Latest Newsletter

Tag Archives hops

Hops growing on a standard trellis structure in Norfolk County.
Crops, Markets

Growing for new markets

Specialty crop production has many hurdles

By
Ontario produces a wide range of crops but that range could be even greater if farmers had access to more production information and markets.  Evan Elford, new crop development specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), considers market identification the top challenge for specialty crops, whether they are new or […] Read more
Hops grow well in Canada, but there hasn’t been the expected uptake of local varieties by Canadian brewers.
Crops, News

Hop producers continue to sit on previous years’ crop

Change in beer novelties and international supply lowers demand for Canadian product

By
Hop production has exploded in recent years in North America as producers assumed local breweries would value their product – but continuous difficult market situations have Ontario growers sitting on product they can’t sell. The explosion led to the highest acreage numbers of hops seen since “1996(ish),” says Evan Elford, new crop development specialist with […] Read more
Laurie Thatcher-Craig and John Craig in their hops yard.
News

Hopping mad

Why a move by Clearview Township to restrict some on-farm processing could have implications for value-adding across the province

By
Clearview Township hops grower says a bylaw passed earlier this year means it has fewer rights than apple and grape growers to market directly to consumers. The bylaw passed in March means no farmers other than those growing grapes and apples can create consumer products on farm with an alcohol content. While apple growers can […] Read more
Edgar Ramirez, of Pleasant Valley Hops, and Kris Mattucci of the OAFVC pour ground-up hops cones into a pelletizer.
News

The value of a local food incubator

Northumberland and area farmers have grown their businesses thanks to a multi-service food processing facility

By
When Northumberland County opened its Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre (OAFVC) in 2015, it didn’t know if the farmers who supported the concept in studies and surveys would use it. Three years later, the centre is used by numerous farmers and businesses and it has helped them take their business to another level. Why it matters: […] Read more
Jim Soetmans, left, Laura Soetmans, Mary Donkers and Joe Donkers are owners of Stonepicker Brewing near Forest.
News

On-farm breweries grow

A hobby has turned into a growing business for a couple of Lambton County farmers

By
You can’t mistake the fact you’re arriving at an on-farm brewery when you arrive at Stonepicker Brewing. There’s the McCormick Deering antique tractor at the end of the lane, the idled hog barn you pass on the way to the brewery building and the 1933 Case C hanging from the wall above the bar when […] Read more

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

Glacier Farmmedia Podcast