John Brandt (1886 - 1953)

Inducted: 1983

In 1920 John Brandt was elected president of the Meeker County Creamery Association, comprising 19 community-centered cooperative creameries in south central Minnesota. He was instrumental in organizing Land O’Lakes, and through his efforts the Meeker County group became the first member of this cooperative. Two years after Land O’ Lakes’ founding, Brandt was elected president, a position he held for 30 years. He was devoted to establishing the cooperative farmers’ position in the marketplace, and building a farmer’s voice in governmental affairs. He was a member of the board of directors of the National Milk Producers Federation during most of his career and president for 12 years.