🍄 MycoFuel Engineers™
Turning Farm Runoff into Clean Energy
A Civilian Restoration Corps Project for Water Protection and Fuel Production
by Sondra Wilson. Written July 16, 2025. Updated August 17. In loving memory of Grandpa Bill.

Iowa’s farmers are stewards of the land—and they deserve solutions that honor their role, not punish it.

For too long, Democratic proposals have relied on fines and regulations that burden farmers without offering real support. Meanwhile, Republican leadership often ignores environmental degradation altogether—leaving the waters we fish, swim in, and drink unsafe.

I reject this broken cycle.

MycoFuel Engineers™ is a science-backed, job-creating solution that uplifts farmers, protects rivers, and builds a cleaner future for all Iowans. 

🍄 This page is designed to help the average person better understand this proposal. For scientific citations, please scroll to the bottom.

Introduction
Protecting Waterways by Supporting Farmers

Iowa’s rivers and streams are vital to the health of our communities, ecosystems, and agricultural economy. However, nutrient-rich runoff from farms—particularly manure and fertilizers—has increasingly polluted these waterways, contributing to toxic algal blooms, wildlife degradation, and hypoxic zones as far downstream as the Gulf of Mexico (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2025).

Algae Blooms Caused by Runoff

Aerial photo showing algae blooms and sediment-laden water in central Iowa. Highlights nitrate pollution and agricultural runoff (Emma McClatchey/Little Village 2018).

Farmers are aware of these impacts and care deeply about the land and water. Yet proposed state responses often rely on punitive regulations and fines, which place additional burdens on farmers without offering practical support. These measures increase labor demands on already overstretched agricultural operations and fail to address the root causes of runoff pollution.

To solve Iowa’s water crisis, more studies are not the answer—action is. MycoFuel Engineers™ uses fungi to capture and break down pollutants at the source, transforming waste into clean-burning fuel.

Through the Civilian Restoration Corps (CRC), we will create well-paying jobs that put people in the fields, working alongside farmers to restore ecosystems and generate renewable energy.

This is a plan for clean water, rural prosperity, and environmental stewardship. It does not rely on blame or bureaucracy—it offers a practical path forward.

“Between 2011 and 2017, I documented hundreds of species of fungi alongside Grandpa Bill and the California Lichen Society, and the Mycological Society of San Francisco. As a fan of Paul Stamets, I am aware of his pioneering work in mycoremediation.

The idea of grinding the mushrooms into fuel pellets came to my after thinking about the tinder mushroom. After doing a little research and finding out this plan is in fact possible, MycoFuel Engineers™ was born.” 

— Sondra Wilson, Independent Candidate for Iowa Governor

The Problem
Dirty Rivers, Lakes, and Drinking Water

Iowa’s drinking water is increasingly unsafe—especially in rural and agricultural regions. Nitrate pollution, driven largely by fertilizer runoff and manure from industrial-scale farming, has reached levels that exceed federal safety standards in many of the state’s rivers and aquifers (Farmers Advance, 2025). In June 2025, nitrate concentrations in the Raccoon River reached 20.55 milligrams per liter—more than double the Environmental Protection Agency’s legal limit of 10 mg/L for public drinking water (Schnoor, as cited in Farmers Advance, 2025).

This isn’t just a regulatory concern—it’s a public health emergency. Long-term exposure to elevated nitrate levels is linked to serious health risks, including:

• Methemoglobinemia (“blue baby syndrome”) in infants
• Increased risk of colorectal, breast, and bladder cancers
• Birth defects such as neural-tube malformations
• Reproductive and neurological disorders (Waterverse, 2025)

The crisis extends beyond nitrates. Harmful algal blooms, E. coli contamination, and traces of pharmaceuticals and PFAS chemicals have also been detected in Iowa’s rivers and lakes (Iowa Public Radio, 2025; Waterverse, 2025). In Polk County alone, researchers found human DNA in water samples—evidence of failing wastewater infrastructure and untreated sewage entering recreational waters (Farmers Advance, 2025).

Central Iowa Water Works, which serves over 600,000 residents, was forced to impose its first-ever lawn watering ban in summer 2025 to reduce demand and allow for emergency nitrate treatment (Iowa Public Radio, 2025). The treatment facility costs $16,000 per day to operate and still cannot fully remove contaminants from the entire water flow.

The Solution
Mycoremediation to Stop Pollution and Produce Fuel

MycoFuel Engineers™ proposes a system based on mycoremediation—the use of fungi to absorb and break down environmental pollutants. Mushrooms are cultivated around the perimeter of farms, particularly in areas prone to runoff. These fungi metabolize contaminants before they reach waterways. Various types of mushrooms can be used to target different kinds of pollutants; corresponding studies to be conducted.

Mycoremediation to Protect Waterways

Mycoremediation describes the process of using fungi to capture pollutants inside mushrooms so they can then be managed (Mozi, R, 2024).

Once the mushrooms have completed their remediation cycle, they are harvested, dried, and compressed into fuel pellets. These pellets serve as a renewable energy source for heating and industrial use. They burn clean and can be enhanced with agricultural waste substrates, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and wood-based fuels (Negi & Das, 2023).

MycoFuel Pellets

Wood pellets used for fuel (Alibaba, n.d.).

MycoFuel—biofuel derived from cultivated mushrooms—offers a promising alternative to traditional biomass fuels like wood pellets.

While wood pellets are widely used for heating due to their high energy density (8,000–9,000 BTUs per pound) and low moisture content (around 8%), they rely on timber industry byproducts and require significant processing (Chainsaw Nerds, 2025). Pellet stoves can reach thermal efficiencies over 80%, making them a popular eco-friendly choice (GW-360, 2024).

Mushrooms, particularly species like Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus ostreatus, can be cultivated on agricultural waste and converted into dense, carbon-rich fuel pellets. While their BTU output is slightly lower than wood pellets, they offer several advantages:

• 🌱 Regenerative sourcing: Mushrooms grow on waste biomass, reducing landfill and promoting circular agriculture.
• 💨 Lower emissions: MycoFuel pellets produce less smoke and ash, and can be engineered to minimize volatile organic compounds.
• 🧪 Bioremediation potential: Certain fungi can absorb heavy metals and break down pollutants during cultivation, offering dual environmental benefits.

Though wood pellets currently outperform mushrooms in raw energy output, MycoFuel’s ecological benefits, scalability, and compatibility with cooperative farming models make it a compelling alternative—especially for Iowa’s regenerative future. To raise BTUs, MycoFuel pellets can simply be mixed with wood pellets to burn hotter and serve a variety of industrial uses.

Viability of Nitrate-Capturing Mushrooms as Fuel Pellets

The use of fungal biomass for both nitrate remediation and biofuel production is supported by a growing body of research. Species such as Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) have demonstrated the ability to metabolize nitrates and other pollutants through mycoremediation processes (Stamets, 2005; Singh et al., 2011). These same fungi also produce substantial lignocellulosic biomass, which can be dried and pelletized for use as a renewable fuel source.

Importantly, many fungi do not retain toxins in their biomass but instead metabolize them, making post-remediation biomass suitable for combustion (Harms et al., 2011). The energy output of fungal fuel pellets typically ranges from 15 to 18 MJ/kg, which is comparable to traditional wood pellets (Demirbas, 2004). Additionally, fungal biomass can be blended with agricultural residues to enhance calorific value and combustion efficiency (Kumar et al., 2009).

Potential Limitations

While the approach is promising, several factors must be addressed:

• Heavy Metal Accumulation: Some fungi hyperaccumulate metals, which may pose risks during combustion. Species selection and post-harvest testing are critical (Harms et al., 2011).
• Regulatory Compliance: Biomass intended for fuel use must meet environmental safety standards, including those set by the EPA and state DNR agencies.

Conclusion

Based on current evidence, it is scientifically plausible and likely that nitrate-capturing mushrooms can be safely and effectively converted into fuel pellets. With appropriate species selection, harvest protocols, and regulatory oversight, this dual-purpose application offers a compelling solution for both waterway restoration and renewable energy production.

🌱 MycoFuel Engineers™ at a Glance

✅ Cleans water using fungi

✅ Turns waste into fuel

✅ Pays farmers instead of fining them

✅ Creates jobs through CRC

✅ Builds ecological infrastructure

Regulation and Fines Aren’t the Solution

For decades, Iowa’s water quality policies have leaned heavily on regulation—fines, compliance mandates, and conservation recommendations that often lack practical support. While well-intentioned, these approaches have failed to produce meaningful change. Farmers are asked to do more with less, while the root causes of runoff pollution—industrial-scale agriculture, poor soil health, and lack of ecological infrastructure—go unaddressed.

Democratic candidates have frequently proposed stricter enforcement mechanisms, including tax penalties for noncompliance and expanded oversight of conservation practices. For example, Julie Stauch, a 2026 Democratic candidate for governor, has suggested “penalizing farmers who are ignoring conservation recommendations with creative tax laws” (Stauch, 2025). While this may appeal to environmental advocates, it risks alienating farmers who feel blamed rather than supported.

MycoFuel Engineers™ takes a different approach. Instead of imposing fines, it offers farmers a new product, a new revenue stream, and a new partnership. It recognizes that farmers are not the problem—they’re the key to the solution. By investing in ecological infrastructure and creating jobs through the Civilian Restoration Corps, we shift from punishment to empowerment.

Inspiration Behind this Proposal

This proposal was conceived through the pioneering work of mycologist Paul Stamets, whose research into mycoremediation—the use of fungi to detoxify contaminated environments—has demonstrated remarkable potential for ecological restoration. Stamets’ collaborative experiments with Matter of Trust and other organizations showcased how hair mats made from salon waste could be used to absorb oil from spills, and subsequently inoculated with Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) mycelium to break down hydrocarbons into non-toxic compounds (Bland, 2007; Stamets, 2005). These mats not only repurposed human waste but also served as a substrate for fungal growth, turning a pollutant into a resource for bioremediation.

Further inspiration stems from Stamets’ proposal for a Nuclear Forest Recovery Zone, in which specific mushroom species such as Gomphidius glutinosus were planted in contaminated areas to hyperaccumulate radioactive cesium-137 from soil following nuclear disasters (Stamets, 2011). This concept leverages the natural ability of certain fungi to absorb and concentrate heavy metals and radionuclides, offering a scalable, low-impact method for remediating nuclear waste sites.

MycoFuel Engineers takes Stamets’ work a step further via creating a product from the mushrooms, thereby turning a problem into opportunity!

Stamets’ “Fantastic Fungi” Movie Trailer

Iowa will Commission Paul Stamets to Come to Iowa
and Help Lift off MycoFuel Engineers™

To ensure successful implementation and public trust, MycoFuel Engineers™ will be launched in phases:

• Phase I (Year 1): Pilot projects in three counties with high runoff levels and strong farmer interest. CRC teams will conduct soil testing, install fungal systems, and monitor remediation outcomes. The state will work to commission Paul Stamets to come to Iowa to help us do it right the first time. No one will know mycoremediation better than him.
• Phase II (Years 2–3): Expand to twenty counties, incorporating lessons from Phase I. Establish regional biomass hubs and begin fuel pellet distribution.
• Phase III (Years 4–5): Statewide adoption, with CRC teams embedded in every agricultural district. Launch educational campaigns and integrate fungal systems into conservation planning.

This phased approach allows for iterative learning, community engagement, and measurable impact. It also ensures that farmers and CRC workers receive the support they need at every stage.

Regulatory Collaboration and Safety Assurance

While mycoremediation has demonstrated safety and efficacy in peer-reviewed studies (Akpasi et al., 2023; Hegde et al., 2022), regulatory agencies may require additional validation before approving widespread use. To address this:

• CRC will collaborate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and university extension programs to ensure compliance with all safety standards.
• Fungal biomass will be tested for residual toxins before fuel conversion, following protocols established in environmental remediation literature (Li, 2021).
• Pilot projects will include third-party evaluations to build public confidence and regulatory trust.

This proactive approach ensures transparency, safety, and alignment with existing environmental frameworks.

Quantified Impact and Metrics

To help Iowans understand the tangible benefits of MycoFuel Engineers™, the following metrics will be tracked and reported publicly:

• Runoff Remediation: Each fungal perimeter can remediate up to 1,500 gallons of nutrient-rich runoff per acre annually, based on similar systems used in petroleum spill sites (Stamets, 2005).
• Energy Output: Fungal fuel pellets yield approximately 15–18 MJ/kg, comparable to wood pellets and significantly cleaner than coal (Negi & Das, 2023).
• Job Creation: CRC implementation is projected to create over 2,000 jobs in the first three years, including roles in spawn cultivation, soil testing, biomass processing, and fuel distribution.
• Cost Savings: Iowa spends millions annually on algal bloom mitigation and water treatment. MycoFuel Engineers™ offers a preventive solution that reduces long-term costs while generating local revenue.

These metrics will be updated annually and shared with the public to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.

Farmer Incentives and Economic Integration

MycoFuel Engineers™ is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing farm operations. Farmers will receive:

• Direct Payments for hosting fungal systems, based on acreage and runoff volume.
• Revenue Shares from fuel pellet sales, with CRC managing processing and distribution.
• Tax Credits for participation in ecological restoration programs, aligned with federal conservation incentives (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2025).
• Technical Support from CRC teams, including spawn installation, soil testing, and harvest assistance.

This model ensures that farmers are not burdened with additional labor or risk. Instead, they are compensated as ecological partners and energy producers—turning waste into wealth.

🚜 CRC-Led Manure Recovery Program

To support farmers and expand ecological impact, CRC will launch a Manure Recovery and Fungal Conversion Initiative as part of MycoFuel Engineers™.

CRC Responsibilities:

• On-Site Pickup: CRC teams coordinate with farmers to collect excess manure from designated areas.
• Fungal Breakdown: Specialized fungal strains (e.g., Pleurotus ostreatus, Trametes versicolor) are used to break down manure into safe, carbon-rich biomass.
• Fuel Integration: The resulting biomass is dried and pelletized alongside fungal harvests for clean energy production.

Farmer Benefits:

• Free or Subsidized Removal: CRC covers pickup and processing costs through public funding and fuel revenue.
• Site Cleanup: Reduces odor, runoff risk, and regulatory pressure.
• Revenue Share: Farmers receive a portion of fuel pellet profits based on volume contributed.

🧪 Safety and Compliance

• Pathogen Testing: All manure-derived biomass is tested for pathogens and heavy metals before fuel conversion.
• Regulatory Alignment: CRC works with EPA and Iowa DNR to ensure compliance with manure handling and energy production standards.

🛠️ Infrastructure Support

To make this scalable, CRC will:

• Establish regional manure staging sites for preprocessing.
• Deploy mobile fungal remediation units for on-farm breakdown.
• Train CRC workers in manure handling, fungal inoculation, and biomass safety protocols.

Funding and Support

MycoFuel Engineers™ is one of ten flagship initiatives powered by the Civilian Restoration Corps (CRC)—a modern work relief program inspired by the historic Civilian Conservation Corps. CRC is backed by seven legislative acts, each designed to channel resources toward ecological restoration, job creation, and community resilience.

Multi-Source Funding Strategy

• The Crop Diversity and Enrichment Act — Provides direct funding for MycoFuel Engineers™ and The SolarBerry Brigade™, advancing soil health, biodiversity, and farmer-led innovation.
• The Iowa Re-investment Act — Unlocks additional capital through the Iowa Stock Exchange—a public-interest financial platform that supports community-based ecological enterprises and regenerative infrastructure.
• Philanthropic Contributions — Welcomes support from individuals and organizations aligned with Wild Willpower PAC’s mission. As the nation’s first “Civil PAC,” Wild Willpower enables campaign contributions to be directed toward solutions that serve both people and ecosystems. If corporations and politicians can use PACs to influence elections, then We the People can use Civil PACs to fund restoration.
• Voluntary Campaign Donations — Any surplus campaign funds will be transparently redirected to CRC pilot projects and implementation efforts. (Donate here.)

This multi-source funding model ensures that MycoFuel Engineers™ is not only visionary—but financially grounded, scalable, and ready to serve communities across Iowa.

🧠 Myths vs. Facts: MycoFuel Engineers™

❌ Myth #1: “This plan is just a pipe dream—mycoremediation isn’t scalable.”

✅ Fact: Mycoremediation has already been used to clean petroleum spills, restore brownfields, and detoxify agricultural runoff. The MycoFuel Engineers™ program builds on proven science with a phased rollout: starting in 3 counties, expanding to 20, and scaling statewide only after rigorous testing and validation. We’re not guessing—we’re piloting, measuring, and adapting.

❌ Myth #2: “There’s no financial plan—just vague ideas.”

✅ Fact: The platform outlines four funding sources:

• Legislative appropriations
• The Iowa Stock Exchange (a cooperative funding model)
• Philanthropic partnerships
• Redirected campaign contributions

We’re also working on pilot budgets and cost-benefit projections to ensure transparency and fiscal responsibility.

❌ Myth #3: “It’s not original—mycoremediation has been around for decades.”

✅ Fact: True—fungi have been healing ecosystems long before we had a name for it. What’s original is applying this science as a statewide public works program that restores farmland, creates jobs, and produces renewable fuel—all while empowering farmers and protecting water. This isn’t just remediation—it’s regeneration.

❌ Myth #4: “There’s no technical detail—just buzzwords.”

✅ Fact: The plan names specific fungi (Pleurotus ostreatus, Ganoderma lucidum), pollutant targets (nitrates, hydrocarbons), biomass testing protocols, and BTU ranges for fuel pellets. It also cites peer-reviewed studies and outlines partnerships with Iowa DNR, EPA, and university extensions for oversight and compliance.

❌ Myth #5: “It oversimplifies complex problems.”

✅ Fact: Agricultural pollution and rural decline are complex—but that doesn’t mean solutions must be convoluted. The MycoFuel Engineers™ program integrates ecological science, economic incentives, and community-led restoration. It’s not simplistic—it’s systemic.

❌ Myth #6: “It’s risky and could waste public resources.”

✅ Fact: That’s why we’re starting small, measuring impact, and publishing results. Every phase includes third-party evaluation, toxin testing, and public transparency. We’re not asking for blind trust—we’re building earned trust.

Learning from the Past to Prepare for the Future

With CRC, these types of common sense initiatives will be implemented throughout the state, ensuring that our descendants and downstream neighbors (hi, Missouri!!) are treated in the way we would like to be treated if we were in their shoes. These are the same types of projects Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “New Deal” implemented throughout the nation, such as this wooden spillway gate that was put into place on the Standing Rock reservation to irrigate crops:

Above photo from South Dakota Historical Society utilized in accordance with Fair Use.

Speaking of Standing Rock —
Let’s Stand Up for Clean Water together!

Call to Action

To offer your ideas to strengthen this part of my platform, please email SondraWilson4Governor@gmail.com. If you believe in clean water, renewable energy, and common-sense solutions that benefit everyone, I welcome your support.

Please Help Support My Campaign

Please share on social media with #Sondra4Governor
if you want to see this plan come to life!

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Learn More About CRC

🍄 Scientific Foundations of MycoFuel Engineers™

The MycoFuel Engineers™ initiative is grounded in a growing body of research demonstrating the ecological and industrial potential of fungi. Below are key areas of scientific support:

1. Mycoremediation of Agricultural Runoff

Fungi—especially white-rot and oyster mushrooms—have shown exceptional ability to break down toxic compounds in soil and water, including pesticides, petroleum byproducts, and excess nutrients from fertilizers.

• Stamets, P. (2005). Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World. Ten Speed Press.
• Harms, H., Schlosser, D., & Wick, L. Y. (2011). Untapped potential: Exploiting fungi in bioremediation of hazardous chemicals. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 9(3), 177–192.
• Eggen, T., & Majcherczyk, A. (1998). Removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil by white-rot fungi. Chemosphere, 37(14–15), 2979–2993.

 

2. Fungi as Renewable Fuel Sources

Certain fungi can convert lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol and other biofuels, offering a regenerative alternative to fossil fuels.

• Tan, K. W., & Lee, K. T. (2016). The potential of white-rot fungi in biofuel production. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 57, 575–587.
• Singh, A., & Bishnoi, N. R. (2013). Fungal pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass for bioethanol production. Renewable Energy, 50, 488–493.
• Kumar, R., Singh, S., & Singh, O. V. (2008). Bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass: Biochemical and molecular perspectives. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology, 35(5), 377–391.

 

3. Impact of Nutrient Runoff on Ecosystems

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff contribute to algal blooms and hypoxic zones, especially in the Mississippi River Basin and Gulf of Mexico.

• Rabalais, N. N., Turner, R. E., & Wiseman, W. J. (2002). Gulf of Mexico hypoxia, aka “The Dead Zone.” Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 33, 235–263.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (2025). Nutrient Pollution in the Mississippi River Basin.
• Diaz, R. J., & Rosenberg, R. (2008). Spreading dead zones and consequences for marine ecosystems. Science, 321(5891), 926–929.

 

4. Policy Relevance and Regenerative Potential

The MycoFuel Engineers™ model aligns with regenerative agriculture, circular economy principles, and climate resilience strategies endorsed by the USDA, EPA, and international climate accords.

• United Nations Environment Programme (2022). Regenerative Agriculture and Climate Resilience.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (2023). Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Strategy.

If you’re a scientist, farmer, or policymaker interested in collaborating or piloting this initiative, please contact my campaign at SondraWilson4Governor@gmail.com.

 

References

Featured Image:

– Kamhi, J. (2019, February 27). Diving into the benefits of the Clean Water Act. The Regulatory Review. https://www.theregreview.org/2019/02/27/kamhi-benefits-clean-water-act/

– Siid, A. (2024, September 9). School drinking fountains: Is the water safe for kids? Word In Black. https://wordinblack.com/2024/09/school-drinking-fountains-is-the-water-safe-for-kids/

MycoFuel Engineers Diagram:

– Blizzard, T. (2024, January 5). Dried and ground turkey tail [Photograph]. Modern Forager. https://modern-forager.com/making-medicinal-mushroom-tincture/img_7156-2/

– iStock. (n.d.). Pellet fuel stock photos [Stock photographs]. iStock. https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/pellet-fuel?page=4

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Alibaba.com. . (n.d.). High quality 100% pure wood pellet. https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/High-Quality-100-pure-wood-pellet_11000002305263.html

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Harms, H., Schlosser, D., & Wick, L. Y. (2011). Untapped potential: Exploiting fungi in bioremediation of hazardous chemicals. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 9(3), 177–192. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro2529

Hegde, G. M., Aditya, S., Wangdi, D., & Chetri, B. K. (2022). Mycoremediation: A natural solution for unnatural problems. In V. R. Rajpal, I. Singh, & S. S. Navi (Eds.), Fungal diversity, ecology and control management (pp. 363–386). Springer.

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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (2025). Aquatic ecosystem restoration civil works mission and evaluation procedures (EP 1105-2-70).