Today, New Belgium Brewing, Olander Farms, and Root Shoot Malting, in collaboration with Downforce Technologies, announced the successful demonstration of climate smart barley farming’s ability to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere while maintaining high brewing quality standards. The Climate Smart Barley project, funded by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, is the first in the state to demonstrate a climate-smart barley supply chain that meets international greenhouse gas standards (ISO 14064).
As part of this initiative, Olander Farms’ barley fields achieved an estimated net removal of over 4,000 tons of carbon while also improving farm-level operational performance. In addition to carbon removal, Olander Farms achieved a relative soil health score of 84%, representing best in class agricultural performance. This score was calculated using Downforce Technologies’ advanced soil health system and a patented U.S. land classification model which compares how similar pieces of land perform, using 20 variables.
Brewing trials confirmed that the high quality of the barley was fully maintained, suggesting the supply chain’s potential to scale climate-smart practices across the beer industry.
“A part of New Belgium’s climate strategy focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our operations and supply chain so that the product consumers pull off the shelf does not contribute to irreversible climate change,” said New Belgium’s Senior Director of Environmental Programs Walker Modic. “Having this project’s data indicates we can make sustainable, low-emissions beer from grain to glass.”
Using Downforce Technologies’ ISO 14064-aligned verification and advanced soil health measurements, the project provides audit-ready sustainability data that breweries can use to meet carbon reduction commitments and inform Scope 3 reporting of indirect emissions across a company’s value chain.
“Olander Farms is a 100-year-old, five-generation family farm, and we’re proud to supply craft malt to breweries and distilleries throughout the US.,” said Todd Olander, Founder and Farmer at Root Shoot Malting. “The Climate Smart Barley project demonstrated that our regenerative practices aren’t just good for the land, they’re actively removing carbon from the atmosphere. It’s a meaningful step forward for the agriculture and brewery supply chain.”
The project indicates a replicable model that is designed to not only build sustainability credentials but also establish supply chain resilience and a premium product for the consumer.
“The project shows that connecting farmers, maltsters, and breweries through verified data can turn climate smart barley into a reliable, resilience-building asset,” said Head of Product & Business Development (Americas) at Downforce Technologies Luke Richards. “Many consumers are willing to pay more for sustainably produced beer, and with Colorado’s sizeable barley production and craft industry, scaling the Climate Smart Barley project’s verification framework could deliver significant environmental and economic benefits.”
This shared project was made possible by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. To learn more about the Climate Smart Barley project, visit https://bit.ly/4mUpJrP
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