Driftless Appetite

Meet Matt Sweeny of Simple Earth Hops.  He is a farmer whose passion is ethically grown hops for local beer producers. 

Simple Earth Hops is a new 1/4 acre hopyard located at Greenspirit Farm CSA in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. The hopyard was founded with the idea of providing a much needed agricultural product for local craft brewers. Simple Earth Hops was established to demonstrate that local farmers can produce a consistent, sustainable supply of ultra high quality hops by working directly with local craft brewers while still maintaining a focus on ecology, the land and the people involved.

Matt with hops.  (Photo by Renea Sweeny, Simple Earth Hops)

Funding for Simple Earth Hops is provided in part by a 2009 USDA-SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) grant. This small-scale commercial hopyard has been established by the Sweeny family of Dodgeville, Wisconsin who slowly grow earth friendly hops for local brewers with similar locavore ethics.

They be having an Open House on Labor Day Weekend, September 4, 2010 at the hopyard.  You may elect to volunteer  or just simply attend.  Furthermore Beer will be served.  We’ll be there for a toast or three!  Are you?  Best wishes Sweeny family.