Austin Kraft (far right, above) thought he knew how to be an effective leader. He was a drum major in his high school’s marching band and a captain of the speech team. He also got involved student government when he started at the U.

That changed after Kraft, who just finished his first year in the U’s College of Science and Engineering, took part in LeaderShape. Sponsored by Land O’... Read more

Johanna Knorr, ’17 B.S., took the lead on a number of ventures while earning her degree in animal science/agricultural and food business management at the U of M. She was active in her college’s student board and mentor program, president of Beta of Clovia sorority, and manager of the Gopher Dairy Bar, which she says proudly served Land O’Lakes ice cream mix at the Minnesota State Fair.

“The LeaderShape program is contagious—once you participate, you will never be the same,” says Neil Mawah, a junior accounting major who attended the six-day leadership program during winter break 2017. “It challenges you to think deep and big, and to open your eyes to many possibilities as an aspiring leader.”

Neil was one of 60 U of M students participating in LeaderShape, a... Read more

In September 2014, Land O’Lakes announced a landmark $25 million investment in the University of Minnesota through the year 2024. How is this investment making a difference? Find out by watching this short video highlighting some of the “greatest hits” of our partnership during the last two years.

Food packing “teams” of 16 U of M student-athletes and Land O’Lakes executives partnered up on Tuesday, March 29 at the Arden Hills campus during this year's Minnesota FoodShare Month's employee volunteer event. In a fun and productive hour, the teams packed nearly 4,600 nutritious meals for the food pantry shelves at Keystone Community Services in St. Paul. In total, the day-long “March... Read more

In 2013, Land O’Lakes generously created a scholarship to support high-achieving juniors or transfer students studying in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. Each of these scholars has demonstrated a commitment to food or agriculture.

Brett Pfarr is a Land O’Lakes Scholar and wrestles for the Golden Gophers, where he also volunteers through athletic... Read more

One way Land O’Lakes is addressing the challenge of feeding the world’s growing population is through the Global Food Challenge – Emerging Leaders for Food Security fellowship, which was created in 2014.

Three exceptional and passionate University of Minnesota students are among the current group of emerging leaders who, thanks to Land O’Lakes, are working with agricultural experts and... Read more

U of M junior Mandi Egeland spent 2014-15 as a Global Food Challenge Emerging Leader for Food Security Fellow. She explored food security issues from many angles, visiting the African nations of Malawi and Zambia as well as Washington D.C. In addition, Mandi helped to recruit and mentor the program’s 2015-16 University of Minnesota cohort.

What was Mandi’s experience like? We caught up... Read more