Brewing is one of Wisconsin’s honored traditions. With a rich crop industry, Wisconsin growers have explored the benefits of growing a unique and challenging crop like hops. University of Wisconsin-Extension is hosting a hop production seminar to advance the brewing tradition in Wisconsin on March 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Bloomer, Wisconsin.
New or interested commercial growers with basic information on hop yard design, irrigation, harvesting, and disease control are encouraged to attend. The program also includes facilitated discussions on the marketing and economics of hops.
The seminar will be held at Bloomer Brewery, 1526 Martin Road, Bloomer, Wisconsin. Speakers and topics include:
- Perspectives on Six Years of Hop Research in Northern Vermont: Hop Yard Construction, Irrigation and Harvest Equipment Design. Roger Rainville, University of Vermont: Boarderview Research Farm, owner/manager.
- Wisconsin Brewers’ Guild Perspective on Local Hops and Barley. Bo Bélanger, South Shore Brewing, Brew Master and owner; Wisconsin Brewers Guild, president.
- Hop Disease: What we saw in 2014 and what to watch for in 2015. Amanda Gevens, UW-Extension plant pathologist and Michele Marks.
- Drip Irrigation Basics for Optimal Hop Production. Ken Schroeder, UW-Extension Portage County agriculture agent.
- Calibration of Hand Sprayers for Safety and Proper Crop Production. Jerry Clark, UW-Extension Chippewa County crops and soils agent.
- The Wisconsin Clean Hop Rhizome Program Update. Ruth Genger, UW-Madison Plant Pathology Lab.
- Dan Stolt, Bloomer Brewery, owner/brewer.
Registration is $40 and includes materials, a light breakfast, lunch and breaks. The registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 27 and is limited to the first 50 paid registrants. The workshop brochure can be found online at http://buffalo.uwex.edu/agriculture/barley-and-hops/.
This program is funded in part by a grant received from North Central Region-SARE
Contact:
Carl Duley, (608) 685-6256, carl.duley@ces.uwex.edu
Jerry Clark, (715) 726-7955,Jerome.clark@ces.uwex.edu