Meet the Land O'Lakes interns helping shape the future of food and ag

People

They chose Land O'Lakes

A look at our intern experience this National Intern Day

Before day one.

Before first meetings.

Before stepping into a plant or logging into their laptops.

This year’s interns made a choice.

They chose Land O’Lakes.

And they didn’t all start from the same place.

Some joined as undergraduate interns, exploring career paths and gaining hands-on experience over the summer, many now beginning to wrap up their time with us. Some came in as graduate and MBA interns, building on prior experience and looking to apply their skills in new ways.

Different paths. Different perspectives. One shared decision.

I chose Land O'Lakes because I wanted to feel like my work made a difference. The experience has helped me see how my coursework connects to the real world and impact the industry.

Abby Shute/IT Intern, Arden Hills, MN

A woman in a Purdue sweatshirt poses next to a Land O'Lakes, Inc. sign.

What stood out to me before I even started was how friendly everyone here is. it quickly became clear that everyone who works here is down-to-earth and it really seems like they genuinely care.

Charlie Wirka/Purina Plant Supply Chain Intern, Nashville, IL

Side-by-side photos of a Purina intern wearing safety gear at a production facility, including a hard hat and safety glasses outdoors overlooking the plant, and full protective equipment.

What that looks like in practice

Across the business, interns step into real projects, contribute to real teams and get an early view of how their work connects to something bigger.

For some, that means being brought into projects earlier than expected and trusted to contribute right away. For others, it is the opportunity to take ownership of something tangible and see it through. And for many, it is the realization that they are not just observing. They are part of the work.

One of the projects I’ve been able to work on is a recipe and content development project centered around one of the Culinary Center’s key pillars: food content development.

Jocelyn Kletzien/Culinary Center Intern, Arden Hills, MN

A Culinary Center intern wearing a Land O’Lakes apron holds a freshly baked sheet-pan pizza in a test kitchen with stainless steel appliances and wood cabinets.

It has been incredibly rewarding to see how my work has connected me with sellers and growers, while also making a meaningful internal impact.

Danielle Bogner/second-year intern, WinField United, DFC/Forage Marketing Intern, Lansing, MI

Collage showing an intern at an agricultural Answer Plot field site and inside a dairy facility beneath a rotating milking parlor with cows overhead.

I’ve noticed growth in how I handle ambiguity, as my big summer project is intentionally broad. I’ve learned how to create my own structure and approach, which has built my confidence.

Chloe Hachfeld/Human Resources Pathways Intern, Arden Hills, MN

Two interns display handmade appreciation cards during a team activity in a meeting space.

The impact is not only in what gets done. It is in what interns take with them.

They build confidence in their skills. They gain clarity on what they want to do next. And they develop a stronger understanding of how they can contribute in a professional environment.

For some, that clarity is already shaping how they think about their future.

I had to connect insights, incorporate feedback, and develop a point of view on where Land O'Lakes could win. That experience strengthened my confidence navigating ambiguity.

Sean Cullinane/Corporate Strategy MBA Intern, Arden Hills, MN

Why it matters

Experiences like this do not happen by accident. They are built intentionally through meaningful work, support from teams, and a belief that early talent should be developed, not just managed.

At Land O'Lakes, internships are more than a short-term experience. They are part of how we cultivate future leaders, strengthen our workforce, and create opportunities for emerging talent to make a real impact from day one.

For Chief Human Resources Officer Julie Sexton, that commitment is fundamental to how Land O'Lakes prepares for the future.

"We believe the most important investment we can make in the future of Land O'Lakes is investing in people. The best way to secure a strong future for our member-owners is by developing the next generation of talent today. That's why early talent development is a strategic priority for our company.

The impact of that commitment is visible across our organization. Several of today's leaders at Land O'Lakes started as interns or participants in our development programs. Their success demonstrates what's possible when people are given meaningful opportunities to learn, contribute, and lead. When they grow, we grow.

By providing career-shaping experiences early in a person's journey, we're helping develop future leaders while building the workforce that will help Land O'Lakes thrive for generations to come."

Curious about the next class of future talent at Land O’Lakes? Keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities: https://careers.landolakesinc.com/us/en/students.