Hops producer acquires farm

Hops producer acquires farm

Hopyards of Kent is located in Greenville. Photo via fb.com

A hops farm in the area is under new ownership.

Rockford-based West Michigan Hopyards, or WMH, said yesterday it has acquired Hopyards of Kent in Greenville, at 11908 Elkins St. NE.

WMH bought Hopyards of Kent from Pam Miller and Jon Miller, who founded the hopyard in 2011.

The co-owners of WMH, founded in 2013, are Mark Catlin, Bryan Posthumus and Jason Jaekel.

Hopyards of Kent usually produces more than 16,000 pounds of dried hop per year, Jaekel said.

WMH said it will now manage the growing, processing and marketing of 33 acres of hops, including the 14 acres from Hopyards of Kent it acquired.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to bring on a pioneer in the hop industry,” Posthumus said. “Growers throughout the state have looked to Hopyards of Kent for guidance as they developed their farms. Their reputation of quality was the primary driver in our decision.”

Hopyards of Kent will have up to 15 seasonal labors working in the field.