Guinahan I Lanchero, Farmer Feature JRTT Mångge' Mushrooms

CoFounders: Rowena and Jay Horton

Two years ago, JRTT Mångge' Mushrooms started as a simple love for mushrooms. Rowena would often share her appreciation for their flavors with her husband, Jay. Inspired by her enthusiasm, Jay dove into research, determined to grow them himself. What began as curiosity soon blossomed into a thriving local business.

Their favorite variety to grow is the stunning Pleurotus djamor, commonly known as the Pink Oyster Mushroom. "The name alone is just so fancy," Rowena says. "Its vibrant pink hue stands out from everything we cultivate. I'd literally take a sniff of this particular variety and enjoy its essence. Its vigor is explosive—taking only a week to see its beauty emerging from the sides of the buckets."

From their very first farmer's market, Rowena and Jay experienced the thrill of sharing their harvest with the community. They were so nervous the night before, unsure of how people would respond to locally grown mushrooms—but they sold out completely. Since then, their reach has expanded, and excitement continues to grow. First-time buyers and loyal customers alike are eager to experience the freshness of their mushrooms, proudly cultivated on island soil.

Now, JRTT Mångge' Mushrooms is reaching new heights. They’ll be participating in the upcoming HyMarket and Fam Farm Spring Farmer’s Market, presenting at Pay-Less Community Care Share Series in the EduKitchen, and even introducing mushrooms to elementary school students.

For Jay and Rowena, this is just the beginning. Their vision extends beyond their own success—they hope to inspire younger generations to see the importance of food security and get involved in agriculture. Their advice to aspiring growers and entrepreneurs? "You get what you put in."