Farmers have always been at the heart of Land O’Lakes, Inc.
In 1921, 320 dairy farmers met in St. Paul, Minnesota, to form the Minnesota Cooperative Creameries Association. Their idea was simple -- join together to effectively market and distribute members’ dairy production across the country.
From there, Land O'Lakes quickly set its sights on growth. Just eight years after establishing our butter marketing organization, we expanded into the ag services and feed businesses. Today, our four businesses give us a farmer-to-fork view of agriculture.
Central to our success? Our farmers and our member-ownership model. We're always delivering on our responsibility to member-owners through our core values: We're united in a common cause, committed to excellence and inspired by our place in the world.
Nearly 100 years later, farmers are still our foundation.
Read and listen to learn why we stand with farmers:
Digesting manure and recycling food waste to keep the family farm running
Sticking with it
The Farmer
By Amelia Barr (1831-1919)
The king may rule o’er land and sea,
The lord may live right royally,
The soldier ride in pomp and pride,
The sailor roam o’er ocean wide;
But this or that, whate’er befall,
The farmer he must feed them all.
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Full poem here]
Something Greater podcast bonus episode: Our co-op soul
"Being part of this cooperative has helped me be a better member of our community. So, it’s done something greater for our community. The cooperative system gives members a voice in the direction of the business and believe in the betterment of all members."
The Modern Farmer
"It's not just that farmer they think of when they read their preschool books. I gotta be plumber, I gotta be an electrician, I gotta be a welder, I gotta be a tractor operator. And I have to be in the office to take care of the -ins and -outs of the business. And I need to understand my animals. And the modern dairy farmer can do all that."

Farmers find a way
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