Milk and dairy Sustainability Innovation Our farmers About FrieslandCampina 150 years Language HomeOur farmersDutch heritage Our cooperative: for and by farmers The FrieslandCampina cooperative was established in 1871. Farmers started to realise that they would be stronger if they stood together. Today, 150 years later, the cooperative has 16,995 member dairy farmers who do everything they can for their cows, their land and the good nutrition that we produce for the world on a daily basis. Our history Our company dates back to 1871. In those days, there were thousands of farmers in the Netherlands, all operating independently. They delivered the milk from their cows to private factories or used it to make cheese or butter on their own farms. It was hard work for the women farmers, as they took on the largest share of the work. Despite the hard work, farmers’ incomes were low, causing poverty in many farming families. Their situation was quite desperate. More and more cooperation In 1872, twenty farmers in the Hollandsche Wieringerwaard region in the province of North Holland decided to join forces. They bought a building, two cheese vats and a scale, and they appointed a cheese maker. That is how the first official collaboration between farmers began. Something similar happened in Warga, a village in the province of Friesland, where a group of farmers united in a cooperative. Taking control Collaborations and cooperatives were formed in numerous villages in North Holland and Friesland. Farmers in the rest of the country united in the years that followed. The first cooperative in the province of Limburg was founded in a village called Tungelroy in 1882. Farmers took control, gained power over what happened to their milk and decided for themselves how to run their business. They kept the proceeds of their collaboration for themselves. The cooperative has been a dependable way for farmers to work together ever since. It helped to raise many farmers out of poverty. Much has changed This form of cooperation did not only change the lives of farmers in the Netherlands. By investing in a factory together, purchasing equipment and recruiting employees, they were able to take cheese making to a higher level. The process of collaboration triggered major advancements regarding people, ideas and technology. A flourishing time began for hundreds of cooperatives and private businesses. Through mergers and collaborations, most of them have been incorporated into what is now FrieslandCampina. One of the most modern dairy industries in the world What began with that first cheese factory and two cheese vats in 1872 has now grown into one of the most modern dairy industries in the world. Even so, the interests of our member dairy farmers still come first in the cooperative. The company's profits are still paid out to the owners of the company: our member dairy farmers. Personal story Marcel Lageschaar “Both my grandfather, Frans Lageschaar, and my father, Job, were dairy farmers. In their footsteps, I became a dairy farmer, too. The profession was passed down from father to son. This farm is now about 20 years old. Before this, we had a farm in a neighbouring village called Vragender.” Read Marcel's story Would you like to learn more about our member dairy farmers? If you would like to learn more about our member dairy farmers, check out these other pages: Owned by farmers From grass to glass Foqus planet News Stories Contact Careers Melkweb HoRizon Follow us Disclaimer Terms and Conditions Privacy Statement Cookie Statement Modern Slavery Statement Cookie settings We respect your privacy We use cookies and similar technologies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. Press “Accept Cookies” to continue directly to our website or click “Cookie Settings” to change your cookie preferences. For more information, please read our Cookie Policy Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies