Welcome to Spore Growth Partners
Welcome to Spore Growth Partners, a consulting firm built at the intersection of fungi, food systems, and functional wellness. We specialize in helping regenerative brands, mushroom farms, dietary supplement companies, and psychedelic ventures scale sustainably — from concept to commercialization.
Founded by mycologist and systems strategist Alex Sherman, Spore Growth Partners offers a unique blend of scientific expertise, operational insight, and brand storytelling. With over a decade of experience in mushroom cultivation, food innovation, and regulatory navigation, Alex has helped bring transformative products to life across the functional food and psychedelic space.
We offer strategic consulting and implementation services for clients working with fungi, adaptogens, and plant-based wellness products. Whether you're scaling production, formulating new products, or building a compliant infrastructure, we bring clarity and momentum to every stage of your business.
Strategy rooted in science. Growth guided by nature.
Who We Are
Alex Sherman is a mycologist, systems thinker, and industry consultant dedicated to advancing scientific integrity and ecological ethics within the functional mushroom sector. With over 15 years of experience spanning mycology research, regenerative agriculture, and food systems innovation, Alex bridges the gap between science, industry, and sustainability.
At UC Davis, Alex studied soil systems and the ecological roles of fungi in nutrient cycling, agriculture, and forestry. His career evolved through hands-on work with farms and wineries before moving into mushroom industry leadership—scaling Maitake production, building cGMP dietary supplement programs, and advising dozens of CPG and nutraceutical brands on formulation, sourcing, and regulatory compliance.
As a former committee member of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA)—serving on the Psychedelic Plants & Fungi, Botanical Raw Materials, and Sustainability Committees—Alex helped shape national standards for quality and transparency in herbal and fungal products. He now serves on the Board of Directors for the Sonoma Mycological Association (SOMA), where he works to expand education, stewardship, and research opportunities in community-based mycology.
Through Spore Growth Partners, Alex leads strategic initiatives to standardize testing and verification methods for functional mushrooms, collaborating with laboratories, farms, and research groups to co-develop validated analytical protocols for bioactive compounds. His work focuses on bridging the gap between ecological intelligence and scientific accountability—building the infrastructure for a transparent, ethical, and scientifically grounded mushroom industry.
Spore Growth Partners represents the convergence of Alex’s lifelong mission: integrating fungi, science, and systems design to regenerate industries and ecosystems alike.
Services
Regulatory Navigation
When it comes to understanding the intricate web of federal codes, we have your back. Regulatory Navigation service is designed to assist you in tackling regulatory hurdles head-on. Together, we will create effective SOPs and QMFs, ensuring that you not only meet compliance requirements but do so with confidence and clarity. Reach out today, and let’s navigate these challenges together.
Lab Testing
We connect you with top-tier laboratories that specialize in DNA identification, heavy metals, and pesticide screenings for product quality. This ensures your products meet the highest quality standards with thorough microbial limit analyses for compliance. Additionally, we invite you to explore the extraordinary bioactive constituents of functional mushrooms, unlocking the incredible potential of these fungi to enhance your health and well-being.
Mushroom Cultivation
Unlock the true potential of your mushroom growing operations with expert consulting on Mushroom Cultivation. Whether you're focusing on exotic or medicinal varieties, we'll assist you in mastering the art of environmental controls, substrate formulation, and cultivation techniques to cultivate healthier mushrooms. Together, we can reduce contamination rates, boost yields, and enhance your overall efficiency. Let's lay the groundwork for a robust ERP or MRP system to prioritize food safety and productivity.
Product Development
Unlock the potential of your product ideas with Product Development and Formulation consulting service. We bring a keen interest in food science and deep industry knowledge to the table. Together, we’ll explore every aspect of the supply chain, create efficient sourcing strategies, and develop innovative products that resonate with your target market. Let’s get started on your journey to success.
Go Mushroom Foraging
Have you ever wanted to forage for mushrooms? Learn about ecology? Learn how to navigate through the woods incase you are lost? Jump into nature and explore the amazing world of fungi while being led my expert mycologists, biologists, and ecologists. Wander through the redwoods, jump over streams, and take in amazing sights of nature while learning about the fascinating world of fungi.
No size is too big or too small. We offer a wide range of options from small, intimate groups to school classes over 100 children. Contact now for more information on group rates.