Nearly one year ago, I  prepared my application for a Fellowship Grant with the Farmer Veteran Coalition. The program offers grants to veteran and military members that are looking to expand their farm business. After much consideration, the husband and I elected to propose to use the grant towards an unexpected source. Hops where taking off in Ohio and while we were a year ahead of many area growers, we knew that this chapter in our family wouldn't allow for rapid organic hop yard growth. The CSA trial had gone fairly well and we learned more than we ever imagined about the model and the interests of area families. Our plan was to tend our hop yard, strengthen our relationship with other growers, support the return of hops to Ohio, fine tune the option of a 2016 CSA, and seek additional revenues for our farm. To this, we sought an investment that would fuel the farm, feed our community, and strengthen our position as a family farm. We choose to e...

Just a few weeks back, Ted and I (Jess) took a few minutes to reflect upon all that has changed in the hop growing game since we started. In just three short years, the dynamic has shifted a great deal! When we began, suppliers were hard to find, rhizomes were sold out within a week, and Spring was full of yard expansion, soil preparation, pole installation, and more! Now, growers have wised up to the prospect of plugs. Plants are available year round for leisurely yard expansions, and suppliers are plentiful. When we began, there were no hop processing facilities in the STATE. Now, several growers have shouldered the mission of processing the Ohio's hop harvest! Since we started growing hops in 2013, the craft beer craze has grown in Ohio and across the country. With 2015 as our the first year for a potential full harvest, we were lucky to have struck at the right moment to take advantage of this growing trend. Small Farm Central, who runs the Farm Marketing Minute blog, asked u...

Hop Shoots are a delicacy for hop growers and culinary enthusiasts, alike. Available for only a short window at the start of the growing season, hop shoots are a treasure to enjoy! When the perennial plant, humulus lupulus (hops) emerge in the spring, they need to be pruned back before ascending up their trellis. This pruning allows hop shoots to grace the table of those so inclined. Tonight the Hop Haus family enjoyed a fine meal which included our very own hop shoots -- quite a treat!!

Have you heard? There is a new shop on Etsy that features all sorts of hops treasures for the beer, brewing, sipping, humulus lupulus, hop growing enthusiast! https://www.etsy.com/shop/HopHaus?ref=pr_shop_more Hops are fun and we like to have fun with them! The Hop Shop is just the place to find all the hop treasures you've been looking for! The Hop Shop will increase its offerings as the hop season progresses! Check back frequently for all sorts of hand made, hop themed goodies!!!!!

The newest thing in the hop yard for 2015 is our CSA trial. We've invited a few local friends to participate in an inaugural Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) here at the farm.  Offerings will include organic veggies, free range eggs, handwoven kitchen towels, herbs, flowers, and of-course HOPS! Should our inaugural experience work out for everyone, we may open enrollment to a larger circle in 2016. Keep an eye on our Facebook and twitter for updates on the Hop Haus CSA as the year continues. This is a very exciting step for all of us involved in the farm!!! As always, THANK YOU for supporting our farm, thank you for supporting our family! Cheers, Schneiders