Meet Todd Olander — Owner, Founder, & Farmer At Root Shoot Malting & Spirits
“I want to see the farming legacy continue.” As a fifth-generation Loveland, Colorado farmer, Todd’s rich ag heritage shapes how we works the land, collaborates with the community, and preserves this way of life for the next generation of farmers.
A New Era
The Olander family grew Coors® barley and custom harvests for dairies. As needs changed, Todd saw an opportunity to reinvent the family farm with the maturation of craft breweries throughout Colorado.
Learning from the farmers and family before him, paired with today’s most innovative ag equipment and practices, Todd and his team produce high-quality raw grain for the craft brewing and distilling industries.
Barley, corn, rye, and other small grains are grown and distributed to local partners in a true farm-to-glass style, ensuring local ingredients are used to make local products. As consumers become increasingly aware of and ask for ethical, sustainably sourced ingredients, Todd hopes his products highlight those who invest in and are a part of the local economy.
Todd routinely focused on the principles of local support and community. He praised local partners who helped him overcome challenges and expressed hope for continued shared resilience. This mirrors electric cooperatives, where members collaborated to own and operate their power, fostering local control, economic benefits, and community ownership.
Expanding Horizons
Malt is the germinated grain used to produce alcohol.
“With our barley growing expertise, it was a no-brainer,” explained Todd. “What’s the middle piece between the farm and the brewery? It’s a malthouse.”
Root Shoot Malting was created to control the malting process from seed variety and growth, to harvest and kilning, and even distribution in what Todd calls “Soil to snifter.”
Root Shoot Spirits was then created to further the grain-to-glass movement by partnering with a local distiller to produce an American Single Malt Whiskey.
Looking Ahead: A Legacy Of Innovation & Sustainability
Todd described how great spirits and beer start with great grain, and great grain comes from healthy soil.
“We work to have a viable business that supports the land, and the land supports our operation,” Todd said. “It’s a give and take and a gamble every year, but hopefully, we can continue as long as people drink beer — which should be a long time.”
Todd’s journey from dairy farming to barley production and their foray into the spirits industry demonstrates his willingness to embrace change and find new ways to thrive in a dynamic market.
With a commitment to sustainable farming practices and a focus on community collaboration, Todd and his team have ensured their legacy has the strong roots needed to flourish for generations to come.
“I want to see the farming legacy continue, specifically within this five-mile radius,” Todd said. “There’s an opportunity to save this landscape and if you can do that, I think that’s a win. That’s the goal of all of this.”
Learn more at www.rootshootmalting.com and www.rootshootspirits.com.