The USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service recently mailed survey forms to hop growers in the prominent hop growing regions of the United States (Washington, Oregon and Idaho), to collect data for the annual Hop Acreage Strung for Harvest report, to be published June 11.  USDA NASS will also begin collecting data on organic hop acreage as well. 

Because hop acreage is increasing around the U.S., Hop Growers of America is attempting to quantify this new acreage outside of the traditional growing regions of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. This is a prime opportunity for commercial Michigan hop growers to stand up and be counted! If you are a commercial grower, you can fill out this form (deadline is May 28, 2014), and send it to Ann George at Hop Growers of America (contact information below). This data will be combined with the NASS data to provide a more accurate picture of hop acreage throughout the U.S. You can download the survey form at Michigan State University Extension’s hop webpage http://www.hops.msu.edu.

As Michigan’s hop industry continues to grow, those of us who work in the industry fully support these data-collection efforts. With an understanding of the total hop acreage in Michigan we will have an indication of the annual supply of Michigan hops by variety.  Accurate acreage and variety information is very useful for craft brewers in Michigan and beyond.

Finally, please mark your calendar for the sixth annual Northwest Michigan Hops Tour has been slated for Aug. 15 in Traverse City, Michigan.

Hop Growers contact info

Ann E. George, Administrator
Washington Hop Commission, Hop Growers of America,
US Hop Industry Plant Protection Committee, and Hop Growers of Washington
PO Box 1207, 301 W. Prospect Place
Moxee, WA  98936  USA
Tel: 509.453.4749
Fax: 509.457.8561
Email: ageorge@wahops.org