Cheers! to preserving this valuable resource

Johnson dubbed the new full-flavored brew the Clean Waters IPA and plans to donate 3% of wholesale sales of draft and canned beer towards the Big Pine Watershed. The watershed, which is comprised of over 209,000 acres primarily used for agriculture, is a region designated as a highly erodible area by the federal government and one that Leslie Fisher is personally passionate about. She’s the watershed coordinator and actively manages relationships between farmers and landowners interested in conserving the important resource.

“We work primarily to use our funds with farmers and Indiana farmland owners to change things they do in their fields to achieve conservation and, ultimately, improve water quality downstream,” says Fisher. The organization relies on grants and donations to fund projects that include planting cover crops, which help prevent runoff and restores nutrients to the land. So far, they’ve funded the planting of over 30,000 acres of cover crops and sales of the IPA will allow them to funnel funds into this initiative and future endeavors.

Yet, one of the main benefits of partnering with People’s Brewing Company is to bring awareness of the Big Pine Watershed to the masses – and Fisher says it’s working. It’s been sold out continuously and Fisher has received numerous texts and messages ranging from farmers to other conservation partners who have seen and purchased the beer, thrilled at being able to support such a worthy cause with a tasty sip.

“A beer with our logo on it is another way to highlight the work we’re doing and the people who are making major changes to operations,” says Fisher. “It’s been something that everyone can connect to.”