mountain hop explorations the growth, use, and future of this historical niche crop the growth, use,...
TRANSCRIPT
MOUNTAIN HOP EXPLORATIONS
THE GROWTH, USE, AND
FUTURE OF THIS
HISTORICAL NICHE CROP
Kayla MacLachlanAMS Fellow 2012
Botanical Name: Humulus Lupulus
Origin: Temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia
Growth Patterns: - Long-lived herbaceous perennial plant - 10 – 50 years!
- Dioecious plant - Will grow up to a foot/day under ideal conditions
- Worldwide between 30th and 50th latitudes, N or S
Among1st specialty crops to attract interest among enterprising, progressive farmers
Brought to the New World by English colonists and valued chiefly as an additive in beer making
Demand for hops increased in early 19th century; the North East became the epicenter of hop production
Poor farming practices and fungal diseases lead to industry collapse on the East Coast
Today, the Yakima Valley produces 70-75% of US hops , with Oregon and Idaho producing 25-30% (but this can change!)
21st Century, Nelson County, VA 18th Century, Kent, England
21st Century, Nelson County, VA
RHIZOME
YOUNG SHOOTSCLIMBING BINE
STAGES OF
GROWTH
BURR
STROBILE
MATURE CONE
FROM THIS TO THIS
- Craft breweries
- Terroir
- Organic brewing
laws
- Premium pricing
- -
WHY GROW HOPS?
