Cornell Cooperative Extension is working to make that kind of start-up information available to farmers, along with warning them about the labor intensive process that can come along with growing hops.
"Setting up the trellis, trying to keep the weeds out, every year the plants have to be touched three times in the early spring to get them started on the strings," Kate Fisher said.
Still, the Fishers say the product of their 7,500 plants now are now bought by local microbrewers and used to make everything from hops soap to mustard.
Miller says he expects other small farmers to increase their acreage and the chance more locally-grown and brewed beers will make their way to consumers.
If you're interested in learning more about how to grow hops, call the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County at (315) 684-3001.
