This research investigated why some morel mushroom farms fail to produce any mushrooms while others succeed. The study found that successful morel production depends on having a balanced and diverse community of microorganisms in the soil, rather than having the soil dominated by just one or two types of microbes. This finding has important implications for sustainable agriculture and mushroom farming. Impacts on everyday life: • Helps farmers improve mushroom cultivation success and economic outcomes • Provides insights for developing more sustainable farming practices • Demonstrates the importance of maintaining healthy soil microbial communities • Could lead to better methods for growing other valuable mushroom species • Highlights how complex ecological relationships affect food production