NO FARMS NO BEER!!!!

Who Are We???
We are a woman owned 2 acre hop farm located in Chatham New York, serving local farm breweries and micro breweries in all counties of the State.  We also sell to home brewers nationwide.  The farm proudly participates in the NYS Grown & Certified program of which we are recognized for being certified for farm safe food handling and environmentally responsible practices.


New York was once the leading hop grower in the nation but due to prohibition and disease, crops died off.  Recent legislation is providing incentives to farm breweries to buy from local farmers in an attempt to bring hops back to New York.  This year, farm brewers are charged with using 60% of NYS grown ingredients.   So this means you as the consumer are benefiting by having more and more craft beer available to you that is grown and brewed right in your home town.  We are very proud to be able to support this initiative.   

While we are a farm, we do not have the equipment that a typical farm would have.  Everything is rented, purchased or shared between other farms.  This makes being sustainable very challenging.  It is a common issue with hop farmers.   Much is needed to care for and harvest these wonderfully smelling cones that make their way into you beer.  


State and Federal grants and/or sponsorships are often awarded to the very large farms but there is not much available to support the little guys.  This is where we need your help!

How You Can Help to Keep the Hops Local:
The next BIG event coming up for the farm is the actual harvest which is less than a month away.  Harvest lasts a little over a month as each variety matures at different times.  We process our own bines in addition to other area farms.  We own a Wolf 220 picker that aids in the process.  Have you ever hand picked a bine?  We did once and decided to never do it by hand AGAIN!  Check the above video out to see how the picker works (Link also below)!  

https://youtu.be/SaSF5xq42Hg


This Wolf can process over 250 bines per hour.  The harvester can run either by 3 phase electric or by a generator.  Installing 3 phase to the barn is not practical so we rent a generator which costs $2,000 per month.  For efficiency purposes we need to have a generator onsite prior to harvest for maintenance/tune up work and then be available for 1.5 months for harvesting which could equate to 3 months.  That would equal a whooping $6000!  This is really not practical when we can buy an army surplus model for that same dollar amount plus some for shipping. 

The purchase of a generator is our goal for year round power on the harvester allowing all the farmers to harvest when the crop is ready instead of rushing.  This allows for a quality product.

BUT WAIT WE ARE NOT DONE!!!! 
Once we reach our goal, 10% of the proceeds will be donated to the New York Farm Bureau Foundation for Agricultural Education. See their website here:  https://nyfbfoundation.org/ . Their mission is inform and educate all New Yorker's regarding agriculture and to increase understanding of agriculture between the farm and non-farm public. They area a 501 c3 “Charitable” Education Foundation.  My favorite thing about these guys are they have special programs geared to educate our children.   This is a perfect way to expose them to the world of agriculture and the importance of how and where the food on their plates come from.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
To make this all happen we are asking for our followers, supporters and customers to SPONSOR A HOP BINE @ $5 each.  You can sponsor one or many.  You can donate more or less.  Every little bit counts! 

WHATS IN IT FOR YOU?
Each person that donates $5 will receive our cool #nofarmsnobeer magnet and your name or business will be advertised on our website sponsorship page as a contributor with additional advertisement on social media.   Put them on your car, fridge or on your brew barrel!!!  


For those that donate $20 or more will receive one of our custom beer bottle insulators and your name or business will be advertised on our website sponsorship page as a contributor with additional advertisements on social media.  These insulators are very limited (Qty 10) and once they are gone, they are gone so get them while you can!



You can also choose to be anonymous if you wish.

With your gift, please know that you not only will be supporting your local farmer become sustainable, but you will be helping all the area hop farmers who come to us for harvest services.  Harvest timing is paramount for an optimal hops and your gift takes the stress off each farmer having to rush their harvest due to lack of resources.  You will also be playing a big part in helping to bring hop yards back to New York as it once was.  And don't forget, when our goal is reached, you will helping to boost the agricultural education of the next generation through our children and the NY Farm Bureau's Foundation work.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve our local community through this effort.   Thank you all in advance for everything.  Remember #nofarmsnobeer !

SAVE A FARM, SPONSOR A HOP BINE!!!!