SPECIAL EDITION PURE WASHINGTON MALT, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COLUMBIA LAND TRUST
By Cait SchutGreat Western Malting is proud to partner with Columbia Land Trust to produce a limited edition of our identity-preserved Pure Washington Malt, with barley sourced primarily from conservation land. As Pacific Northwest neighbors, we’re excited to highlight the unique characteristics of Washington barley, as well as Columbia Land Trust’s efforts to conserve and care for the vital lands, waters, and wildlife of the Columbia River region.
ABOUT COLUMBIA LAND TRUST
Columbia Land Trust is a nonprofit organization that works to conserve and care for some of the most diverse and ecologically important landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Their work is rooted in sound science and strong relationships, and the lands they care for have high conservation value, whether as working landscapes or as habitats for plants and wildlife. One of the most respected land trusts in the country, they’ve conserved nearly 60,000 acres within a service area that follows the lower Columbia River for 230 miles in both Oregon and Washington.
SUSTAINABLE BARLEY
Columbia Land Trust creates long-term management plans for their conservation acreage based on the best available science, implementing sustainable practices to ensure thriving, healthy landscapes. This barley was grown at a site called Cranes’ Landing in Vancouver, Washington, which was conserved to benefit endangered Sandhill cranes, a species that has lost much of their significant habitat to development. Columbia Land Trust actively farms about 400 acres at this site to create foraging and loafing habitat for the cranes, who return to these lowlands every winter. Most crane activity takes place between November and January, and over the most recent season we observed about 1,800 cranes utilizing the site.
This barley was cultivated and harvested in the summer when the cranes were not present, but the harvest benefitted wildlife by leaving behind stubble and open fields for the birds to probe for grubs and other food sources. All revenue Columbia Land Trust makes from selling crops is re-invested into stewarding this property. Additional sustainability practices include:
- To increase the site’s biodiversity and benefit pollinators and other native wildlife, the privacy berms that surround the site are planted with native trees and shrubs. Native prairie restoration is also underway on approximately two acres of the property. The berms also deter surface runoff and erosion from exiting the property.
- A variety of crops are planted on the property and many of the fields are rotated depending on crane usage, soil health and other factors. Crops that use less water are also prioritized for planting.
SPECIAL EDITION PURE WASHINGTON MALT
Pure Washington Malt is part of Great Western Malting’s Identity Preserved product line, which offers malt products that are true to their distinctive regions. This special edition malt was produced using primarily barley grown by farmers on Columbia Land Trust conservation land, retaining its unique regional characteristics. Bring the distinct flavors of this pure Washington grown barley to your beverages while supporting the conservation of our treasured backyard – the Pacific Northwest.
Limited inventory available. Contact your sales rep to learn more and place an order.
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