Hops Production - First Friday Tours
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Growers and others interested in learning more about the Ohio hops research at The Ohio State University can attend tours of its hop fields in both Piketon and Wooster.
The Hops Production to Enhance Economic Opportunities for Farmers and Brewers project is offering early stage growers, advanced growers and anyone else interested in hops production an opportunity to tour the hop research trials. The trials are taking place at The Ohio State University South Centers in Piketon and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster.
Participants can learn basic information on how to get started in hops production as well as what resources may be available to help growers. The tours will feature basic information on the ins and outs of hops production, including trellis construction, drip irrigation and how to evaluate which variety of hops growers are interested in producing. The tours will also feature discussions on hop yard construction, establishment cost, bine training, irrigation, variety selection and fertilization.
The hops tours are from 10 am to noon on first Fridays of May, June, September, October and November. Participants will get to see an overview of the research conducted at the South Centers and a tour of the Piketon facilities.. The Wooster tours will also be offered at the OARDC Horticultural Research Unit 2, 5082 Oil City Road. The Wooster tours are hosted by Mary Gardiner, an Ohio State entomologist and led by Chelsea Smith, an Ohio State entomology research assistant. The South Centers tours are hosted by Brad Bergefurd, an Ohio State Extension educator, and assisted by Thom Harker, an Ohio State horticulture research assistant.
Interested parties must register by the Wednesday before the tour by contacting Charissa McGlothin at 740-289-2071, ext. 132, or mcglothin.4@osu.edu. Registration is $15 per family or farm.