Prescott, WA– Broetje Orchards was honored with the 2011 Association of Washington Businesses (AWB) Award for Environmental Excellence in the area of Innovation at the Spring Meeting of AWB in Spokane, Wash.
Broetje, one of 12 Wash. employers recognized, was selected based on their continued efforts in the areas of organic farming and environmental sustainability. Today Broetje farms over 1000 acres of organic apples and maintains a host of integrated pest management systems and conservation practices that improve apple quality while reducing the use of pesticides, cuts energy use and creates a smaller environmental footprint.
Over the past 25 years, Broetje has grown as a faith based business that focuses on the quadruple bottom line, balancing people, profit, planet and the sense of purpose for employees and the organization. Today, through the family's Vista Hermosa Foundation, Broetje donates at least 50% of their profits to support local and international organizations. These organizations assist and empower individuals toward sustainable community and social change.
“We are humbled by this award. Our work is always focused on how our business can affect positive change based on our quadruple bottom line of people, profit, planet and purpose. We hope that our efforts and the efforts of the other award winners will inspire other businesses to put the environment and their people first,” commented Roger Bairstow of Broetje.
The AWB Environmental Excellence Awards are presented annually and recognize companies of all sizes and types for their initiative, innovation and outstanding achievements in environmental compliance, protection and conservation.
FirstFruits Marketing is a collaborative apple marketing company owned by growers. Together these growers have a commitment to grow high quality fruit while balancing the needs of purpose, people, planet and profits so a portion of profits can be donated to non-profit missions supporting the underserved.
About the Association of Washington Business
Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 7,400 members representing 650,000 employees. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.
Source: Association of Washington Business
