Date/Time
Date(s) - February 13, 2014
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

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Microbrewing is growing quickly in Ohio, with over 100 craft brewers licensed statewide over the past two years, but because different brewers use different hops varieties for their craft beers, it’s important for growers to know the market in terms of the varieties that brewers need before growers invest in their first rhizomes (plant roots).To help growers interested in learning more about hops production, including how to market the increasingly popular ingredient to Ohio’s breweries, Brad Bergefurd and other Ohio hops researchers will host a workshop Feb. 13 featuring presentations from entomologists, plant pathologists and horticulturists with OSU Extension and OARDC.Participants can learn about new hops cultivars and innovative hops production techniques. Participants can also sign up to tour a local brewery after the program to learn more about what those in the industry are looking for from hops growers, he said.Investigators will also discuss findings from the Ohio hops research program, which is evaluating new cultivars, innovative production techniques, insect and disease control methods, and harvesting, processing and marketing techniques that can be adopted by Ohio farmers.Ohio State researchers estimate that within the first year growers can expect dry hops yields of 200 to 1,800 pounds per acre, depending on the cultivar, with an estimated value of $2,000 to $25,200. In the second and subsequent production years, yields should increase to 500 to 2,200 dry pounds per acre valued at $7,000 to $30,800.Other topics to be discussed include:

Trellis design and construction

Field and plant maintenance

Pests and diseases

Harvesting

Processing and food safety regulations

Distribution and marketing

USDA and Farm Service Agency programs for hops growers.Registration for the workshop is $25 and includes the program, handouts, refreshments and lunch. Contact Charissa McGlothin at 740-289-2071, ext. 132, for more information or to register. The deadline to register is Jan. 31. The brewery tour is outside of the program schedule and costs an additional $5.