In 1981, in a group of farmers gathered in a Minnesota board room of Land O’Lakes, Inc. to discuss a bold idea: international development. As members of a cooperative dating back to 1921, these farmer-members knew from experience that uniting to improve agriculture can lead to healthier communities and stronger economies. They also understood that food security and economic prosperity are good for all – for business ventures, for trade and for a more secure world.
This is how Venture37 got its roots.
Today they are an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, but they still leverage expertise, innovation and technology from Land O’Lakes, Inc.’s four diversified businesses. This takes shape in many ways. Whether its championing food safety regulations, driving innovation through reach + and development, optimizing supply chain networks or offering farmers services to make informed decisions — they combine premier agribusiness know-how with local insights to creating last impact.
Forty years after a room full of farmers decided to work together across continents and cultures for the common good — they still share a common purpose of advancing agriculture to feed human progress.