Ontario Hop Growers' Association The OHGA is a not-for-profit association of hop growers, families and enthusiasts who are interested in supporting the growth of the hop industry in Ontario.
Ontario really is “hopping,” judging by the turnout at the organization’s inaugural Annual General Meeting in Guelph Feb. 2, 2013.
About 30 growers, affiliate members and members of the public showed up for the event at the annual Organic Conference at the University of Guelph. The organization was formed a year ago to incorporate and has nearly doubled in size since then.
Moving forward this year, the fledging association will be filing an application to incorporate as a provincial horticultural association.
In terms of the 2013-14 executive, Nicholas Schaut will continue on as president for a second term. Melanie Doerksen will be taking over as vice president; Hugh Brown sliding into the – secretary position; Gail Goldsack Winters – as treasurer and Daniel Sabourin as director.
Thank you to Dai Matthews and Shane Eby for their involvement and participation in getting the organization going during the inaugural year.
Members also voted to give the executive the authority to strike four sub committees to help promote the growth and development of the hop industry in Ontario. Those sub-committees are:
1) MARKETING & PROMOTION (Chairman: Melanie Doerksen)
2) EDUCATIONAL / INFORMATIONALS (Chairman: Gail Winters)
3) FUNDING / RESEARCH (Chairman: Hugh Brown)
4) PROCUREMENT / BULK ORDERING (Chairman: Daniel Sabourin)
The executive committee has selected leads to sit on each sub-committee, who will be reaching out to members over the next several weeks to get set up and delegate tasks.
In terms of next steps, the executive will be focusing on organization and advanced Hop Growing workshop for members and for members of the public with agronomist Julien Venne, MSc. on Saturday, March 9, 2013. The event will be held 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Cool Beer Brewing Company (Click for MAP), 164 Evans Ave. Etobicoke Ont. M8Z 1J4.
– 30 –
