Rea Sofer, of Kibbutz Dafna, was initially introduced to the world of mushrooms from a very personal place. A body-mind crisis led him to seek out nature, the quiet of the forest, and the magic of mushrooms, which grew wildly amongst the tall oak trees. “From the day I started foraging, I dreamt of living close to mushrooms and of making a living from them,” he says. Being in nature sparked a deep curiosity within him: how could such delicate organisms strengthen, balance and help restore the body and mind’s natural state?

Curiosity led to research — and research ignited a sense of purpose. Rea began learning how to grow medicinal mushrooms and exploring their unique attributes. His desire to continue expanding his exploration led him to study with Ido Peres — an international expert on medicinal mushrooms, who had discovered them over 15 years earlier while dealing with a personal health challenge of his own.

Due to the genuine need to strengthen his body, Ido encountered the power of mushrooms — especially Cordyceps, a mushroom which ultimately transformed his life. His personal experience was transformed into a profound journey. Ido began researching, growing, and developing the field, fueled by his vision of making the vast potential of medicinal mushrooms accessible to anyone seeking to improve their quality of life.

The journey was not easy. Starting out, Ido was faced with numerous questions, skepticism and a lack of professional knowledge. Yet, perseverance, curiosity and a clear vision led him to establish an innovative school of agriculture dedicated to the cultivation and study of medicinal mushrooms. Eventually, Ido relocated to Vietnam, where he built greenhouses dedicated to the research and cultivation of mushrooms. There, he developed new strains and trained students — including professors, naturalists, nutritionists and farmers from around the world, and grew to become a prominent figure in the global mycology community.

The bond between Rea and Ido was immediate. They were two people from different places with a shared vision. Mycospring was born from their encounter. It is a farm for growing mushrooms partnered with advanced laboratories, deeply rooted in the earth and the heart — driven by a love for nature, research and people. Mycospring combines traditional knowledge with updated science, creating a new standard of quality in the field of mushrooms. Each stage of cultivation, harvesting and development is carried out under full supervision and with the approval of the Ministry of Health, while paying meticulous attention to even the slightest details. Because that’s the only way we are willing to work.
When we say “mushrooms as a way of life” – we truly mean it. It’s not only the way to treat your body, but rather a complete and comprehensive approach to life: continuously balancing, reinforcing, learning and improving. Endlessly. Just like the mushrooms themselves.