Loveland Family Farm Navigates Dry, Windy Season

100-year-old Olander farm relies on generational wisdom to weather Colorado's drought conditions

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:53pm

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a small farmhouse or barn structure dwarfed by an expansive, arid environment, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of the natural world.A century-old family farm in Loveland, Colorado navigates the challenges of a severe drought, relying on generational wisdom to adapt and endure the region's changing climate.Loveland Today

The Olander family farm in Loveland, Colorado is celebrating its 100th anniversary, but this year they are facing an exceptionally dry and windy season. As farmers across the state grapple with the impacts of drought, the Olanders are drawing on their generational wisdom to adapt their farming techniques and prepare for the uncertainty ahead.

Why it matters

The Olander farm's century-long history in Loveland represents the resilience of family-owned agriculture in Colorado, even as many other farms have been forced to move or shut down due to persistent drought conditions. Their story highlights the challenges facing the state's agricultural community and the importance of sustainable farming practices in the face of climate change.

The details

The Olander family has grown their business over the decades, providing malt for major brewers like Coors and Budweiser, as well as local craft breweries and distilleries. Todd Olander, the founder of Root Shoot Malting, says they have adapted their farming techniques in recent years to be more resilient to drought, including planting more drought-resistant small grains instead of water-intensive crops like corn.

  • The Olander farm is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
  • The region has been in a drought for several years, but this is the worst conditions Todd Olander says he and his father have experienced.

The players

Todd Olander

The founder of Root Shoot Malting, a business that provides malt to breweries and distilleries across the Front Range.

Olander Family

A five-generation family farm in Loveland, Colorado that has been in operation for 100 years.

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What they’re saying

“Malt can be made out of different grains, but typically it's barely. So, barley is used in probably about 95% of beer... But you can also malt wheat, you can malt rye, and you can also malt corn. All of those grains can be malted, and basically, you are just breaking down those starches inside those kernels and making it available for a brewer to access those during the brewing process.”

— Todd Olander, Founder, Root Shoot Malting

“We've been in a drought for quite a few years now, but this is definitely the worst that I've experienced, probably the worst my dad has experienced.”

— Todd Olander, Founder, Root Shoot Malting

“Things can turn around, so you just have to keep a positive attitude. I don't think my dad has not had any water throughout his entire lifetime, so you just have to keep a positive attitude that things will turn around. Until that day comes when it's a really big problem, you have to have a positive attitude.”

— Todd Olander, Founder, Root Shoot Malting

What’s next

The Olander family will continue monitoring the weather and drought conditions in the coming months, hoping for much-needed precipitation to help their crops. They plan to maintain their focus on sustainable farming practices to adapt to the changing climate.

The takeaway

The Olander family's century-long history on their Loveland farm demonstrates the resilience of family-owned agriculture in Colorado, even as persistent drought threatens the viability of many other farms. Their story highlights the importance of embracing sustainable farming techniques and maintaining a positive, adaptable mindset in the face of climate challenges.