MOUNTAIN HOP EXPLORATIONS THE GROWTH, USE, AND FUTURE OF THIS HISTORICAL NICHE CROP THE GROWTH, USE, AND FUTURE OF THIS HISTORICAL NICHE CROP Kayla MacLachlan AMS 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 30 th and 50 th latitudes, N or S 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 30 th and 50 th latitudes, N or S

Among1 st 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 19 th 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!)

21 st Century, Nelson County, VA 18 th Century, Kent, England 21 st Century, Nelson County, VA

RHIZOME YOUNG SHOOTS CLIMBING BINE

BURR STROBILE MATURE CONE

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- Craft breweries - Terroir - Organic brewing laws - Premium pricing- WHY GROW HOPS?