ARDEN HILLS, Minn. (Aug. 6, 2018) – Land O’Lakes, Inc. was recently named a Yellow Ribbon Company by the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs’ Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program. The program, initiated in 2007, recognizes companies and communities that proactively create a workplace culture that supports and meets the needs of service members, veterans and military families.
"Land O’Lakes, Inc. is extremely honored and humbled to receive this worthy and especially important honor. All employees who are either current or former military members, along with their families, are critical to our success of our organization and we are grateful to be recognized by the Yellow Ribbon Recognition Program for our commitment to supporting those who served our country so honorably and sacrificed so much," said Philomena Morrissey Satre, Land O’Lakes, Inc. director of diversity and inclusion.
Yellow Ribbon Company-designated organizations partner with the State of Minnesota Director of Military Outreach to develop a sustainable, formal Action Plan that demonstrates their long-term commitment to service members, veterans and their families. Commitments are made in the areas of 1) Veteran recruiting, hiring and retention, 2) Military connected employee support and 3) Military connected community support. The company also commits to identifying and connecting leaders in key areas across the company, leveraging existing support activities, building awareness throughout the company and taking action to support our nation’s military.
"The Yellow Ribbon review board -- with representatives from the Minnesota Departments of Military Affairs and Veteran’s Affairs and members of Governor Dayton’s staff -- were very, very impressed by the support shown to military employees and their families at Land O’Lakes, said Annette Brechon Kuyper, Director of Military Outreach, Minnesota Department of Military Affairs. “The company’s willingness to train leaders on best practices on engaging with military team members, and the number and breadth of the activities of the Vets ERG demonstrate the deep commitment Land O’Lakes has for the military community.”
Brigadier General Johanna Clyborne, Director of the Joint Staff with the Minnesota National Guard and Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon were on-hand at the August 1 Land O’Lakes, Inc. Employee Town Hall to present the proclamation signed by Governor Mark Dayton.