Hops Field Day - Spring 2026

June 2nd, 2026 @ 9:30 am - 2:00 pm Gulf Coast Research and Education Center 14625 Co Rd 672, Wimauma, FL 33598 Tentative Agenda 9:30 am Registration (lobby) 9:50 am Welcome 10:00 – 11:20 am Hopyard tour 11:30 – 11:50 pm Pest management hands-on session Dr. Gary Vallad, Plant Pathologist, GCREC Dr. Hugh Smith, Entomologist, GCREC Dr. Johan Desaeger, Nematologist, GCREC 11:50– 12:20 pm Lunch 12:20 – 1:30 pm Presentations Promising Hop Selections for Potential Cultivar Release in Florida Dr. Zhanao Deng, Plant Breeder, GCREC Double-season hop production in Florida Dr. Shinsuke Agehara, Plant Physiologist, GCREC “Terroir” of Florida hops Álvaro Bautista, MS Student, GCREC 12:50 pm Brewer impressions of Florida hops Matt Smith, Extension Agent for Lake and Orange County 1:05 pm Tapping into Florida’s craft beer market: Consumer purchasing and consumption habits in the Sunshine State Dr. Nathan Palardy, Ag Economist 1:20 pm Florida hops availability Simon Bollin, Hillsborough County Ag Development 1:30 – 2:00 pm Panel discussion: Brewing experience with Florida hops 2:00 - 2:30 pm Beer tasting