Van Horn Farms

Van Horn Farms is one of the Yakima Valley’s earliest hop-growing legacies. George Desmarais migrated from Minnesota to Moxee, Washington, in the late 1800s, drawn by the mild winters and access to irrigation water. In 1904, he planted his first hops, which became a regular crop for the family. Through inheritance and marriage, the tradition was carried forward when George’s daughter, Denise, and her husband, Rich Van Horn, formally established Van Horn Farms in 1972. Today, the family continues to work in those hop fields, while also operating Desmarais Ranch, Inc., the family’s original hop ranch, alongside Denise’s brother Marc. 

For more than four decades, Rich and Denise Van Horn have been deeply invested in the hop industry, building a reputation for consistency, stewardship, and quality. Their commitment extends beyond the fields to the people who help make the farm successful. Van Horn Farms takes great pride in its employees and fosters a positive, safety-focused work environment grounded in sustainable farming practices. The belief that quality hops begin with a dedicated, respected team is central to how the farm operates every day. 

That dedication has earned Van Horn Farms industry-wide recognition. Rich Van Horn received the International Order of the Hop in 2001 and the Hop Quality Group’s Cascade Cup in 2012, honours that reflect leadership and excellence. As an owner within the Yakima Chief network, Van Horn Farms continues its long-standing mission to deliver premium hops while honouring a family legacy shaped by over a century.