Abstract: A system for manufacturing a solid medium for cultivating mushrooms includes a mixer for mixing and agitating medium materials, and a heater coupled to the mixer for sterilizing the medium materials from the mixer with the heat of steam. The sterilized medium materials are then delivered into a cooler connected to the heater, and cooled and moistened by water scattered by a sprinkler. The cooler is coupled to a mycelia supply source for supplying mycelia of the mushroom with which the cooled medium materials are spawned. The solid medium thus produced is then packaged by a packaging mechanism in a germ-free environment.

Abstract: A separator comprises a central casing including an upper disk and a lower disk, both disks having a plurality of openings, and a plurality of columns extending between the upper and lower disks and in communication with the plurality of openings, an upper casing including a disk disposed in contact with the upper disk of the central casing and having a plurality of openings, and a plurality of columns extending upwardly from the upper surface of the disk and in communication with the plurality of columns of the central casing, a lower casing including a disk disposed in contact with the lower disk of the central casing and having a plurality of openings, and a plurality of columns extending downwardly from the lower surface of the disk and in communication with the plurality of columns of the central casing, and a plurality of receptacles disposed within the plurality of columns. The upper and lower casings are rotated so that the receptacles can be circulated through the columns.