who also has extensive expertise in mushrooms and mushroom identification.

Course Date

Saturday, 29 August 2026, 10:00–18:00

Course Format

The course will be held at the Agricultural University of Iceland’s facilities at Árleyni 22, Keldnaholt, Reykjavík, as well as in nearby woodland areas during the morning session. Following a light lunch, participants will visit locations such as Hólmsheiði and subsequently Heiðmörk.

Provisional Programme

• 10:00–12:00 – Lecture at the Agricultural University of Iceland, Árleyni 22, Keldnaholt.

• 12:00–12:30 – Short walk around Keldnaholt in search of mushrooms.

• 12:30–13:00 – Light lunch and mushroom tasting.

• 13:00–15:00 – Practical session. Participants will examine, handle, smell and prepare a variety of mushroom species.

• 15:00–18:00 – Field excursion to search for mushrooms (participants travel in their own vehicles, although car-sharing can be arranged if desired).*

* Detailed locations will be provided during the course.

What to Bring

Participants are advised to dress appropriately for the weather conditions.

Everyone should bring:

• A mushroom knife or pocket knife for cleaning mushrooms.

• A basket or box for collecting mushrooms, allowing good air circulation (plastic bags should not be used).

Participants are also encouraged to bring a mushroom identification guide. For example:

Sveppahandbókin (The Mushroom Handbook)

Course Fee

ISK 45,000

The fee includes tuition, guidance from an assistant instructor, and light refreshments and lunch.

Please note:

• Only 18 places are available.

• Previous courses have sold out.

Registration is not confirmed until payment has been completed during the application process using a debit or credit card.

We would also like to remind participants that many trade unions in Iceland provide grants to members for continuing education courses and professional development activities.

Registration

For information on payment terms and conditions, and to register for the course, please follow the registration link.

Register