This research demonstrated that millet straw, an abundant agricultural byproduct in Northern China, can be effectively used to grow commercial button mushrooms. The study analyzed how the straw breaks down during composting and mushroom growth, showing yields comparable to traditional wheat straw methods. This has important implications for sustainable agriculture and waste utilization. Impacts on everyday life: • Provides farmers in arid regions a new way to use leftover millet straw • Demonstrates sustainable recycling of agricultural waste into valuable food products • Offers potential cost savings for mushroom growers by using locally available materials • Could help increase mushroom production in regions where wheat straw is scarce • Shows how agricultural waste can be converted into nutritious food