Hallertau and Tettnang seek volunteers for hop garden work

Germany | With borders closed between Germany and its neighbouring countries since 25 March 2020, hop growers are desperately short of temporary workers from Poland and Rumania for the first of the season’s tasks.

To secure this year’s hop harvest, volunteers are wanted immediately for planting out and stringing in hop gardens.

Supported by the Bavarian Brewers Association, several growers’ associations are calling on volunteers, not least brewery employees and apprentices currently on leave or on government wage-replacement schemes, to come out to the Hallertau and Tettnang and give growers a helping hand in their spring work. The starting date is mid-April.    

The growers are offering payment on top of providing food and lodging. Concerned for workers‘ safety, growers reassure that keeping one’s distance from co-workers is not going to be an issue when out and about. At the farms, special arrangements will be made so that there is no danger of contagion.

BarthHaas has set up an online platform, where volunteers can register: www.barthhaas.com/hopfencrew.