Buyer plans to convert vineyard into hop farm

PARKS, Neb. — The new owner of 2 1/2 acres of grape vines near Parks plans to grow hops vines instead.

The Benkelman Post reports that Sye Tecker, of rural Parks, will transform "Sage Hill Vineyard" into "Uppa Crik Hops," and is offering the grape vines to anyone who wants to come dig 'em up before he starts cutting them off in early September.

Tecker purchased the vineyard from Hal and Carol Walker in July, with plans to continue to offer lodging and a location for events. But he'll grow hops instead of grapes.

Once the grape vines are gone, Tecker will "plant" 75 to 100 25-foot-tall poles, stretch wires between the poles, and drape strings from the wires to the ground. Next spring, he'll plant beer hops vines that will grow up the strings. The quality of the first-year harvest isn't high enough to sell because the plants have put all their energy into establishing roots, Tecker told the Post reporter. He said a very good harvest will be about 3,000 pounds of hops per acre. Hops sell for $5-10 a pound.

It's the quality and quantity of the second-year harvest and beyond that interest Nebraska microbreweries. There are 90 microbreweries in Nebraska, and the number is growing rapidly. Producers prefer Nebraska-grown hops, according to Tecker.

Tecker first learned about "hop yards" at a Nebraska Leadership Conference, and he has taken courses offered by University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension. He has also visited Nebraska breweries.

While his first crop of hops is growing next year, Tecker plans to offer lodging at "Sagehill Loft and Venue." He will also rent kayaks and sell firewood and supplies to campers at nearby Rock Creek Lake.

Contact Sye Tecker via Facebook. The loft and venue are listed on Airbnb.com.