Agribusiness contributes more than $1.5 billion to the regional economy of western Michigan, and the new Michigan Hop Network hopes to assist hop farmers in adding to that total. With a startup grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, local economic development agencies joined with hop farmers to form the only network of its kind outside the Pacific Northwest, the hop-growing hub of the US. The organization wants to strengthen the craft brewing supply chain through education, research, marketing and sharing best practices in hop cultivation. According to the Michigan State University Extension, over 200 acres (81 hectares) of commercial hops were grown in Michigan in 2013 with more acreage planned in 2014. The state also has 10 hop-harvesting centers and eight processing centers. Local hop growers supply much of their product to Michigan craft brewers.
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