Help Bring Hops Back To Massachussetts

Help us bring hops back to Massachusetts and support local farmers and local breweries. Hops have been grown in the state since the 1630's and are native to the state. Help our team collect these wild and feral hops, identify their valuable disease resistance traits, and bring those traits into commercial hops cultivars using traditional plant breeding methods.

There are only 20 acres of hops left in Massachusetts and disease pressure is threatening the livelihood of remaining farmers and hurting small growers. With locally adapted varieties we can support local hops for local beer. Instead of unsustainably shipping hops from the Oregon or England, you can drink guilt free beer from down the road.

Funds will go towards maintaining and training a 5 year masters student in tissue culture to support larger breeding efforts and eventually provide disease free material to local farmers and enthusiasts. Funds past our goal may go to renting greenhouse space and laboratory equipment.