Mark McKay oral history interview, March 8, 2017

Mark McKay is a sixth generation hop grower in St. Paul, Oregon. In his interview, McKay talks about his family history, growing up on the farm, crops they have grown, why his dad got out of the hops business, and things he learned from his father and the community. He also talks about establishing a hop farm in Independence in the 1990s with his brother Dean, industry labor practices and regulations, the challenges of an evolving industry, agro-tourism, the impact of technology on farming, as well as his thoughts on the future of farming and his hopes for his children’s involvement in the industry. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton at McKay’s house in St. Paul, Oregon on March 8, 2017. Also present was McKay’s daughter, Michelle. 

The Mark McKay interview is a component of the Oregon Hops and Brewing Archives Oral History Collection, Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Oregon State University Libraries.