Two of the top three 2016 B.C. Land Awards have been given to Sunshine Coast companies for demonstrating leadership, innovation and collaboration in sustainable land-use practices.
The annual awards are given out by the Real Estate Foundation of B.C. (REFBC) and on Oct. 21 Persephone Brewing Company in Gibsons and Sechelt’s Upland Agricultural Consulting both took home first-place wins in their respective categories.
Persephone Brewing Company won top place in the private sector category for its beer farm, which “demonstrates a model for integrated, sustainable, community-based agriculture that is profitable, even when land prices are high,” a press release from REFBC stated.
Judges praised the farm’s production of hops for brewing on-site and the use of waste products, “including by-product and water runoff,” to enrich the soil for growing.
Also of note was the company’s partnership with Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living, which allows for the employment of people with developmental disabilities “and creates opportunities for social enterprise.”
Sechelt-based Upland Agricultural Consulting Ltd. received a first-place award in the public sector category for its work to help create an inclusive regional plan for the Lillooet area.
“Their approach relied upon extensive input from indigenous community members as well as rigorous engagement with Lillooet residents,” REFBC said, “in order to find regionally-appropriate solutions for farmland access, food market viability, sustainable agricultural practices, cooperation and collaborations within the agricultural community, and food security.”
The process ultimately led to the creation of a new non-profit society to help coordinate implementation of the plan.
