2011 March/April Issue - Land O'Lakes Inc.

of a legislator in Washington or the statehouse,I have much more influence withthe weight of Land O’Lakes behind me.As politics and legislation increasinglyaffect our businesses, Land O’Lakesis ramping up its activity in the politicalarena. We have a full-time governmentrelations staff representing members’interests; we play leadership roles in keyindustry associations; and – very importantly– Land O’Lakes promotes memberinvolvement in advocacy. Having participatedin a number of visits to CapitolHill, I’ve seen first-hand that when producersspeak, legislators listen. We bringreal-world experience and credibility tothe conversation about agriculture issues,and this grassroots advocacy can bevery effective.Last year, for example, the BDS teambrought more than 100 local cooperativemanagers and board members toWashington, D.C., for issues briefings anddiscussions with key elected officials andstaff. A spring Board meeting was held inthe nation’s capital, where we had the opportunityto advocate for members and thecooperative system. And our Policies andResolutions Committee took a proactiveapproach to advocacy, particularly duringits summer meeting in Washington. Theissues discussed included food safety, environmentalregulation, trade policy, childnutrition, energy, transportation and farmincome security, to name a few.Our involvement with industry associationsgives Land O’Lakes an even strongervoice on a broad range of industryissues. For example, this past yearLand O’Lakes worked with NationalMilk Producers Federation onFoundation for the Future, a comprehensiveset of policy proposals that areintended to provide greater stabilityin the dairy industry (see related storyon page 28). We also played a key rolein developing the Farmers AssuringPresident and CEO Chris Policinski catches up with Board member Rich Ritchey of Columbus, Ne., andformer Land O’Lakes Board chairman Stan Zylstra.Responsible Management (FARM) animalcare initiative, which is now beingimplemented throughout Land O’Lakes.Contributing to societyThe final area I’ll mention is the abilityof our cooperative to contribute tothe communities in which we live andwork, mainly through the Land O’LakesFoundation, as well as the broader globalcommunity through our internationaldevelopment efforts.In the U.S., over the past 10 years,Land O’Lakes has given $22 million inOur involvement withindustry associations givesLand O’Lakes an even strongervoice on a broad range ofindustry issues.cash and $7 million in “in-kind” contributionsto worthy organizations. In 2010,grants, contributions and in-kind givingtotaled $3.5 million. Hundreds of ruralcommunities have benefited from thesecontributions, including the Meals onWheels program in Somerset, Pa.; fundingfor fire-fighting equipment for Arcadia,Iowa; and Hanford, California’s CountyFair 4-H Dairy Barn.Our International DevelopmentDivision (IDD) has provided economicdevelopment and humanitarian assistancein developing nations for 30 years.IDD has facilitated 260 developmentprojects in 76 countries – feeding millionsof people, and enabling millionsmore to feed themselves by buildingagricultural infrastructure, know-howand capability.In all these ways, Land O’Lakes createsvalue for members. As I said at the AnnualMeeting, most organizations don’t endurefor 90 years – and fewer still continue togrow in size, scale and relevance. So as wecelebrate our 90th anniversary, we can beproud of our heritage and confident aboutour powerful future. ■Pete is the chairman of the Land O’LakesBoard of Directors. He milks 420 Holsteinsand farms 1,200 acres of crops inTwo Rivers, Wis.www.landolakesinc.com MARCH/APRIL 2011 7