LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will grow hops at five locations across the state this summer to test the beer ingredient’s potential as a crop here.
Demand for hops is increasing significantly along with the microbreweries that use it. Currently, 98 percent of the hops grown in America are produced in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Michigan.
Associate Professor Stacy Adams says growing hops could give farmers an additional revenue stream alongside their other crops. And hops used to be grown in Nebraska before prohibition.
Hops will be grown at UNL’s East Campus in Lincoln and its Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff. Three cooperating farmers will also try growing hops near Valparaiso, Norfolk and Sutton.
An $83,000 state grant is paying for the project.