Almost halfway between Norwood Young America and Cologne, along Highway 212, lies a dairy-lovers’ paradise.

This year that paradise, Bongards’ Creameries, is celebrating a century of operation.

Local residents can get in on the party Saturday when Bongards’ Creameries holds an open house, complete with food, prizes and a chance to get a photo taken with the giant Bongards’ cow.

The company got its start in the town of the same name in 1908, when 72 area farmers got together to form a cooperative.

“They were looking for a place to market their milk,” said Karen Nagel, who has served as the Bongards’ office manager since the 1960s.

Each farmer invested $25 for a share in the co-op. Soon they were transporting milk to Bongards’ in cans and trucks. On site, they sold milk and cream and made butter.

In 1942, Bongards’ added cheese-making facilities. They made natural cheese there for three decades before expanding to include processed cheese production. In the last 10 years alone, they’ve garnered nearly a dozen awards for their cheddar.

Natural cheese production moved to Perham, Minn. in 2003 when Bongards’ purchased a building from Land O’ Lakes.

“It was either reinvest $100 million in our facility here or find an alternative,” explained Keith Grove, general manager for Bongards’ Creameries.

After Oak Grove Dairy closed in Norwood Young America closed in 2004, Bongards’ became the only dairy-related plant operating in a county that once called itself the “Golden Buckle of the Dairy Belt.”

Today, Bongards’ creates a number of dairy products, from whey powder to cheese curds. The majority of their products are sold to private labels, though you can find the Bongards’ name at local stores including its own retail store on site.

Selling to private labels has allowed Bongards’ to focus on their product rather than on their competitors in the dairy industry. “We’re large enough to serve our customers, yet small enough to be responsive to their needs,” said Grove.

Being able to use so much of the milk that is now trucked into their facilities is a big key to Bongards’ success. “We add value all along the way,” said Grove. “We’re not dependant on commodities.”

Grove said their success can also be attributed to having loyal members. “We have several third-generation producers,” said Nagel.

Today, Bongards’ Creameries can boast 490 co-op members and another 300 to 400 members from its feeder plants.

“There is a consistent market for our members’ milk,” said Grove. Bongards’ also enjoys great employee longevity. Of the 184 employees at its Bongards’ plant (an additional 96 are employed in Perham), many have worked with them for 30 years or more.

Now, as Bongards’ looks to the future, it hopes to build on success in the dairy industry while making their Bongards’ site a destination for travelers.

Bongards’ is currently expanding their retail store to include sandwiches and ice cream, in addition to their cheese and milk products. It is also adding a picnic area, and even moving the giant Bongards’ cow across the street to encourage travelers to visit.

“We want to make it a country stop,” said Grove.

-Mollee Francisco, staff writer

Bongards’ Open House

When: Saturday, June 21

Where: Bongards’ Creameries, 13200 Co. Rd. 51, Bongards

More info: www.bongards.com [2]