Crosby Hop Farm named a 2019 Changemaker, personifies a business that balances purpose and profit

Crosby Hop Farm, changing our perspective of the world.

Crosby Hop Farm, a Certified B Corporation, is a personal CBB fave. Here’s just another reason why. The Woodburn, Ore.-based hop farm was recently recognized as a 2019 Best for the World: Changemaker in recognition of its exacting standards for how the company treats its workers, customers, suppliers, community and the environment. Certified B Corps that earn this particular designation are called Changemakers, and they set a gold standard for managing and improving business’ social and environmental impact over time.

One thousand B Corps from 44 countries were named to the 2019 Best for The World lists, including Patagonia, Beautycounter, Dr. Bronner’s, TOMS, Seventh Generation, Greyston Bakery and (yeah) Crosby Frickin’ Hop Farm.

Certified against rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency in business, Crosby Hop Farm became the first hop supplier to be a Certified B Corporation in May 2016. Since that date, the company’s overall B Impact Score has grown alongside its continued investment toward greater social and environmental progress.

Crosby Hop Farm compost pile — Pictured: Crosby’s hop bines and leaves are shredded and piled into compost. This is an older photo as the compost now goes into a new bin. The farm is also salmon-safe certified.

Blake Crosby, CEO, Crosby Hop Farm said, “We are honored to be recognized as a Changemaker. Guided by the fact that we don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from future generations, it is our goal to make a positive and lasting impact while treading lightly on the land.”

Key improvements since 2016 include:

Scaled the 100 percent renewably powered commitment by doubling the on-farm solar array and increasing offsets through PGE’s Clean Wind SM and Green Source SM programs.
Added land/wildlife conservation efforts through continued expansion of biodiversity restoration sites and pollinator gardens at the farm.
Zero Waste Program expansion with an increasingly upstream focus.
Expanded Quality Program utilizing innovative technologies in the lab and pellet plant to greatly reduce chemical, water, and energy use. As a result of the program developments, more technical jobs have been added.
Added employee benefits including family-friendly schedules, increased parental leave, and recognizing International Women’s Day as a new company holiday honoring Jennifer Crosby’s legacy.
More opportunities for employee advancement and development including computer literacy skills and English and Spanish language classes.
Community involvement in Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana, St. Paul Rodeo Western Art Show and the Adopt-a-Farmer program.

Crosby Hop Farm 1 — This interview with Blake Crosby is definitely worth a reread.

“We’re incredibly proud of this year’s Best For The World honorees,” said Anthea Kelsick, chief marketing officer of B Lab. “These inspiring companies represent the kinds of business models and impact-driven business strategies that are building a new economy — one that is inclusive, regenerative and delivers value to all stakeholders, not just shareholders. To that end, B Corps like Crosby Hop Farm are redefining capitalism and showing that it actually can work for everyone.”

Best for The World recognition is administered by B Lab, the global nonprofit that certifies and supports Certified B Corporations, which are for-profit companies dedicated to using business as a force for good. Using the B Impact Assessment, B Lab evaluates how a company’s operations and business model impact its workers, community, environment and customers. To achieve the B Corp Certification, a company must achieve a score of at least 80 points on the assessment. Today there are 3,000 Certified B Corporations across 64 countries and 150 industries, unified by one common goal: to redefine success in business.

The full lists are available on https://bcorporation.net/.