Goldberg not only completed his undergraduate degree but also founded and currently runs a successful business and became a new dad, all while performing at a high academic level.

“I chose CALS and Agroecology because I wanted an education that connects directly to what I’m building in the real world. I run a mushroom farm, Madcap Mushrooms, and I didn’t want to just learn theory. I wanted to understand the ecological and biological systems behind what I’m doing. Agroecology gave me that bridge between science, sustainability, and hands-on farming.”

Running his own business has been an experience that he suggests has dovetailed perfectly with his education.  For Madcap Mushrooms, he does everything from cultivation and post-harvest handling to sales, logistics, and scaling production. “It’s been a real-world crash course in agriculture and entrepreneurship, where the stakes are real, and the learning is constant. I’m learning and then turning around and applying it in real time. Whether it’s plant physiology, agricultural policy, or systems thinking, it directly influences how I make decisions on my farm.”

He believes the most impactful part of his education has been moving beyond just learning “how to grow” and onto an understanding of why systems function the way they do. 

“That shift has changed how I approach problem-solving, efficiency, and sustainability. It’s made me a more intentional grower and has helped me design systems that are not just productive, but resilient.”

Intent on sharing what he is learning, Goldberg has worked with the UVM Agriculture Club to host mushroom cultivation workshops for other students and has presented at the NOFA Conference multiple times, sharing his expertise with other farmers. He has also offered workshops to the general public throughout Vermont. “Teaching has become a big part of what I do. I genuinely enjoy helping people understand how food is grown and showing them that it’s something they can do themselves. It’s been an incredible way to build community and share what I’m passionate about.”

Goldberg was honored by the American Society for Horticultural Science with the Collegiate Scholars Award. Post-graduation, he plans to continue scaling up Madcap Mushrooms into a larger operation while expanding education around fungi and sustainable food systems. He’s not quite ready to leave UVM, though. Next semester, he will begin UVM’s Sustainable Innovation MBA, which will help to grow his business in an even more intentional and impactful way. 

“My program has absolutely set me up for my career path. It’s given me the scientific foundation and systems thinking needed to build something that isn’t just successful, but sustainable long-term.”