Village Farms Wins 3 Stevie Awards for Cannabis Excellence

“Village Farms International secured 3 Stevie Awards in 2024, highlighting excellence in sustainability, global reach, and greenhouse innovation.”

Introduction

The realm of agribusiness and cannabis innovation is rapidly evolving, with organizations fiercely competing for recognition in sustainability, technology, and leadership. We are thrilled to announce that Village Farms International, a leading figure in the cannabis and controlled environment agriculture sectors, has secured not one but three prestigious Stevie Awards at the 23rd Annual American Business Awards® in 2025. This press release reflects not only a momentous company milestone but also highlights broader industry trends: sustainable business models, global cannabis expansion, and greenhouse technology innovation.

In this comprehensive coverage, we delve into the key achievements, explore the impact of these industry awards, and assess what this means for the future of sustainable cannabis and agriculture worldwide.

The Significance of Stevie Awards in the Cannabis Industry

The Stevie Awards, conferred by The American Business Awards®, represent some of the highest honors in the United States business community. Recognizing outstanding achievements across a vast array of categories—from sustainable business models and global expansion, to technology innovation—the Stevies underscore the importance of excellence, innovation, and persistence in today’s dynamic cannabis industry and beyond.

These awards are especially cherished because the selection process is rigorous, with over 3,600 nominations from organizations of all sizes and from virtually every industry sector. Each nomination is scrutinized by more than 250 seasoned industry professionals worldwide, ensuring only those with genuine impact are honored. The global recognition associated with being a Stevie Awards winner, especially in the sustainable agriculture and cannabis sectors, cements an organization as a benchmark for performance, leadership, and innovation.

This year, amidst fierce competition from over a thousand global entries, Village Farms International distinguished itself as a champion—setting a new standard for excellence in cannabis business models, environmental stewardship, and technology-driven growth.

“Over 1,000 global entries competed, but Village Farms stood out for its advanced cannabis business models and technology.”

Village Farms’ Recognition: Cannabis Industry Awards

It was with great pride that Village Farms International accepted two Gold Stevie Awards and one Bronze Stevie for sustainable business models, lifetime achievement in consumer products industries, and achievement in international expansion. Each award reflects a specific dimension of our company’s operational excellence in the context of the cannabis industry.

These victories validate our commitment to sustainable and innovative agricultural models, global leadership in cannabis, and mastery of advanced greenhouse technology. For us, the Stevie Awards are not only accolades—they are benchmarks that prove the power of visionary leadership and exceptional execution amidst industry challenges, risks, and opportunities.

Awards Achievement Summary Table

Highlighting the Stevie Awards Winners 2025

The recent ABAs recognized the best global performers in innovation—especially within the dynamic cannabis and consumer products industries. Village Farms International’ s recognition among 2025’s Stevie Awards winners stands out due to its triple distinction:

• Gold Stevie Award: For Sustainable Business Models
• Gold Stevie Award: For Lifetime Achievement – Consumer Products Industries (awarded to founder, president, and chief executive Michael A. DeGiglio)
• Bronze Stevie Award: For Achievement in International Expansion

Let us analyze how these cannabis industry awards reflect sustained operational and strategic excellence, plus what this means for global agricultural and cannabis markets.

Gold Stevie for Sustainable Business Models

Winning the Gold Stevie in sustainable business models recognizes our unwavering commitment to environmentally responsible agriculture, especially as it applies to the cannabis sector. Our greenhouse technology innovation is setting new standards—delivering 97% land savings, 86% water usage reductions, and innovative clean energy measures such as landfill gas-to-RNG conversion at the Vancouver Delta RNG facility. These efforts reduce CO₂ emissions by an estimated 475,000 metric tons annually.

The impact transcends just numbers—these models balance profitability with environmental stewardship, and showcase how cannabis companies can thrive financially while pursuing aggressive sustainability goals.

Sustainability Details in Agriculture:

• Land Use Efficiency: Village Farms operates controlled environment agriculture greenhouses, utilizing precise resource management and reducing agricultural land footprint by 97% compared to conventional farming.
• Water Management: Cannabis and produce are cultivated with advanced irrigation systems, slashing water consumption by more than 85%.
• Clean Energy Operations: Partnership with Terreva Renewables at Vancouver generates renewable natural gas, exemplifying circular economy best practices and jointly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Carbon Footprinting and Emission Reductions: Estimated annual reduction of 475,000 metric tons of CO₂—a benchmark in North American agribusiness.
• Environmental Compliance: Operations adhere to strict regulatory requirements across Canada, the United States, and global expansion territories.

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Gold Stevie – Lifetime Achievement Award (Consumer Products Industries)

The second Gold Stevie was awarded to Michael A. DeGiglio, our esteemed Founder, President, and CEO. This prestigious recognition salutes a lifetime of leadership in consumer products—across agriculture, produce, and, most recently, the legal cannabis industry in Canada and beyond. His visionary stewardship spearheaded our transformation from greenhouse hydroponics pioneer into a vertically integrated, global cannabis leader.

• Visionary Innovation: Led the adoption of hydroponics and high-value, climate-resilient crop production models decades ahead of market trends.
• Market Leadership: Established Village Farms as a dominant supplier in North America’s produce and legal cannabis markets.
• Global Expansion: Oversaw strategic entries into European and Pacific cannabis markets, creating new economic opportunities and elevating global standards.
• Commitment to Team: Michael A. DeGiglio has always accredited team persistence and dedication as the driving force behind our company’s operational and financial successes.

Bronze Stevie – Achievement in Global Cannabis Expansion

Winning the Bronze Stevie for Achievement in International Expansion affirms our prowess in extending operations into one of the world’s most regulated and rapidly evolving industries. This international business achievement spotlights our strategic growth from Canada and the United States into Europe, Germany, Australia, and beyond.

• Global Cannabis Expansion: Achieved a 111% increase in international medicinal cannabis sales year-over-year.
• Strategic Partnerships: Our company holds one of only ten licenses in the Dutch market for recreational cannabis.
• Top Market Performance: Pure Sunfarms brand is a top-selling strain provider in Germany, underpinned by EU-GMP certification and strong European market entries.
• Medicinal Cannabis Export: Village Farms is continuously expanding its operations, exporting quality-controlled medicinal cannabis to a growing list of international destinations.

For producers looking to improve global market entry efficiency and traceability, Farmonaut’s Blockchain-Based Product Traceability is ideal for transparent, secure supply chains—bolstering international reputation and compliance.

Village Farms International: Pioneering the Cannabis Industry

From our roots as a major controlled environment agriculture supplier, we have driven transformative growth across agricultural produce and cannabis sectors for decades. With a pioneering spirit, our company built a global reputation for execution, innovation, and sustainability—principles that continue to propel us through the legal cannabis market in Canada, the US, and worldwide.

We stand at the intersection of agricultural heritage and modern cannabis business opportunity:

• As one of the longest-tenured fresh produce suppliers in North America, we supply major grocery and retail chains across the United States and Canada
• Our subsidiary Pure Sunfarms is regarded as a leading cannabis producer and best-selling brand across Canada
• We’re advancing into new high-growth cannabis and CBD markets worldwide, leveraging operational expertise, advanced technology, and strategic market positions
• Our infrastructure leverages both operational scale and detailed, data-driven resource management for consistent output with environmental responsibility

Commitment to Sustainable Business Models & Greenhouse Technology Innovation

Our sustainable business models form the backbone of all Village Farms operations. What sets us apart is the readiness to invest in technology-driven sustainability, redefining what’s possible in greenhouse agriculture and the global cannabis industry.

Key Initiatives Driving Sustainability and Clean Energy:

• Advanced Greenhouse Technology Innovation: Our greenhouses incorporate the latest in climate control, energy efficiency, and hydroponic crop management.
• Resource Optimization: Through precise monitoring, we minimize fertilizer and water use while maximizing yield and maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Clean Energy Partnerships: The Delta RNG facility, in partnership with Terreva Renewables, exemplifies global leadership by converting landfill gas into renewable natural gas (RNG), reducing Vancouver emissions by approximately 475,000 metric tons/year.

Businesses worldwide aiming to manage logistics and resources more efficiently can leverage Farmonaut’s Fleet and Resource Management Solutions for streamlined agricultural operations.

Excellence in Controlled Environment Agriculture

Our history as a controlled environment agriculture pioneer laid the blueprint for what’s possible in large-scale cannabis and produce operations. By tightly monitoring and managing all climatic and resource variables, we consistently achieve robust crop yields while drastically limiting environmental impact.

• Reduced Resource Use: Japan, Netherlands, and North America reference our scale and innovation as benchmarks for controlled agriculture globally.
• Enhanced Crop Quality: Controlled parameters yield more resilient, high-value crops—whether vegetables or medical cannabis for export.
• Regulatory Leadership: Full compliance with American, Canadian, and international regulatory standards assures product quality and consumer safety.

For organizations managing extensive operations, Farmonaut’s Large Scale Farm Management Tools provide scalable solutions for centralized, data-driven agricultural management.

Village Farms and the Legal Cannabis Market in Canada

Village Farms International recognized early on the potential of the legal cannabis market in Canada. Our acquisition and evolution of Pure Sunfarms has been pivotal—enabling us to operate one of the single largest cannabis facilities worldwide. With EU-GMP certification, our operations consistently set benchmarks for product quality and cost efficiency.

• Pure Sunfarms Cannabis: A flagship brand, it’s one of Canada’s top-selling cannabis operations, renowned for low-cost production, scalability, and quality.
• Market Leadership: Pure Sunfarms holds a dominant position in Canadian retail, trusted by consumers and key accounts alike.
• Operational Excellence: A vertically integrated supply chain drives both cost control and quality assurance across all product lines.

For new ventures entering regulated cannabis or agricultural markets—and seeking data-driven insights—Farmonaut’s AI Advisory System provides real-time operational recommendations based on actual satellite and machine learning analytics.

Pure Sunfarms Cannabis: Driving Growth and Innovation

Our Pure Sunfarms cannabis operation underpins not only our success in Canada, but acts as the launchpad for international expansion. Its operations are built on a foundation of innovation, regulatory excellence, and brand leadership.

• Lowest-Cost Greenhouse Producer: Efficient operations and technology-driven management allow us to pass cost savings on to consumers without compromising quality.
• Best-Selling Cannabis Brand: Our product lines enjoy market-leading positions across multiple provinces, reflecting trusted quality and customer satisfaction.
• Operational Scale: The platform’s size and sophistication enable scalability for new international contracts and export markets.

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Global Cannabis Expansion & International Market Leadership

Diversification of market presence is central to our business strategy. Through the efforts of Pure Sunfarms, Rose LifeScience, Balanced Health Botanicals, and subsidiaries in Europe, Australia, and the US, we extend our impact:

• Medicinal Cannabis Export: Serving Germany, the UK, Israel, and Australia from EU GMP certified facilities ensures quality and compliance with strict international regulations.
• Strategic Expansion: Our entry into the Dutch market (one of 10 licensed companies for recreational cannabis) boosts global positioning and market diversity.
• Strong Sales Growth: A 111% annual uptick in international medicinal cannabis sales positions us among the elite international operators.
• Balanced Health Botanicals: In the US, our CBD and hemp-derived brand delivers cutting-edge wellness products through leading e-commerce solutions.

For organizations targeting global supply chains and compliance, Farmonaut’s Blockchain Product Traceability delivers end-to-end visibility and transparency.

Technology-Driven Sustainability Initiatives

Our technology-first approach is reflected in the following sustainability projects:

• Delta RNG facility (Vancouver): Converts landfill gas to renewable natural gas, slashing CO₂ emissions by 475,000 metric tons annually—the equivalent of taking more than 100,000 vehicles off the road.
• Greenhouse Optimization: Proprietary environmental controls, including energy reclamation, allow for climate-adaptive operations and consistent product delivery throughout the year.
• Fleet and Resource Monitoring: Technology ensures all greenhouse machinery, from planting to post-harvest, operates efficiently with reduced operational costs and environmental impact.

If you are interested in practical resource monitoring and technology-driven agricultural solutions, Farmonaut’s Resource Management Tools can make a significant difference for your large-scale operation.

“Village Farms International secured 3 Stevie Awards in 2024, highlighting excellence in sustainability, global reach, and greenhouse innovation.”

Farmonaut: Supporting Sustainable Agriculture Technology

As the cannabis industry and agriculture sector evolve, advanced technology is crucial for sustainable and profitable operations. Farmonaut—a trailblazer in affordable satellite-based farm management—offers tools and expertise for farmers and agribusinesses to monitor, manage, and improve their operations using real-time crop health, remote sensing, AI, and blockchain-based traceability.

• Satellite-Based Monitoring: Multispectral imagery tracks vegetation health, soil moisture, and growth—leading to enhanced yields and minimized waste.
• AI Advisory & Weather: Jeevn AI system offers actionable, real-time advice based on field data and climatic trends, boosting farm productivity.
• Blockchain Traceability: Ensures every produce batch or cannabis shipment is securely documented, building trust with regulators and end consumers.
• Carbon Footprinting: Real-time GHG emissions tracking for sustainability and regulatory compliance.

Explore Carbon Footprinting, Traceability, and Fleet Management Products by Farmonaut for agribusiness value and sustainability.

For direct integration with your own platforms, use Farmonaut’s Satellite & Weather API:

• API Portal: Farmonaut API Access
• Developer Docs: API Documentation

For personalized crop, plantation, and forest advisory, Farmonaut Satellite Advisory delivers actionable insights on demand.

FAQ: Village Farms & Cannabis Industry Awards

Conclusion

The story of Village Farms International’s triple Stevie Award win is not just about trophies—it’s about setting direction for a global industry at the intersection of agricultural heritage, cannabis innovation, technology leadership, and sustainability. The company’s commitment to innovation, risk management, regulatory excellence, and environmental stewardship has redefined what’s possible in the Canadian, American, and international cannabis markets.

For other organizations in the industry, these achievements show that with the right vision, technology, and strategy, operational risks can be transformed into opportunities. From greenhouse technology innovation to expansion across continents, success in today’s world depends not only on financial or product achievements but also on the persistent pursuit of sustainable business models.

We are proud to see Village Farms recognized at the highest levels. As this trend continues, tools like those offered by Farmonaut—from satellite crop monitoring and carbon accounting to fleet and traceability management—will only grow in importance. By leveraging real-time data, AI, and blockchain, businesses can build sustainable, resilient, and profitable futures in agriculture, cannabis, and beyond.

For more insights or to empower your agriculture operations, explore Farmonaut’s leading-edge technology solutions across web and mobile or via API and platform integration.