Hello from Northern NY!

[hillbillyhopfarm]

Hello guys and gals. Quick summary on me and my business venture. I am a 35 year old nurse here in Northern NY. A few months ago I was doing some research on my parents 45 acre property and....it was massive hop farm in the early 1900's! This land is just sitting. So I decided to start a hop farm. I have a separate well for irrigation, plenty of straight tall trees for the trellis, and perfectly balanced ph soil, lots of sunshine and a ton of fresh manure from the barn nextdoor! There are quite a few microbreweries in my neck of the woods so I am hoping to market first to them!

 

[TheCADJockey]

Awesome man. Welcome and good luck with your new adventure.

 

[Pyg]

Welcome,

You are WAY north in NY!!!

 

[RomanRider]

Hi there neighbor to the north! What varieties are you going to try growing? At brew club meeting last night word from an industry insider was that hops prices are/are going way up this year.
I grow Centennial in my yard & they do great here in our climate. I am going to try to prepare another planting area this year to add another variety next year.

 

[broadbill]

Welcome and good luck with the farm-

two recommendations I have:

You might want to visit those breweries and ask if they are interested in a local product. The problem that I see with this venture is that the big boys out west are already supplying a high-quality, consistent, and cheap product to these guys. What are you going to offer?

I'd also go talk to the Cornell Cooperative extension. The land grant ivy tower is big into getting hop farms started in the state. They should have nothing but unbridled enthusiasm for your project, and some information too!

 

[Genghis]

My wife's parents have a cottage just outside Malone on Titus Mountain. Love heading out there in the winter.

Quick question... is there anywhere in Malone that has a good selection of beer? I know I can always grab a 12 of Sierra Nevada at Walmart, but it would be awesome to find a place with a little more variety on the shelves.

Good luck with the farm!

 

[hillbillyhopfarm]

Yes I am!

 

[hillbillyhopfarm]

Hi there neighbor to the north! What varieties are you going to try growing? At brew club meeting last night word from an industry insider was that hops prices are/are going way up this year.
I grow Centennial in my yard & they do great here in our climate. I am going to try to prepare another planting area this year to add another variety next year.

Honestly I don't know. I've talked to some local brewers and they have said not to grow what they want just to grow good quality hops and they will develop a beer around that. Suggestions?

 

[hillbillyhopfarm]

Welcome and good luck with the farm-

two recommendations I have:

You might want to visit those breweries and ask if they are interested in a local product. The problem that I see with this venture is that the big boys out west are already supplying a high-quality, consistent, and cheap product to these guys. What are you going to offer?

I'd also go talk to the Cornell Cooperative extension. The land grant ivy tower is big into getting hop farms started in the state. They should have nothing but unbridled enthusiasm for your project, and some information too!

Yes I have spoke to many already. Some are getting hops from the west however with the legislation passed for tax incentives farm brewers have to use 20% local ingredients. Within ten years that is expected to be at 90% local ingredients. I also have been talking with Cornell Cooperative as well as Northeast Hop Alliance who have pelletizing machines and other goodies! Thanks for the advice

 

[TheCADJockey]

I'd also go talk to the Cornell Cooperative extension. The land grant ivy tower is big into getting hop farms started in the state. They should have nothing but unbridled enthusiasm for your project, and some information too!

I grow nugget on my parents land. Those guys randomly show up now and then just geeking out over the hops and we only have the one plant. Definitely have a chat with them.

 

[hillbillyhopfarm]

My wife's parents have a cottage just outside Malone on Titus Mountain. Love heading out there in the winter.

Quick question... is there anywhere in Malone that has a good selection of beer? I know I can always grab a 12 of Sierra Nevada at Walmart, but it would be awesome to find a place with a little more variety on the shelves.

Good luck with the farm!

Yes I actually live in Malone. Pretty place for sure! Actually if you head over to Saranac Lake, Lake Placid area, there are many different kinds of beer! Thanks so much for the kind words!

 

[ultra_cas]

Check out the UVM (University of Vermont) hop farm here:
http://www.uvm.edu/extension/cropsoil/hops

I believe the person in charge is Heather Darby. They have a hop farm up in Alburg, VT not far from you. They've done a lot of research on what varieties do well up here.

I got a bunch of their leaf hops from them last year, good quality. I know some of the local breweries up here also use some of their hops. Lots of good research there for you to take a look at.

Good luck.

 

[Cyclman]

Welcome to the group, from CO

Good luck on the venture.

 

[BrooklynTom]

Welcome and good luck... from the other end of the state.