Back in 1981
A small group of leaders at a small cooperative headquartered in a small midwestern state had a big idea: to help transform agriculture around the world.

These big thinkers went exploring. And what they discovered was a world that could prosper through the agricultural know-how they’d built since their co-op’s founding in 1921. This belief came from their value – that farmers help farmers, no matter where they live.

These visionaries founded Land O’Lakes International Development to implement agricultural development projects. The ambition of their work was to improve agricultural practices and markets, leading to better incomes for farmers and their families, stronger agricultural businesses and industries, and more resilient and secure communities.

This ambition lives on today.

Since 1981, we’ve implemented over 300 projects in nearly 80 countries. And today, we strengthen our commitment to helping communities thrive through agriculture – from farmer-to-fork.

And that small midwestern co-op? Today, Land O’Lakes, Inc. membership footprint spans all 50 states, and they ended 2018 with $15 billion in revenue, placing them at 212 on the Fortune 500.

We’re proud to announce our new name: Land O’Lakes Venture37.

Why Venture37?

It’s simple: 37 is the percentage of our Earth’s land where farmers grow the crops and raise the livestock that nourish the world. While the farmland footprint varies country to country, 37% is all we’ve got to work with. With the world’s population growing, we’ve got to work together – across continents, cultures and markets – to ensure abundant nutritious food is accessible so everyone can reach their full potential. And we need to do this in a way that sustains the health of our soil, water and air.

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is uniquely positioned to help solve this challenge. Decades of experience leading complex projects around the world, coupled with the world-class technical and business expertise of the Land O’Lakes, Inc. team, means we have the agricultural wisdom and the talent to deliver.

At Land O’Lakes Venture37, we believe:

• That agricultural development is the primary lever for economic growth in emerging countries
• That there is a path to global food security though inclusion, innovation, and entrepreneurship
• That there is power in community and cooperation, and in the values of fairness, authenticity, and humility
• That good partners can share knowledge, create breakthrough solutions, and change the world for the better

We invite you to join with us in this next chapter of our global adventure. Take a look at our new website and read about the impact we’re making. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook and share the stories that move you.
 
Be sure to check back to see how you might work with us, too.
 
We said it before, but it bears repeating: We’ve got to work together – across continents, cultures and markets – to ensure abundant nutritious food is accessible so everyone can reach their full potential. We do this in pursuit of our purpose: Feeding Human Progress.