Based in Winchester, Hampshire, Chris Maynard is what many would call a “fungalist.” While the term isn’t standard scientific terminology (unlike “mycologist,” which refers to professional fungi researchers), it’s a popular way to describe a deep interest and expertise in mushrooms and fungi. Similar to how someone might call themselves an “herbalist” or “aquarist,” “fungalist” captures Chris’s all-consuming passion for the fungal world.
Chris’ Mushroom Obsession
Like others with the same obsession, Chris’s phone has photos of stunning, colourful, and magical mushrooms. But his enthusiasm goes far beyond photography! He and his partner, Jon, run Myndful Mushrooms, a small farm producing potent dual-extract tinctures from carefully cultivated fungi. At Jolly Moon Farm, this dynamic duo grows hundreds of kilograms of gourmet and functional mushrooms, with Lion’s Mane as their flagship strain, followed by native UK oyster varieties. Their mission is to unlock people’s minds to the incredible benefits of fungi.
Spreading the Fungi Knowledge
Beyond commercial production, Chris and Jon generously share their knowledge through workshops, teaching others how to grow low-tech mushrooms such as wine caps in allotments and oyster totems. Chris regularly ventures into the New Forest, camera in hand, documenting his wild fungal discoveries. His expertise has expanded to include truffle hunting, with Tinker, his new canine companion, currently training to sniff out these prized underground treasures.
Throughout 2023, the partners invested heavily in research and development, building their farm infrastructure and consulting with experts before launching their tincture line in February 2024. Their hard work paid off when they were invited to hold a residency at Eweleaze Boutique Campsite last summer, where they delivered daily talks to over 5,000 guests, spreading the mushroom gospel to receptive audiences.
Committed to their values of helping others, Chris and Jon enrolled in 2025 in “Exploring the Healing Potential of Medicinal Mushrooms,” a course developed with the UK & Ireland Mycotherapy Practitioners Register. This dedication to continuous learning reflects their genuine desire to bridge traditional wisdom with modern understanding, sharing the therapeutic potential of fungi with their growing community.