Hops, Habitat and Helping Hands
Hops, Habitat and Helping Hands
Far South Landcare Association is part of a collaboration between 4Pines Brewery, Ryefield Hops and Landcare Australia to bring back the natural biodiversity of the farm and regenerate the waterways and creek lines that flow through Ryefield Hops.
Collaborations -
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The issue
Ryefield Hops is one of many local businesses on the Far South Coast that have responded to the challenges posed by drought, bushfire and a global pandemic with innovation and forward-thinking. Based in Bemboka, Ryefield Hops are revitalising traditional dairy farming land by growing spray-free hops to supply breweries throughout Australia. The farm is at the centre of a unique partnership between 4Pines Brewery, Landcare Australia and the Far South Coast Landcare Association.
The young family business has a strong environmental ethos and part of their vision is to bring back the natural biodiversity of the farm and regenerate the waterways and creek lines that flow through Ryefield Hops.
The solution
In order to achieve their vision of increasing biodiversity and regenerating the waterways on the farm, Ryefield Hops has collaborated with 4Pines Brewery, Landcare Australia and the Far South Coast Landcare Association (FSCLA). FSCLA have helped design the project to revegetate around the farm dam and along the riparian section of the creek with local provenance native vegetation. In stage 1 of the project, over 1000 native trees were planted around the dam in June 2021.
The funding came from 4 Pines Brewing Company, through its "1% for the Planet" project. This is part of the wider global movement of 1500 members who have donated $365million to non-profits that protect the environment.
The impact
Ryefield hops farm was chosen by 4 Pines for the project as a way to support a company that produces fresh and dried hops for beer brewers, and has strong regeneration principles for its land.
FSCLA supplied the local provenance native plants. The trees planted are part of a two stage project, with another 2000 trees to be planted in April next year.
Ryefield Hops is also involved with another project to plant an additional 3000 native plants in spring along the creek. This is through Landcare's Bush Connect project, which uses funding from the NSW government through its Environment Trust.
Key facts
- 22 enthusiastic volunteers planted more than 1000 plants to revegetate a new dam and associated creek line at Bemboka's Ryefield Hops, a family business focusing on regenerative agriculture with their sustainable hops on ex-dairy farming land.
- The project with Landcare Australia and Far South Coast Landcare Association was funded by 4Pines Beer who has committed 1% of the beer sales from three of their beers to undertake environmental projects.