Hops and Dairy Partnering in Granger

Neighboring hops and dairy farms in the Yakima Valley are helping each other deal with byproducts and production in a partnership that could lead to more like it in agriculture.

Tyler Carpenter, head of employee safety and quality control at Carpenter Ranches said he was connected with his neighbor through an organic company.

“We’re both trying to find a way to get rid of the excess byproduct that’s both sustainable and responsible to the environment and for our community.”

Organix takes dairy manure and waste from hop production and composts them into a natural, organic product that can be used to help as compost for hop growing.

Carpenter said when they use this compost on their fields, it reduces the need for fertilizer use, but that’s not all.

“It helps with the soil structure, water drainage. You get those organic matter levels up which is good for the micro-organisms in the soil to help feed them and do their processes.”

For dairy producers, Carpenter said this gives them a place for their manure that is beneficial and sustainable.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail krounce@cherrycreekradio.com.