Hop workshop scheduled for August 21 at Southwest Michigan Research and Education Center

Learn what is needed to set up a hop yard, select plants and start growing hops.

Hops are a fast-growing and fascinating plant used for flavoring and preserving beer and ales, and in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on August 21 at the Southwest Michigan Research and Education Center, this workshop will teach you about the history and uses of hops, what’s needed to set up a hop yard, requirements for growing, fertilizing and irrigating, common insect and disease problems and their management, hop processing and marketing opportunities for hops. Choosing hop varieties, installing plants versus rhizomes and specific pest management topics will be discussed in detail.

A resource list for materials you will need will be included in the handouts given at the workshop. Representatives from local microbreweries will be on hand to discuss hop characteristics and what they contribute to a brew (bittering, aroma, flavor), as well as which varieties they use.

If you have been considering starting a commercial hop yard or are a serious, amateur grower, this workshop will be a great introduction to get you started. Registration is $35 and includes lunch. Please register by August 14 so we can have an accurate count for lunch.

Contact Jamie at the Berrien County Extension office for more information or to register at 1-269-944-4126. You can also fill out and return this form with a check payable to Michigan State University Extension. Please mail forms to Berrien County MSUE, 1737 Hillandale Rd., Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

The Southwest Research and Extension Center is located at 1791 Hillandale Rd., Benton Harbor, Mich. (view map).

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