Washington mushroom farm to close; 65 workers to lose jobs

BELLINGHAM – About 65 people will lose their jobs at a mushroom farm in northwestern Washington.

The Bellingham Herald reported that Ostrom Mushroom Farms will phase out its operations on the 60-acre Everson, Washington, farm and close in June. The company is based in Olympia.

Company officials say facilities and equipment built in 1980 at the farm in Everson are no longer cost-effective to operate.

Ostrom spokesman Fletcher Street said it has also become increasingly difficult to attract people to do the fairly labor-intensive work.

Street said about 55,000 pounds of mushrooms are harvested by hand each week at the business.