Washington Business Fall 2018 | Legislative Review & Vote Record | Page 12

2018 legislative review “The cider industry is building jobs and a stronger economy. Businesses here in Washington are very conscious of the environment.” “We have to avoid putting rules on top of rules on top of rules Colin Schilling, Co-Founder that make it almost impossible Schilling Cider, Seattle/Auburn for farm families to compete.” Alex McGregor, President The McGregor Company Colfax, WA Reducing our carbon footprint, one can of cider at a time. Colin Schilling has a passion for cider — great tasting hard cider made with the best apples in the world. “All of our apples come from Eastern Washington,” says Schilling, who founded his company in 2013. “Because the IN WASHINGTON STATE, environment is so “Schilling Cider is making its cider from of the freshest pressed FARMING IS some A FAMILY AFFAIR. important to us, apples out there,” notes Schilling marketing director Nicole Ledford. we really believe “We don’t have to truck long distances so rolling we’re reducing our Palouse carbon in Eastern Tucked in the middle of the hills of the Washington, a researcher footprint.” named Cat Salois works in her office at The McGregor Company on new environmentally- in the ‘leave-no- conscious that pristine help farmers increase crop to yields and provide for a hungry world. Their efforts to preserve strategies Washington’s environment extend trace’ concept.” their packaging. Schilling was the first cidery in the Northwest to convert “This is a family affair,” says Salois. “In fact, families own 97% of farmland in Washington. the majority of their ciders from bottles to more easily recycled cans. We raise our families on the same ground we are farming, so we have every reason to be “Because the excellent environment is so important to us, we really believe in the ‘leave-no-trace’ concept,” stewards of land we farm.” says Ledford. Alex McGregor’s grandfather homesteaded land in Eastern Washington 135 years ago. “Cans have a 95% recycle rate,” says Schilling. “On average, within 60 days, the recycled materials “There is a sense of heritage, a sense that the land matters, and a stubborn belief in small are back on the shelf as a new can.” towns,” says McGregor. The McGregor Company is helping family farmers, ranchers and Now that’s something we can all drink to. grow success throughout the Inland Northwest. agricultural communities Meet about other Schilling AWB members like The McGregor Company that are creating To learn more Cider and how opportunity, improving lives, and strengthening communities here in Washington. businesses are creating jobs while watching out Visit GrowHereWashington.com. for our environment, visit AWB.org/GrowHere. PO Box 658, Olympia, WA 98507-0658 | 800.521.9325 | www.AWB.org 10 association of washington business #GrowHere #GrowHere www.AWB.org | 800.521.9325 Post Office Box 658 Olympia, WA 98507-0658