Contact: Kimberly Osborne (304) 766-3363 kosborne@wvstateu.edu INSTITUTE, W.Va. – West Virginia State University (WVSU) Extension Service is seeking growers to participate in a research project to determine the viability of regional hops production. The project is designed to help West Virginia’s farmers tap into an unmet and continually growing industry need.
“We’re working to connect West Virginia farmers with the commerical production of hops and, in turn, foster new economic development opportunities,” said WVSU Extension Agent Brad Cochran. “By the completion of the project, we aim to determine the best hops to grow here in West Virginia to support and expand our brewing industry.”
Hops are flowers of the hop plant and a key flavoring and stability agent in beer production, a growing industry in West Virginia. In conjunction with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA), WVSU Extension Service seeks to determine the varieties of hops that will work best with West Virginia’s climate and conditions.
The project is a three-year commitment requiring growers to collect data on the growing habits of hops. Interested growers must submit an application, with up to six chosen for participation. Three of those selected will receive plant materials, trellising materials, soil amendments and scales for weight measurement. Additional selected growers will receive plant materials.
The project is funded through WVDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grants Program. WVSU received nearly $23,000 to determine proper growing and management techniques, the varieties that perform best in our state’s climate and the level of interest in the commodity from both farmers and brewers.
An application is available online at and must be received by March 20 for consideration.
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