Over the years, Carver County has been home to many creameries and dairy operations, but only two with any national acclaim or attention. Many are already familiar with Bongards Creameries, but Oak Grove Dairy once called Carver County home as well. In operation for over 70 years, Oak Grove Dairy left an indelible mark on the history of Carver County and Minnesota.
Oak Grove Dairy’s long history began back in 1933. The operation started on a 24,000-acre farm located between Shakopee and Savage, started by George Benz. The operation grew quickly, and by 1936, it had outgrown its land and structures. The operation was relocated to the Norwood Creamery, and it became the permanent home of Oak Grove Dairy. The original plant had eleven staff and distributed only within Carver County. At the height of operation, it employed 266 staff and sold product to over 90% of Minnesota through over 2000 retailers.
In the earliest days of the creamery, patrons shipped cream to the dairy, later it was whole milk. There were two ways that the dairy got its supply: either delivered in milk cans by the farmers, or picked up by milk haulers. All milk cans were emptied, washed, and steam sterilized to be returned to farmers for the next batch. With increased mechanization, milk now goes from refrigerated bulk tanks on farms, into stainless steel tank trunks, to the plant. At its peak of operation, Oak Grove Dairy received milk from farmers in a seven county radius.
Over its years of operation, many changes and improvements were made at Oak Grove. In 1980, a blow mold was installed at the plant, allowed workers to make their own plastic bottles, furthering the change from milk cans and glass bottles to conveyor belts and plastic. In 1986, the plant was enlarged and modernized, increasing production to about 65,000 fluid gallons of milk each day. In 1988, Oak Grove Dairy stopped buying milk directly from farmers and producers, who then had to transport milk elsewhere, like Glencoe Butter. After this change, Oak Grove purchased its milk from Bongards Creameries, Glencoe Butter and Produce, the FDA (First District Association) and the NFO.
During this time, Oak Grove Creamery was an active part of its community. The company made donations to community events, aided in flood relief in 1997, served ice cream at events, and more. In March 1999, staffers served 3,200 ice cream cones over the course of two days at the Norwood Young America Farm and Home Show.
The beginning of the end started in 2000, when Oak Grove Dairy was sold from the Benz Family to Marigold Foods, Inc. This brought the company under the umbrella of Kemps’, as the parent organization. Management changed a few times in the next few years, until the decision was made to cease operations and close the plant in 2004. Operations were combined with the Duluth and Minneapolis plants, with some staff moving to work at the Minneapolis branch. All others had to seek new employment.
Many reasons were discussed for why this plant was closed, among them the decreasing number of dairy farms. The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes 650 dairy farms in Carver County in 1979, down to fewer than 150 in 2004. Many smaller operations throughout the state closed around this time, or consolidated with larger companies, just to survive financially. Whatever the reason for its closing, Oak Grove Dairy left its mark on Carver County history. Its name lives on in the Oak Grove City Center that’s stands in Norwood Young America in the twenty-first century.
Related Resources:
[Primary]
Garrison-Sprenger, Nicole. “Big moo-ve: Kemps Closes Oak Grove Dairy in Carver Co.” Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, July 8, 2004. Accessed August 28, 2014.
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2004/07/12/story6.html?page=all
Oak Grove Dairy. Oak Grove, Bottled in the Country. 1933-2004. Norwood, 2004.
“Oak Grove Dairy Joins Marigold Family.” Kemps Limited Edition Article, Summer 2000.
[Secondary]
“City Receives Grant for Oak Grove Project.” Norwood Young America Times, October 2, 2008.
“Oak Grove Celebrates 50 Years in Area with Open House Sunday.” Norwood Young America Times, April 24, 1986.
“Oak Grove Dairy, Milk For Army, Five Norwood Farmers Supplying Grade A Milk for Uncle Sam’s Soldiers at Fort Snelling.” Weekly Valley Herald, March 13, 1941.
“Oak Grove Project.” Norwood Young America Times, November 29, 2007.
“Oak Grove Will Be closing in NYA.” Norwood Young America Times, October 30, 2003.
“Twins Player Joins Oak Grove.” Norwood Times, October 26, 1967.
