University News

Educational Programming for Growing Hops Presented in Macomb, Lewistown

June 14, 2017

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MACOMB, IL – The Illinois Cooperative Development Center in the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University is partnering with the University of Illinois Extension program and Hallowed Hops Farm to present educational programming about growing hops as an alternative crop both commercially and on a small scale.

As a new generation of commercial and home brewers emerge, the demand for locally grown hops is on the rise. On Friday-Saturday, July 14-15 programming about growing hops in the Midwest will be presented free in Macomb and Lewistown.

The programs include:

• Friday, July 14 - The University of Illinois Extension Small Farms and Local Foods Educator Grant McCarty will present "Growing Hops for Homebrewers," detailing how to get started growing hops in the Midwest. Grant will cover disease and insect management, irrigation setup, harvesting and marketing hops to local brewers.

This program will be held at the McDonough County Extension Office and 4-H Center from 6-8 p.m. This program is open free to the public. Registration is encouraged, but not required. Register online at go.illinois.edu/Hops4Homebrew. For more information, call (309) 342-5108 or email achriste@illinois.edu. This event is hosted by University of Illinois Extension.

• Saturday, July 15 – Eric and Caleb Kotewa, Hallowed Hops Farm, McCarty and Sean Park will presents an educational workshop at The Hallowed Hops Farm Field Day near Lewiston, IL. The Hallowed Hops Farm Field Day will offer the opportunity to experience a living, working hops yard. This event runs from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and includes a tour of the farm, discussion of industry details, lunch, educational workshops and networking.

Space is limited and registration is required. Registration can be completed online at iira.org/event-registration/?ee=16. For more information, call (800) 526-9943 or email icdc@wiu.edu. This event is sponsored by Illinois Cooperative Development Center and Hallowed Hops Farm.

Anyone interested in growing hops, home brewing, or the drink local movement is encouraged to attend either of these events for a chance to ask questions and learn from experts in the field.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing