Land O'Lakes Foundation Awards 2014 John Brandt Memorial Scholarships

ARDEN HILLS, Minn., July 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2014 winners of John Brandt Memorial Scholarship, are Justin Banach, Steven Beckman and Isaac Salfer. The scholarship is awarded annually by the Land O'Lakes Foundation to graduate students who have shown exceptional aptitude in the study of dairy animal, food science or agribusiness.

Banach, a doctoral student at Iowa State University, is studying milk protein modification techniques with the aim of increasing demand for and sales of milk. His ultimate goal is to become a dairy foods entrepreneur or consultant.

Beckman, a doctoral student at South Dakota State University, is studying dairy manufacturing with the hopes to develop a tool or set of tools for dairy manufacturing to produce high quality, long lasting dairy powders. He says his future goals include returning to academia after spending time in the food industry. 

Salfer is a master's student at the University of Minnesota, studying dairy nutrition. His current research is studying the in vitro system, and he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Animal Science, emphasizing nutritional physiology of dairy cows.

"The John Brandt Memorial Scholarship is a great program to honor the entrepreneurial spirit of our first president by equipping students who are innovating in the dairy industry," said Lydia Botham, executive director of the Land O'Lakes Foundation. 

The John Brandt Memorial Foundation scholarship program supports graduate students pursuing work in dairy animal, food science or agribusiness at one of four eligible institutions: Iowa State University, South Dakota State University, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The scholarships started in 1952 and are awarded each year in memory of John Brandt, an industry organizer who founded and remained president of Land O'Lakes from 1921 until his death in 1953.

Those interested in applying for the John Brandt Scholarship for the 2015-2016 school year can find more information at http://www.landolakesinc.com/company/corporateresponsibility/foundation/johnbrandt/default.aspx.

Applications for the 2015-2016 school year will be due by May 15, 2015.

About the Land O'Lakes Foundation
The Land O'Lakes Foundation was established in 1996 and is made possible by support from Land O'Lakes, Inc.  In addition to distributing the John Brandt Memorial Foundation Scholarship, the Foundation awards community grants to projects that develop and strengthen organizations dedicated to hunger relief, education and the community.

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.
Land O'Lakes, Inc., one of America's premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from farm production to consumer foods. With 2013 annual sales of more than $14.2 billion, Land O'Lakes is one of the nation's largest cooperatives, ranking 199 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 93 years of operation, Land O'Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands in agribusiness and food production including LAND O LAKES® Dairy Foods, Purina Animal Nutrition and WinField. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O'Lakes, Inc,. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minn.

SOURCE Land O'Lakes, Inc.