Rooted in History, Spirited in Innovation
Tucked into the foothills of Loveland, Colorado, Olander Farms has been in the same family for five generations. Today, under the Root Shoot Malting and Spirits name, the Olanders are carrying that legacy forward in bold new ways: farming regeneratively, malting their own grains, and distilling whiskey just miles from where it all begins.
We recently had the opportunity to visit. Our day began in what they call the Head Maltster’s Office… a light-filled space perched beside the malting facility. The air carried the warm, sweet aroma of sprouted grain. On the table before us sat several small dishes of finished malt, golden and nutty. Sampling a few kernels, we were surprised at the depth of flavor: sweet at first, then toasty, with a faint hint of bread dough. It was a fitting introduction to a place where flavor and farming are inseparable.
From there, we stepped into the malting facility itself. The hum of machinery mixed with the earthy scent of damp grain in various stages of germination. Outside, the farm spread wide under a Colorado sky. fields once lined with barley, wheat, and corn, had been freshly harvested. Later, circling back to the Head Maltster’s Office, it was clear how each part of this place connects: soil, grain, malt, and finally, spirit.
After the tour, we had the privilege of sitting down with Heyward Gualandi, Sales Director at Root Shoot, to talk about their philosophy, regenerative practices, and what’s next for this unique “grain-to-glass” operation.
Grain to Glass: Sustainability in Every Sip
Q: Root Shoot is known for being fully integrated from grain to glass. Can you share how that approach shapes the way you think about sustainability… not just in farming, but in distilling and in building relationships with your customers?
Heyward: As a farm and malting facility, we’re always interested in the unique and exciting beverages our customers are creating. Honestly, we take a lot of inspiration from them. When a small brewery or distillery uses our grains, and then serves those creations locally, it reminds us why we do this work. That excitement feeds into our own brand, too. We’re just as thrilled about a pint poured across town as we are about bringing Root Shoot Whiskey to market. For us, sustainability means supporting that full circle of creativity and community.
Regeneration in Practice: More Than a Buzzword
Q: “Sustainability” can sometimes be a buzzword. How does Root Shoot move beyond it into truly regenerative practices? What does that look like day to day?
Heyward: For us, it comes down to five pillars of regenerative agriculture. First, we minimize soil disturbance by practicing no-till farming. Instead of turning the soil, we use a drill to plant directly into it. Second, we maximize diversity, rotating crops and planting cover crops to keep the system balanced. Third, we keep living roots in the ground with winter barley or late-summer cover crops. Fourth, we keep the soil covered, whether that’s through straw decomposition or cover cropping again. And finally, we integrate livestock… letting cows graze directly on those cover crops, both from our own herd and from local dairies.
Those aren’t abstract ideas. They’re choices we make every season. Together, they build healthier soil, conserve water, and create a farm that’s more resilient for the future.
Leadership and Legacy: Thinking in Generations
Q: As Sales Director, you’re helping tell Root Shoot’s story. What leadership lessons have you learned from being part of a business that prioritizes stewardship of the land as much as business growth?
Heyward: Being part of a fifth-generation farm changes your perspective. We don’t just think about this year’s bottom line or the next five quarters. We’re thinking about the next five generations. Of course, we still have to operate profitably to make that possible. But we refuse to trade long-term health of the land for short-term profit.
That way of thinking becomes part of you. It gives us the freedom to lead in areas like land conservation, regenerative practices, and community partnerships. It’s not just about running a business; it’s about leaving the land vibrant and farmable for whoever comes after us.
Growing Soil, Growing Community
Q: Root Shoot is deeply rooted in Northern Colorado. How do you see your work connecting with and supporting the local community?
Heyward: We like to say that we don’t just grow grains—we grow soil and community. For most of our history, Root Shoot Malting was really a business-to-business supplier. Breweries and distilleries knew us, but consumers didn’t. That shifted when we started distilling whiskey in 2018. Those barrels had to age, of course, so it wasn’t until 2022 that people could finally taste it.
Now, our whiskey gives us a chance to bring consumers directly into the story. By doing that, we highlight local ingredients, short supply chains, and resilient farming practices—things our producer partners already know well. But now, the wider community gets to experience it firsthand, too.
Looking Ahead: Innovation on the Horizon
Q: What’s on the horizon for Root Shoot Spirits and Olander Farms that excites you most?
Heyward: We always remind ourselves: we’re a farm first. That means innovation on the malting and spirits side will be driven by what’s happening in the soil. We’re constantly experimenting—testing out new and heritage varieties of barley, wheat, and corn, or trying less commonly malted grains like corn. Those experiments don’t just help the farm; they open the door to new flavors in whiskey.
We’re also working on collaborations tied to our local community using finishing casks from other producers in the area, or developing new expressions like Bourbon. Our goal is for every bottle to serve as an ambassador for this farm and the grains we’re growing here in Loveland.
Closing Reflections: Soil, Spirit, and Stewardship
As the tour wound down, we returned to the Head Maltster’s Office where we’d started. The late-morning light slanted across the room, catching on jars of malt and notebooks filled with careful records. Beside, the malting facility hummed along steadily, a reminder of how tradition and innovation intertwine here.
We thought back to the sweet crunch of malt, the smell of damp grain sprouting in the germination tanks, and the wide expanse of fields under the Colorado sky. Together, they told a story bigger than whiskey: one of stewardship, community, and regeneration.
For leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations, Root Shoot’s example offers lasting lessons:
- Think in generations, not quarters.
- Make regeneration foundational, not optional.
- Invite your customers into community, not just commerce.
- Keep experimenting—with purpose and place at the center.
- Protect the resources that truly matter.
A warm thanks to Heyward Gualandi for sharing his insights, and to the Olander family for opening their doors to a vision that goes well beyond farming.
If you’d like to taste that vision for yourself, look for Root Shoot Whiskey at your local Colorado liquor store. Each bottle carries with it the story of the soil, the legacy of five generations, and the spirit of a community committed to thriving together.
Cheers to that.