Garden Trends acquires agricultural equipment manufacturer HopsHarvester

Garden Trends, the parent company of Harris Seeds, has acquired HopsHarvester, a New York State-based agricultural equipment manufacturer, for an undisclosed price.

HopsHarvester specializes in manufacturing harvesting and processing hops.

The company’s machinery is said to enable hops growers to harvest their crops in less amount of time when compared to conventional methods.

By using Hopster Harvester hop harvesters, growers can harvest 2-3 hops bines in a minute. The machine is portable and self-powered, which is said to enable growers to use it anywhere across their fields.

HopsHarvester also makes commercial dryers, which can be used for a range of crops and balers of 20 or 100 pounds.

Ken Wasnock – Garden Trends CEO said: “This comes at an ideal time in the growing industry.

“The craft beer industry has seen a significant spike in the past few years, and as more farmers turn towards hops as a cash crop, they will also seek a more efficient harvest and drying method.”

Garden Trends caters to commercial growers and home gardeners with seed and plant products. The company said that the HopsHarvester line of equipment will be another addition to its lineup with the objective of supporting growers of all types.

John Bonzo – founder of HopsHarvester said: “It was an easy choice for my business partner and I to work with the team at Garden Trends Inc.

“We’re inventors and entrepreneurs, not large-scale business owners. Once we saw the interest and business potential for HopsHarvester, we needed the guidance of someone with a strong business acumen, and we knew Ken and his team would be a great fit.”