Showing posts with label hopyard event. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hopyard event. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

The Hop Garden Hops Workshop in Belleville, WI

It's been a while but we're still spitting out the local news about Wisconsin Hops. Here's a recent share from our friends at The Hop Garden in Belleville, Wisconsin:

Interested in Growing Hops?

Just in Your Backyard or Commercially? 

The Hop Garden is offering two workshops on growing Hops. 

We are a new Hop Yard located outside of Belleville, Wisconsin. We are located about 20 minutes south of the Beltline from Madison. Where best to learn about hops than an actual 7 acre hop yard! Workshops will be led by Rich Joseph, Co-Owner of Joseph Staudt Hop’s and The Hop Garden. Joseph Staudt Hop’s is a two acre Hop Yard located in Neosho, Wisconsin.

The Hop Garden also brews beer using its own hops and sells to over 50 retail outlets in Southern Wisconsin. Backyard Hop Growing is designed for the home brewer or the folks that just like to learn more about hops and how they are used in beer making.

 Topics covered will include where and how to plant hops, how to care for them, backyard trellis structures, fertilizing and watering, harvesting and drying, as well as packaging for future use. Cost is $15 per person or sign up as a group of two or more and the price drops to $10 per person.

Workshops start at 10:30am and will finish at Noon with Hop Garden Beer Tasting! The workshop will be offered on the following Saturday mornings: February 7th and February 28th. 
Rich Joseph of the Hop Garden in Wisconsin
Rich Joseph of The Hop Garden, Belleville, Wisconsin


The Commercial Hop Growing Workshop is designed for the person that is thinking about growing a larger amount of hops from ¼ acre which is about 250 plants to 10 acres or more. Topics will include, Hop plant structure and life, what Brewers are looking for in their hops, economics, labor requirements, hop yard planning and design, purchasing rootstock and plants, scouting for weeds and insects, harvesting options, dryer or oast design, resources available, packaging and marketing or working with Wisconsin Hop Exchange Cooperative. Cost is $60 per person or $40 per person if signing up in a group of two or more. Thumb drives with all information presented and more will be available for an additional $15.00 The Workshop will start at 9:30am and will finish at Noon with Hop Garden Beer Tasting! This workshop will be offered on the following Saturday Mornings: February 14th and March 7th How To Reserve Your Seat: The workshops will be conducted at the office of The Hop Garden. Tours will be given of the yard and facilities, weather permitting. Seating is limited to 30 people per workshop. To reserve your seat please mail a check payable to: The Hop Garden, N8668 County Road D, Belleville, Wisconsin 53508.

Please include the number of seats being reserved, the date of the meeting you are going to attend, along with an email address or home address. Once the check is received you will be sent an invoice by mail or email to confirm your reservation.

Make a day or a weekend of it and visit local breweries. We are 8 miles from New Glarus Brewing, 10 miles from Wisconsin Brewing Company in Verona, 12 miles from The Great Dane in Fitchburg, 17 miles to the Grumpy Troll in Mt. Horeb and 25 miles to Minhas Brewing in Monroe. There are excellent Hotels in all of these cities.

For more information and to learn more about our Hop Yard, please contact: Rich Joseph: 608-516-9649, rich.joseph.rj@gmail.com or visit our website: TheHopGarden.net visit us on Facebook - The Hop Garden, Belleville Wi.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Schedule published for #2013HopFest on Aug 24

The official schedule has been finalized for the 2013 Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest. This community event is next week on Saturday, August 24 starting at 11am.

Free to participate Register Now!

Thanks to Ian Bottorff for all your help!
  • 8 AM
    ~ Staff Meeting (not attendees)
  • 9 -11 AM
    ~ Event Setup
  • 11 AM
     ~ Hop Picking Begins [11am-5pm]
     ~ Beverage Samples Tapped
     ~ The EARTHLINGS on Stage [11am-3pm]
  • 12 PM
    ~ Staff/Bands Lunch
  • 1 PM
     ~ 1st HOPYARD TOUR (Meet at Hop Picking Tent)
  • 2:30 PM
     ~ 2nd HOPYARD TOUR (Meet at Hop Picking Tent)        
  • 3 PM
     ~ KICK BRICKS on Stage [3pm-5pm]
  • 4 PM
     ~ LAST HOPYARD TOUR (Meet at Hop Picking Tent)
  • 5 PM
    ~ Hop Picking Ends
  • 6 PM
    ~ Community Potluck
  • 7 PM
    ~ The Earthlings back on stage
  • 9 PM
    ~ Bonfire Lighting
    ~ Special Tapping of two Beers by Ian Bottorff

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

2012 Dodgeville, WI Hopyard Harvest Event Photos by Rachel Konsella

Special thanks goes out to all the Event Staff that pitched in last August, 2012 for the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest...Thank You. Seriously, thanks! Rachel Konsella volunteered as the Hopyard Event Photographer & Facepainter. Thanks to Rachel and her friend Brian, we are proud to present many beautiful, professional photos featuring the 2012 hop harvest in Dodgeville, Wisconsin.

Simple Earth Hops in Dodgeville, WI
One of many 2012 Wisconsin hopyard harvest photos by Rachel Konsella (link to Facebook photos)

VIEW ALL PHOTOS
from the 2012 Hopyard Harvest in  Dodgeville, WI

Read about our Community Garden Plot project in Dodgeville, WI

Monday, August 6, 2012

Hopyard Brewfest Free Tickets Still Available - SIGN UP NOW!

There are a limited number of free tickets remaining for the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest at 4352 State Rd 23, Dodgeville, WI on Saturday, August 25, 2012. Registration for this event ends Wednesday, August 22.

Eventbrite - Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest

Adult Activities

  • Hop Picking @ Noon-5pm
  • Free beer samples @ Noon-11pm
  • Free Parking
  • Hopyard Tours
  • Camping at the event $20 (Fri and/or Sat nights)
  • Community Potluck @ 6pm  (bring a dish to pass, sliverwear and plates)
  • $10 Pig Roast @ 6pm

Bands Performing

  • Before the War
  • Earthlings
  • MooGrass String Band
  • BSJ 

Family Activities

  • Bouncy castle
  • Hay rides to the hopyard
  • Free rootbeer
  • Misting funzone
  • Free music all day
  • Facepainting
  • Camping at the event $20 (Fri and/or Sat nights)
  • $10 Pig Roast @ 6pm
  • Potluck @ 6pm (bring a dish to pass, sliverwear and plates)
  • Bonfire at dusk

Links and Media Partners




Thursday, July 19, 2012

2012 Hop Harvest Brewfest Press Release Being Distributed


Marketing for the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest is in full swing. We are sending out the press release below to writers, bloggers and other beer industry news outlets:

Free Event—Sample Beer and Pick Hops in Dodgeville, Wisconsin

Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest Returns to the Farm on August 25, 2012 


F O R    I M M E D I A T E    R E L E A S E

Media Contact
Matt Sweeny | Simple Earth Hops | 262-210-4077 | fattymattybrewing@gmail.com

Media Library/Press Photos→ http://hops.me/54b8

DODGEVILLE, WISCONSIN (July 19, 2012)
Simple Earth Hops will celebrate the harvest of their 3rd year crop by hosting the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest–a family friendly beer tasting and hop picking event in Dodgeville, Wisconsin on Saturday, August 25, 2012.

"We are pleased to offer local beer samples from a hand full of talented Southwestern, Wisconsin brewers!" 

This free community event provides a family friendly space with free beverage samples, kids activities and live music for more than 100 attendees who will lend a hand from Noon to 5pm to pick hops at the hopyard (w/ a community potluck at 6pm) on the farm at 4352 State Road 23 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Ticket registration is free and required at http://hopharvest.eventbrite.com

About→ Simple Earth Hops was founded in 2009 to promote sustainable business values through growing local hops in the Midwest for small brewers. Connect on Facebook about this event or register for tickets.

When→ Saturday, August 25, 12pm-11:00pm - CST (w/ a community potluck at 6pm)

Where→ 4352 State Road 23, Dodgeville, WI 53533

### 

MEDIA PARTNERS

Monday, July 2, 2012

Tickets Available for Simple Earth Hop Harvest Brewfest


We are excited to announce that the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest will return to the farm in Dodgeville, Wisconsin on Saturday, August 25, 2012.

* Press Release permalink: http://hops.me/54b7
* Facebook Event: http://hops.me/54b6


Eventbrite - Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest

Order tickets at http://hopharvest.eventbrite.com/ Event Ticket Options option include a commemorative Simple Earth Hops "Cheers To Local Beers" beer tasting glass and/or a Simple Earth Hops "Hopyard Staff" t-shirt.
Commemorative Simple Earth Hops "Cheers To Local Beers" beer tasting glass
Simple Earth Hops "Hopyard Staff" event T-shirts
Simple Earth Hops "Hopyard Staff" event T-shirts
Participating Brewers

View Participating Brewers at the 2012 Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest in a larger map

Event Media Partners
Eventbrite - Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Hopyard Event Staff Wanted for Aug 25 Brewfest

**JULY 10, 2012 UPDATE**

2012 Staff Registration has now been filled however...


You still have the opportunity to be a part of the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest by registering for free tickets at http://hopharvest.eventbrite.com/. Show your hopyard love by purchasing a Simple Earth Hops "Hopyard Staff" shirt or a commemorative "Cheers To Local Beers" pint glass at http://hops.goodsie.com/







We are stoked to announce that the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest will return to the farm in Dodgeville, Wisconsin on Saturday, August 25, 2012. Tickets for this local beer tasting-hop picking event will be made available in July.

In the mean time...

We are looking to fill the following volunteer event staff positions:



  • Hopyard Staff Manager
  • Tasting Glass distribution
  • Hopyard event registration/reception 
  • Hoppy Merchandise
  • Server / Pourer
  • Designated driver
  • Hop Picking Manager
  • Setup/ tear-down/ clean-up
  • Parking & Hopyard Bouncers
  • Master of Ceremonies/Announcer
  • Face Painting
  • Hopyard Harvester
  • Band Roadie
  • Hop Drying
  • Hopyard Photographer
→ SIGN UP HERE 


Benefits to being a event staff member



  • Participation and experience from being a part of a beer festival event
  • Moderated sampling of beer while you are at this event while you work (except for some team members like the designated driver).
  • Warm fuzzy feelings of knowing that are helping to spread the good word about local craft beer and local hops.
  • A tasting glass for you to enjoy local beer with.
  • A chance to meet other hop growers and new friends.


Important Info



  • Staff members are requested to volunteer from 8am to 5pm at this event. 
  • You will receive your team/shift assignment by email.
  • This event takes place at 4352 State Road 23, Dodgeville, WI 53533 on Saturday, Augus t 25, 2012.
  • All the information you provide here is strictly confidential! We promise not to share it with anyone.
  • All event staff volunteers must be a minimum of 21 years of age before the event to volunteer. 
  • Be aware that volunteers represent Simple Earth Hops and we don't like mean people. 
  • Volunteering for this hopyard event may not be for you. We want friendly, fun, warm and dedicated volunteers only who don't mind being around people who are consuming beer and possibly being loud.

**Waiver of Liability

By submitting the Hoppy Registration Form, staff volunteer agrees to bear full responsibility and full liability for any and all damage or injury which might result from volunteering at this Simple Earth Hops farm event. Staff volunteers also releases and agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the Sweeny family and the Kerr family, event sponsors and their insurance carriers from any and all claims, actions or damages without any limitation whatsoever, whether consisting of personal injury, property damage or death that results in any way from any act of the volunteer while attending or volunteering at this Simple Earth Hops event.


NOTICE!

Completing this volunteer application does not guarantee your participation in the volunteer program. We will confirm your volunteer involvement as soon as possible so that you can enjoy some other fun, local event if you need to.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Poster Art Approved for Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest

Simple Earth Hops of Dodgeville, WI is proud to announce the 1st release of poster artwork for the 2012 Harvest Brewfest which will be on Saturday, August 25, 2012.


More details will be available in the coming weeks for this “Brewing Up The Community” celebration - an all day beer tasting environment for 100+ VIP attendees who will participate in hop picking at the hopyard farm in Dodgeville, Wisconsin.

Event tickets will be required and available after July 1. Keep your hoppy palettes open for this family-friendly event which will also feature hopyard tours, live music and beer samples and a community potluck with bonfire in the evening.

Stay tuned to the Simple Earth Hops Facebook page for the most up-to-date news.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Beer Release Party at Great Dane Downtown Madison April 19th


The Wisconsin Hop Exchange is proud to announce a Beer Release Party & WHEx Open House at the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company on April 19, 2012 at 6pm at their downtown Madison brewpub on Doty Street.


This Beer Release Party is open to the public and organized to celebrate yet another locally sourced beer made with hops grown by the Wisconsin Hop Exchange Cooperative's Grower Members - aka come help us drink all their WI hopped beer!

As described by the Great Dane, this beer is called HopSconsin Imperial Red is a:
"...light amberish red with intense aromatic hop nose and is frighteningly drinkable..." 
This particular ale pays homage to the hop being 9.25% ABV and was brewed at the downtown Madison brewpub.

  • Meet some Wisconsin hop growers
  • Lean about hops grown in Wisconsin
  • Get hops to make your own beer
  • Pickup a WHEx t-shirt or sticker
WHEN
6 to 9pm on April 19, 2012

WHERE
The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co’s downtown location at 123 E. Doty Street, Madison, WI.

READ MORE
Read this event’s official press release. Got friends who live near Madison and like beer? Print out the event PDF and share this event on Facebook


Show your support and come enjoy some local craft beer made with Wisconsin Hops!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Mulchfest, hop sales and surveys, oh my

2011 Mulchfest Beer Exchange
If you missed the fun at the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest or just didn't have enough time to really sit down and talk about growing hops, here is your chance. We are excited to offer just 12 tickets for the 2011 Hopyard Mulchfest Beer Exchange. Ask about on site overnight accommodations - I'll provide tasting glasses to use, dinner and working gloves and you bring your favorite local beer to share. Tickets for this 2nd annual networking opportunity are at http://mulchfest.eventbrite.com/

Short URL to register for tickets: http://hops.me/7da
Short URL to view this event on Facebook: http://hops.me/7d9

Two weeks of whole leaf hop sales
Now that all the hops have been dried, whole leaf hop orders are being accepted at http://hops.goodsie.com/ - these will be pelletized an no longer available as whole leaf hops in less than 2 weeks.

Short URL to order hop products: http://hops.me/6zn

Attendee and Staff Survey
(from the 2011 Simple Earth Harvest Brewfest)
We don't know everything about event planning (let alone horticulture or how to run a sustainable business). If you attended or volunteer at the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest, please give us some feedback using this survey platform to help narrow marketing campaigns and focus our community efforts.

Short URL for the event survey: http://hops.me/7d4
This questionnaire will not give you "survey burnout" and will take you less than a few minutes to fill out.

Subscribe via Email
You can now subscribe to updates about hop sales, hopyard events and other website posts via Feedburner, this service will send you an email every time we update the website. Subscribe to our website updates via email now!

Short URL to subscribe for email updates: http://hops.me/7d8

Photos from the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest
Below is a link to some of the photos taken at this year's Harvest Brewfest. You can also view and comment on the photos on Picasa.

Short URL for Harvest Brewfest Pics on Picasa: http://hops.me/7db

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest Tickets Available


Simple Earth Hops is proud to announce the Harvest Brewfest on August 20, 2011 from 9am to 8pm.

This “Brewing Up The Community” celebration provides an all day beer tasting environment for 160 VIP attendees who will lend 2 hours throughout the event day to pick hops at the hopyard at Greenspirit Farm CSA in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Event registration is required at http://harvestbrewfest.eventbrite.com or using the free ticket registration form below.

When registering for free tickets, attendees will indicate which 2 hour shift (between 9am-5pm) they will be available to help pick hops at the event.

Attendees will not only get hands-on experience harvesting the plants, but will learn about the benefits of growing local hops while tasting local craft beer at a friendly community space. This event will also feature tours of the hopyard with live music and beer samples from 9:00a.m. - 8:00p.m. A community potluck (dish to pass required) will begin at 6:00 p.m.

What to Bring:
  • Lawn chair
  • your favorite tasting glass
  • snacks to cleanse your palette
  • a dish to pass for the potluck
  • bug spray and sunscreen
When: Saturday, August 20 - 9:00 am-8:00 pm - CST

Where: Simple Earth Hops / 4352 State Road 23, Dodgeville, WI

Contact: Matt Sweeny at fattymattybrewing@gmail.com / SimpleEarthHops.com

Hop Sales
Wet, fresh/green hops from this Dodgeville area hopyard event are now available for pre-sale here until August 18th here: http://hops.goodsie.com/

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Thank you for attending our Wisconsin hops event

The turnout for the Hopyard Spring Training [beeradvocate.com link] this weekend was outstanding. To all weekend hops and beer event attendees-thank you for coming out, sharing and  working in the hopyard with such questionable weather. Also, thanks to Josh Sobo, Chuck Tuura, Rich Joseph, Beckie and D, Renea, John Christianson, Charlie Rhower, Andrew and Jennifer Kerr, the Chicago guys from CHAOS and so many others for your help and attendance. Below are some pictures by Beckie and Chuck of this weekend's Wisconsin commercial hops event.


Monday, April 4, 2011

Hopyard Spring Training on May 21



Only 40 Free tickets!

Register for Hopyard Spring Training in Dodgeville, WI  on Eventbrite

The newly formed Simple Earth Hops in Dodgeville, Wisconsin is opening up the hopyard for a Spring activities workshop presented by Matt Sweeny.

Attendance to this free ticketed Wisconsin hopyard event does require registration (except for Charlie and Beckie) via Eventbrite: http://hopyardspringtraining-efbevent.eventbrite.com/Free hopyard workshop event and runs from 11am to around 2pm on Saturday, May 21st, 2011.

This hands-on workshop will show you the Spring time annual maintenance in the hopyard and yes, we will be getting our hands dirty! Be prepared to learn about training hop bines and stringing the hop trellis. This free event is limited to ONLY 40 tickets.


Please Bring:
  • work gloves
  • warm-ish clothes
  • your wide-brimmed learning hat
  • a sack lunch or $10 cash for lunch
  • a beer or two to sip
  • nun-chucks

Connect with us on Facebook for up to date event information and register for free tickets at Eventbrite.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Mulchfest Beer Exchange Hopyard Event on Oct 9th


RSVP at the official Facebook Event Page.

Come back to the Dodgeville, Wisconsin hopyard on October 9th, 2010 for our Hopyard Mulch Fest Beer Exchange. We will be mulching hop plants and trading, sampling each others' beers.

Bring a six pack or growler of your favorite local beer to share and pass. It's a beer potluck!

This will be a low key work event where we will be passing some beers, eating light and mulching the hop plants within the rows with wood chips, straw, hay and other soil enriching sources.

Where?
When?

  • Saturday, October 9
    - 11:00am - 4:30pm
Interested in attending?

Please bring:
  1. a positive attitude
  2. a 6-pack or growler of your preferred brew (or food if you prefer not to drink)
  3. a long sleeve shirts and
  4. a lawn chair if you want 
We will provide:
  1. Directions on how to mulch lasagna gardening style
  2. Pint glasses
  3. Lots of mulch material and shovels
  4. a growler or 2 of local beer from Mineral Point's Brewery Creek Inn
  5. work gloves
  6. hay rides with the tractor
More information:

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Schedule for 2010 Hopyard Grand Opening

Simple Earth Hops
Grand Opening Schedule

Grand Opening Guests:
please sign in at the Hop Tree tent, guest sign-in table when your first arrive where we will: cross off your name or add you to the guest list and; check your ID and give you a serving glass.

11am
  • Volunteer meeting

Noon
  • Grand Opening begins
  • Beer taps open at the Hop Tree tent 
  • Beelzebillies on stage at the Hop Tree tent [12pm-3pm]

1pm
  • Guided hopyard tour

4:00pm
  • Logueflower & Friends performance at the Hop Tree tent

4:30pm
  • Last guided hopyard tour

5:30pm
  • Hopyard ribbon cutting
  • Press conference

7:00pm
  • Grand Opening Potluck
  • Bring a dish to pass, utensils and plates and a chair

Throughout the day
  • Self-guided hopyard tours
  • Hop info handouts and fliers at the Hop Tree tent, guest sign-in table
  • Face painting
  • Farm tours
  • Hay rides 

 For more information:

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Hopyard Grand Opening Labor Day 2010


You Are Invited!
Please RSVP on Facebook for the Simple Earth Hops Grand Opening

When?
@ noon-7pm / Sept., 4, 2010.

Simple Earth Hops is proud to present the 1st installment in a series of hopyard event titled "Brewing Up a Community".

The Grand Opening is family friendly, free and open to the public. This event will feature tours of the hopyard, live music, tours of the Organic farm and more (from Furthermore). The Grand Opening will start at noon to 7pm and a potluck will begin at 7pm (bring a dish if you are staying after 7pm).

When?
Saturday, Sept., 4, 2010, Labor Day weekend

Hopyard Grand Opening Location
The Hopyard @ Greenspirit Farm
4352 State Road 23
Dodgeville, WI 53533
    Hopyard Tours and Furthermore sampling
    • @ noon-7pm
    • limit 2 samples

    Potluck 
    • @ 7pm-9pm 
    • Be SURE to bring a dish to pass and...
      a plate and utensils to eat with.

    What Else?

    Tuesday, June 29, 2010

    Volunteers Wanted for Hopyard Open House on 9-4-2010

    Registration for this free Open House event has not yet begun. The Open House will be on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, in this year of 2010.

    We are still working out some of the details on this Open House event but in the mean time we need to begin recruiting volunteers to assist with a number of duties including:

    • Servers: needed to pour Furthermore Beer.
    • Info Booth: these lucky volunteers will hand out 2011 harvest fliers and will manage the information booth table.
    • Raffle: responsible for selling raffle tickets and will run the raffle at 5pm.
    • Designated Drivers: these volunteers will be giving people a ride home if they need it. No alcoholic beverage sampling while working on this volunteer assignment.
    • Set-up / Tear-down / Clean-up: this team will help setup, tear down and clean up at the Open House location.
    • Cup Distribution: these volunteers will distribute our earth-friendly cups to guests and will also need to check the ID's of anyone who looks under 21.
    • Greeters and Volunteer Managers: this team will show arriving guests where the Open House is located on the farm, will work with the bouncer at the end of the night, will check-in all volunteers and will show volunteers what their assignments are and where they will be working at the Open House.
    • Bouncer & Traffic:  Show guest where to park as they pull in the farm driveway. Greeting guests and assisting hopyard Open House attendees with entrance and exiting the farm at the end of the event. No alcoholic beverage sampling while working on this volunteer assignment.
    Volunteers are requested to serve on 1 of 2 shifts from 12pm to 4pm (1st shift) or 4pm to 8pm-ish (2nd shift) or you can indicate that you would like to work as a volunteer for both shifts of the event.

    Benefits to being a volunteer include participation in this Open House event and sampling of beer while you are at this event while you work (except for some team members like the designated driver and bouncer teams).

    • You will receive your team/shift assignment for the Simple Earth Hops Open House by email.
    • The Open House will take place at 4352 State Road 23, Dodgeville, WI 53533 on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010.
    • All the information you provide here is strictly confidential! We promise not to share it with anyone.
    • All volunteers must be a minimum of 21 years of age before the event to volunteer. IDs will be checked!
      Please be aware that volunteers represent Simple Earth Hops. 

    If the thought of bringing a water bottle and remaining sober during some or all of hopyard event is not what you are in for, volunteering may not be for you. We want friendly, fun and dedicated volunteers only.

    **Waiver of Liability: By submitting the Volunteer Registration Form, volunteer agrees to bear full responsibility and full liability for any and all damage or injury which might result from volunteering at the Simple Earth Hops Open House. Volunteers also releases and agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the Sweeny family of Simple Earth Hops, the Kerr family at Greenspirit Farm, event sponsors and their insurance carriers from any and all claims, actions or damages without any limitation whatsoever, whether consisting of personal injury, property damage or death that results in any way from any act of the volunteer while attending or volunteering at the Simple Earth Hops Open House.

    NOTICE! Completing this volunteer application does not guarantee your participation in the volunteer program. We will confirm your volunteer involvement as soon as possible so that you can enjoy some other fun, local event if you need to.


    Thanks to Furthermore Beer of Spring Green, Wisconsin for providing the brew for this Open House venue.

    Monday, May 10, 2010

    Midwest hop varieties planted this weekend

    Thanks to everyone who helped out with planting the hops on Saturday including:
    • Josh Soboleski
    • Darryl Moffitt
    • Charlie Rohwer
    • Beckie Sweeny
    • Steven Shoemaker
    • Renea Sweeny
    250 plants went into the ground thanks to these generous volunteers.

    Tuesday, May 4, 2010

    Hop trellis upper cables complete

    Yesterday we finished the upper trellis cables by stringing the cross and main row cables on the top of the hop trellis poles using a 2-man aerial lift rental. All the hop trellis cable hardware installation was done by the generous Mike Karnatz of Chicago.

    Next up is to till the existing 10 rows of hops, mulch the rows with straw, transplant the sprouted hop plants and seed and plant some beneficial insect attracting prairie plants, herbs and flowers into the hopyard.

    A press release will be distributed in the next few weeks followed up by an open house once the plants are in the ground. Hope you can make it to this next event and I will share the dates with you once we have nailed them down.


    Monday, April 26, 2010

    Building the hop trellis

    This weekend we built the 1/4 acre hop trellis in the rain.

    There are so may team member volunteers and others to thank including Bryan Nelson, Aran Madden, Scot Hansen, Mike Karnatz, Andy Anderson, Matt Girman, all of the Kerr family, Gene from the extension office, my lovely wife Renea Sweeny, my sister Beckie Sweeny and bro Darryl, Bob Matts, Barb Kalicki, Roger Reynolds and all of the crew from the black locust hauling mission.

    Here are some pictures which were taken by Barb Kalicki... thanks Barb!



    Here are some pictures taken by the Simple Earth Hops Resident Photographer, my sister, Beckie Sweeny.
    Simple Earth Hops - Trellis Setup