Our founder's journey

     Hello, my name is Steve Schachtschneider, the owner of Grandfather Medicinals, a company focusing on providing wild foraged, ethically harvested medicinal and gourmet mushrooms and plants. My roots run deep. I began foraging for morel mushrooms with my father as a young child. I didn't understand my father’s excitement about his discoveries then, but later, having moved to North Carolina, I had it, too. After stumbling across a group of morels on a riverbank in South Carolina, I began a lifelong journey of exploration and research—and a deepening connection to this part of Western North Carolina.

While the size and amounts of morels in the Southeast aren’t as large nor prevalent as in other parts of the country, they are in this region. The rekindled fire led me to Asheville, where I have developed a definite pattern for finding morels in the spring. I met another mushroom enthusiast who helped me learn how to find other species, such as chanterelles, chaga, reishi, maitake, lion’s mane, and many others.

Four years ago, I began selling fresh mushrooms seasonally and making products like tinctures and dehydrated edible and medicinal mushrooms. I am certified in 9 states to sell 20 types of mushrooms (certification# 1229; expires 11/22/2026). I am discovering that there is a lot of interest in mushrooms and their many health benefits, which has prompted me to share the bounty I receive with others, at local markets, this website, and by word of mouth.

I am deeply grateful for those who sparked my interest, held my hand, and everyone who has helped me to realize a truly rewarding way to make a living, which only brings goodness into others’ lives. Thank you!