Ballard beekeeper Corky Luster has been nominated as a finalist in the first-ever VISIONary of the Year Awards by AMD.  The VISIONary of the Year Awards recognize nine unsung heroes in three categories - food, photography and entrepreneurship.

AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) is a technology company providing innovative graphics, processors, and media solutions.

Luster caught AMD’s attention with his Ballard Bee Company and their efforts to sustain the local honeybee population, whose consumption of the areas’ diverse flora results in a unique-tasting honey.
Luster, like all nominees, was hand-selected for their unique contributions and informed of their finalist status by a surprise phone call. 

“It’s an honor to be nominated for the AMD VISIONary of the Year Awards, and it’s a recognition I want to share with the entire Seattle urban agriculture and food community,” said Luster in a press release. 

“They’ve been a tremendous factor in my company's success in bringing back honeybee populations in our city.”

Ballard Bee Company began with Corky Luster’s two modest beehives and his determination to increase pollination in Seattle and help sustain the local honeybee population.  When locals started tasting the honey being produced in his hives, whose unique taste derives from the diverse plants of local gardens and parks, word spread and local demand for his delicious raw, unfiltered honey skyrocketed. 

From those humble beginnings, Ballard Bee Company has grown to 60 locally-sponsored hives in the Ballard area, which produce honey sold exclusively in local boutique stores and restaurants to support local commerce.

AMD has awarded cash and merchandise equal to $2,500 to the nine finalists, while winners in each category will all receive $20,000.

Nominees can be voted for from today until April 30th and winners will be announce din June. For more information visit www.amd.com/vision.