As the Administration continues its push to reduce the government workforce, hop growers are feeling the impact.
The Washington Hop Commission says more than $1.5 million was spent on a lab at Washington State University, but now, their researchers no longer work there.
“So that’s establishing a lab, all the instruments that go in the lab, a six-acre research plot, as well as a hop yard, as well as a hop picker, and a kiln facility. There’s a lot of infrastructure that went into place, which was meant to serve him his entire career and to help us with this research. Unfortunately, as of now, that laboratory is empty, and all of his research work is indefinite. We don’t know what’s going to happen next,” said Maggie Elliott.
That facility was established as a hop stress physiology lab. Elliott says the Washington Hop Commission along with other groups invested around $300,000 to launch the program.
Recent USDA export sales data show China has been active in the U.S. market, but analysts tell RFD-TV News that the timing is a key clue.
December 22, 2025 12:45 PM
·
USDA Undersecretary Luke Lindberg told RFD-TV News that we can only guess what Congress will do down the road. Still, the USDA recognizes its responsibility to spend resources efficiently and effectively.
December 22, 2025 12:40 PM
·
National Land Realty’s Jeramy Stephens shares his outlook on farmland market trends, which remain under close watch as new federal assistance programs roll out — with experts analyzing potential impacts on land values, buying, and stability.
December 19, 2025 02:15 PM
·
Michelle Perez shares more about the American Farmland Trust’s resource to help farmers and producers plan soil health improvements.
December 19, 2025 02:03 PM
·
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer outlines the key difference between previous ECAP payments and the Farm Bridge Assistance Program.
December 19, 2025 01:56 PM
·
Weather-driven transportation disruptions can tighten logistics, affect basis levels, and delay grain movement during winter months.
December 19, 2025 12:55 PM
·
