International Hop Convention Recognizes Six Eastern Washingtonians

The International Hop Growers Convention, the biennial even that brings the hops community from all over the world together, will be celebrating the International Order of the Hop Awards Tuesday at the Yakima Convention Center.

Jaki Brophy, Communications Director of Hop Growers Northwest said the event last came to Yakima 10 years ago.

“It always meets in the spring and that’s when the Order of the Hop Award winners are recognized. It’s the highest honor you can receive as a hop growers or as a member of the hop community.”

The Convention will talk about research, plant protection, harmonization for trade and opening up trade.

Brophy said because so much of the U.S.’ hop acreage is grown in the Yakima Valley, perhaps it’s not surprising that many of Order recipients are from that area.

“But it is quite something special and it just shows how special the growing area is in our community here when we have that many people who are receiving this award.”

The six Yakima Valley honorees are Gene Probasco, Ed St. Mary, Keith Reil, Dan Newhouse, Keith Houser and Doug Walsh.

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