4 Pines Brewing Co., Ryefield Hops and Landcare Australia partner to plant 2,000 trees

In partnership with 4 Pines Brewing Co., Landcare Australia successfully completed phase 2 of its project at Ryefield Hops, to support biodiversity and sustainable agricultural outcomes in the brewer’s supply chain.

Following on from phase 1 of the initiative – in which 1,000 trees were planted in 2021 – an additional 2,000 native seedlings were planted in April at Ryefield Hops in Bemboka, NSW. In collaboration with the Far South Coast Landcare Association and local Bush Regenerator Paddy Farrell, Landcare Australia facilitated this on-ground agriculture project.

The partnership and tree planting was made possible through 4 Pines Brewing Co.’s 1% For The Planet fund. This fund is amassed by diverting 1% of the revenue from 4 Pines Pacific Ale, Pale Ale, Extra Refreshing Ale and more recently Ultra Low to be utilised for environmental projects.

The aim of this project is to regenerate approximately 4 hectares of riparian habitat on an eroded creek line at the Ryefield Hops farm creek bed, which was cleared many years ago and grazed upon by cattle for up to a century. The farm owners of Ryefield Hops have decided to move away from dairy and have started a regenerative hop farm.

“We’ve been lucky enough to meet the crew at Ryefield Hops, understand their business and gain access to some of their hops for our annual wet hop brews. The creek bed will grow in over the next few years, providing a corridor for native fauna and a place where nutrients can be captured by the local landscape as opposed to being washed off down the river and towards the ocean,” said Sarah Turner, Beer Education & Experiences, Community & Culture Developer at 4 Pines Brewing Co.

“It will also encourage wildlife and insects back to the local area to protect the hop farm from pests that may affect hop yields and improve soil health, protecting the crop from diseases such as mildew. Talk about a win, win, win, win situation.”

4 Pines is one of only two certified B-Corp Brewers in Australia. Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and accountability to balance profit and purpose.

“It’s great to be working with partners that are committed to making tangible sustainability enhancements in their supply chain,” said James Link, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Landcare Australia. “Enabling businesses, farmers and local landcare volunteers to increase biodiversity in local creeks and river systems provides great benefit over a long period of time for local wildlife, farm productivity as well as social wellbeing for all involved.”

4 Pines Brewing Co. partnership with Landcare Australia and Cricket Australia saw 44,444 trees, plants and shrubs planted at Cape Jervis on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula. Four trees were planted for every 4 hit during by the Australian Men’s Cricket Team during the 2021/22 Summer of Cricket.

The outcomes of the plantings include enhanced landscape connectivity, improved biodiversity and the provision of long-term habitat for threatened species including the Glossy Black Cockatoo.

Since 4 Pines Brewing Co first partnered with Landcare Australia in 2020, the partnership has also supported a sustainable agriculture project to enhance on-farm biodiversity in the brewer’s supply chain.