On Jul. 8, 1921, the Minnesota Cooperative Creameries Association (Land O’Lakes) was founded in Saint Paul as a member-owned cooperative by representatives from 320 creameries.

In 1922, John Brandt, President of the Meeker County Creamery Association in Litchfield, was elected to the board of directors and became their first president, a position he held until his death in 1953. The Meeker County Creamery Association was comprised of 19 community-centered cooperative creameries in south central Minnesota. Brandt was instrumental in organizing Land O’ Lakes, and through his efforts with the Meeker County group – First District Association – became the first member of the Land O’Lakes cooperative.

Today, Land O’Lakes is one of the largest co-ops in America, operating in all 50 states and more than 60 countries.