Scott Dorsch

Scott's journey in agriculture began on a small winter wheat farm and cow-calf operation in extreme northwest Kansas. From a young age, he immersed himself in family farm life, learning alongside his father and grandfather as they tended to wheat and other grain crops, as well as the family livestock herd. Encouraged by his parents, particularly his mother, a school teacher who valued education, Scott pursued his passion for agriculture after graduating from high school.

His academic journey led him to Kansas State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Agronomic Sciences in 1987. Scott's dedication to agricultural research kept him at K-State for his graduate studies under the mentorship of Dr. Rollin G. Sears, a renowned wheat breeder. Scott focused on the improvement of Hard Red Winter Wheat through research, including his thesis on the "Heritability of Aluminum Tolerance in Triticum aestivum" where he explored the tolerance of wheat genotypes to acidic soil.

After completing his Master of Science in Agronomy in 1989, Scott embarked on a career with AgriPro Biosciences in Colorado, where he continued his work on wheat improvement. In 1991 Scott joined Busch Agricultural Resources, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch Companies, as an International Agronomist. Tasked with adapting malting barley genotypes for global expansion, Scott's role took him across five continents, broadening his malting barley perspective and expertise.

In 2001, Scott's focus shifted to hop research initiatives within Busch Ag, marking a significant transition from small grains to highly specialized perennial plants. As a representative and officer for the Hop Research Council, he collaborated closely with growers and researchers to develop classic aroma hops for the Pacific Northwest regions of the United States.

Corporate changes in 2008 led to the discontinuation of hop research efforts at Busch Ag and Scott joined Odell Brewing Company, an established regional craft brewery. Here, he expanded his skills to include brewing and procuring brewing raw materials, including hops. Scott remains deeply involved in the brewing industry, representing Odell Brewing Company on the Hop Research Council, the Hop Quality Group, the American Malting Barley Association, the National Barley Improvement Committee as well as the Brewers Association Supply-Chain Subcommittee.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Scott takes pride in his role as a parent to two adult children, Austin and Andrew, both Eagle Scouts. Despite working full time in the brewing industry, he remains dedicated to managing the family farm in Northwest Kansas, spending most weekends honoring his agricultural heritage and passion.