Also called: Hop Farmer
Grows hops, the climbing plant that gives beer its bitterness and aroma, on tall trellises.
Hop farmers in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho train vines up 18-foot strings each spring, scout for mildew all summer, and run around-the-clock harvest and drying in August. They work closely with brewers who want specific aroma varieties.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Family farm experience; many study crop science or ag business.
Ways in: On-the-job training, 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Crop Science, Agricultural Business.
Growing about average. The Pacific Northwest grows nearly all U.S. hops.
Low risk for 10 years. Drones and sensors help with disease and irrigation; stringing trellises, harvest and brewer relationships stay human.
Classes: Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture science CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 11-9013.
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