Aug. 6, 2020
Hops virtual field tour on tap for Aug. 20
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts
- Free Aug. 20 webinar covers basics of hops production
- Learn about cultivar selection, trellising, pest management and harvest practices
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LITTLE ROCK — Horticulture experts with the Cooperative Extension Service will host a Hops Virtual Field Tour on Aug. 20 for growers and brewers interested in learning about hops production and using locally grown hops in brewing.
The Cooperative Extension Service is the outreach and education arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
“Although hops are primarily grown in the Pacific Northwest, Arkansas’ burgeoning microbrewery industry, along with a general trend toward enjoying the unique aroma and flavor profiles that hops impart on craft beer, has piqued the interests of Arkansas researchers, home growers, and microbrewers about the potential for growing hops here in Arkansas,” said Amanda McWhirt, extension commercial horticulture specialist for the Division of Agriculture.
The webinar will cover the basics of hops production in Arkansas. It will include a virtual visit to the hops yard at the University of Arkansas Fruit Research Station in Clarksville to look at cultivar selection, trellising, pest management and harvest practices.
Arkansas hops grower Ronnie Ledford from River Valley Hops in Logan County and brewer Liz Preston with Prestonrose Farm & Brewery Co. in Paris, Arkansas, will also share their experiences. Researchers and growers will be on hand to answer questions live at the end of the webinar.
A grant from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Program supports the virtual field tour. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @AR_Extension.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Media contact:
Tracy Courage
Director, Communications Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
tcourage@uada.edu