Olander Farms & Root Shoot Malting Awarded CCGA Farm Stewardship Designation
Colorado Corn | August 27, 2018
Colorado Corn Growers Association (CCGA) announces Olander Farms/Root Shoot Malting from Loveland, Colorado as the winner of the Colorado Corn Growers Association’s Farm Stewardship Award. Olander Farms, LLC (Steve and Marsha Olander) have tended to over 1,500 acres of irrigated land in Northern Colorado since 1975.
Stewardship is a long-standing practice for Olander Farms. They implement crop rotation, utilize grass filter strips and strive for minimal tillage wherever possible while maintaining high levels of residue cover on their fields. Center-pivot irrigation is used on the majority of their land for increased water efficiency. Fertilizer is applied directly to the root zone during both planting and cultivation to improve nutrient uptake.
Continuing the tradition of stewardship, in 2015, Steve and his son Todd (owners of Olander Farms), and Todd’s wife Emily established Root Shoot Malting, LLC to specialize in the highest quality local grain and craft malt available to the brewing and distilling industries. Root Shoot focuses heavily on resource conservation; these efforts include the use of solar panels on their malt house producing a surplus of electricity and the recycling of all wastewater produced in the malting process.
Education is critical for the sustainability and the future of agriculture. Olander Farms and Root Shoot Malting are continually working to educate visitors, consumers, brewers, distillers, chefs, and the general public. From on-farm field days to social media, they enjoy sharing what they do.
Mark Sponsler, Executive Director of the CCGA, commented on the Olander’s stewardship efforts stating “Stewardship is an integral part of agricultural production. For farmers, success depends on taking care of the land and maximizing their resource and input efficiency. Olander Farms and Root Shoot Malting exemplify a culture of good farm stewardship in their plans and decisions. From their minimal tillage philosophy and utilization of crop rotation to water recycling and trials of new production practices, their pride in being good stewards is evident. Congratulations to the Olander Family.”
As the winners of the state award, the Olander Family was submitted for the National Corn Growers Association Good Steward Recognition. Recipients of this distinguishing national award, announced later this year, will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the 2019 Commodity Classic and a cash prize.