Our watersheds reflect environmental health. 95% of the hops you source from us are certified Salmon-Safe.
“Salmon is the canary in the coal mine. It’s the indicator of how healthy a watershed is,” states David Burger, Salmon-Safe Partner.
Founded in 1997, Salmon-Safe’s mission is to transform land management practices so Pacific salmon can thrive in West Coast watersheds. This effort is vital, when you consider the fact that wild salmon are in decline globally with just 10% of native fish returning to West Coast watersheds compared to their historic abundance.
The Pacific Northwest is home to most of the last wild salmon in the continental US. It’s also where most US hops are grown along the Yakima and Willamette River watersheds.
According to Salmon Safe Co-Founder, Dan Kent, 80% of the pollution in the Willamette River comes from non-point source runoff—which means it comes from agricultural fields or city streets. To date, Kent says there isn’t data to show what percentage to attribute to each source, “but we know the agricultural impacts can be profound.”
This reality resonated with Gayle Goschie, third generation hop grower and one of our original farm partners. Goschie Farms was the first hop farm to achieve Salmon-Safe certification. This inspired us to encourage other growers to do the same. Many other hop farms have followed suit including our largest grower and long-time partner Coleman Agriculture, and one of our newest growers Sodbuster Farms. Roy Farms and Crosby Hop Farms—both certified growers and sellers of Indie Hops variety Strata—are also Salmon-Safe certified.
“By sourcing Indie Hops, brewers are sending a powerful message in the marketplace that they value clean water and healthy rivers. Indie Hops has been an essential partner in our mission to inspire hop farmers to transition to Salmon-Safe practices.”
/ DAN KENT, CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR @ SALMON-SAFE
Salmon-Safe certification requires rigorous third party assessment based on peer-reviewed standards, and key elements include:
- phasing out pesticides that are harmful to fish and wildlife
- restoring stream buffers
- reducing irrigation water use
- enhancing biodiversity through ecological set asides or native pollinator-friendly plantings
- ensuring that there is no runoff or erosion from farms
Salmon-Safe: Save wild salmon
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Together — hop growers and suppliers, brewers and consumers—are making a big impact by supporting Salmon-Safe through action. Cheers to great beer, brewed with passion and infused with flavor from responsibly-grown hops!
Please help us spread the word about this important cause. Salmon-Safe not only pertains to craft beer. Certification is available for urban development, vineyards, farms, corporate and university campuses, infrastructure, parks and natural areas, and golf courses. If you source your hops from us, reach out to learn more about adding the Salmon Safe logo or informative QR code to your next brew.