Talking Nature, Writing, and Mushroom Farming in the Collar City with Avery Stempel

Avery Stempel has been coming out to local poetry readings and open mics since the late-90s. Since then, he has been featured at many regional literary events. Last December Avery graced the stage at The Linda, WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio in Albany, for the Year in Review show. There he read, as some have called it, his “signature mushroom poem.”

When the pandemic hit and his job as manager of EMPAC at RPI came to an end, Avery shifted his focus to a dream that he shared with his girlfriend, Amy. Together they opened a mushroom farm in Lansingburgh.