People are often surprised when they hear about the international development assistance that Land O’Lakes provides, and even more surprised when they learn that Land O’Lakes has been in this business since 1981. The comments are often, “And I thought you were just a butter company!”

Staff, consultants, and volunteers raise awareness of Land O’Lakes international humanitarian efforts through presentations about their assignments with the International Development Division. One such consultant is Lochrane “Lockie” Gary, who has conducted several assignments for Land O’Lakes over the past seven years, including four assignments in Afghanistan, where he trained Afghan women field agents on animal husbandry and dairy production issues. After completing the training, part of a USAID-funded project entitled "Afghanistan Dairy Industry Revitalization Project for Afghanistan," the agents returned to their villages to teach other women farmers. Each agent had approximately 100 women farmer clients. The total number of clients grew from 737 to over 1,800. By following the recommended changes, the agents saw improvements in the quality of feedstuffs, and farmers were making water more readily available to their cows. Simple changes like these resulted in higher milk yields, and increased household income.
 
As County Extension Director at the University of Florida, Lockie is a highly visible member of his community who is invited to speak about his foreign travels at least 50 times a year. He shared the following story from one of his recent speaking engagements:

“After the program, there were several folks who approached me to offer thanks for our efforts, and there was an older gentleman who waited patiently until the room had cleared out. He came to me with tears streaming down his face. He was visibly moved and could barely hold himself upright. He put his hand on my shoulder and motioned for me to sit down with him. This is what he told me. ‘I have never purchased Land O’Lakes butter because I couldn’t see the difference between it and the less-expensive kind. Today I have both seen and tasted the difference! Thank you for opening my eyes to the good deeds Land O’Lakes is doing in some of the harshest places on earth. My wife is gone now so I do my own shopping. I will never buy the cheaper butter again.’”

Lockie Gary, along with hundreds of other employees, consultants and volunteers, help Land O’Lakes make a difference in the lives of people overseas, as well as here at home.

Photo below: Lockie Gary (top center) trains women field agents in Afghanistan.