Mother and son bring fresh herbs and mushrooms to Lovell Farmers Market

The Lovell Farmers Market is a gathering place for local vendors, and among those who offer something unique are Michelle Horrocks and her son, Wyatt. The mother and son duo bring a variety of seasonal herbs and homegrown oyster mushrooms to the market, adding a fresh, flavorful touch to the lineup of locally produced goods.

Michelle, who runs a business called “BE,” and Wyatt, who sells oyster mushrooms, have been an integral part of the market, each bringing their own passion for gardening and growing to the community.

For Michelle, the Lovell Farmers Market is an opportunity to share her love for seasonal living. Originally from Texas, she and her husband have lived in various states before settling in Wyoming, where they’ve made Cowley their home since 2010.

“I’m a mother of three wonderful men,” Michelle said. “We have family close by and have always loved the wide open and beautiful spaces of Wyoming.”

Her business, BE, is built around a philosophy of simplicity and seasonal living. At the market, Michelle offers fresh herbs pruned that day from her plants, along with other produce that is ready to harvest. Any herbs that don’t sell are dried and used by her family throughout the year.

“I bring the herbs that I have pruned from my plants that day, and any other produce that is ready,” Michelle said. “I dry the herbs that don’t sell, and we use those during the year.”

The idea for BE came to her in 2020, when she sought to create a business that reflected her personal values.

“In 2020, I wanted to design a business that was in alignment with my values of simplicity, living seasonally and embracing who you are and what you love to do,” she said.

Wyatt, Michelle’s son, brings his own unique product to the market. He brings fresh oyster mushrooms. Known for their blue gray color and firm texture, these mushrooms have quickly gained popularity among Lovell market customers.

“Oyster mushrooms grow in clusters, are a blue/gray color and have a firmer texture compared to button mushrooms,,” Wyatt said. “This is my second year selling mushrooms, and each year I have tried to increase the number of mushrooms I grow,” he said.

Wyatt grows his mushrooms at home using straw and first got interested in mushroom cultivation after buying an oyster mushroom grow kit. What started as a fun project quickly turned into something more.

“I bought an oyster mushroom grow kit four years ago and enjoyed the growing process so much that I wanted to try and do it on my own,” Wyatt said. “At first, I was just growing them to enjoy with my family, but I realized I could sell them.” 

Wyatt’s mushrooms have been well-received by the community, and he has even sold them to local businesses such as the Bull Pub.

For both Michelle and Wyatt, the Lovell community has been a welcoming place to grow their business and connect with others. Michelle, who is also a nurse, values the relationships she’s built over the years.

“The Lovell community means a lot to me,” Michelle said. “I enjoy getting to see and visit with people that I have worked with over the years.”