Basketball Legend and Robotics All-Stars to Meet in Minneapolis

Hoops-Shooting Robots to Compete in Land O'Lakes Bot Shot Challenge

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Feb 21, 2019, 11:45 ET

ARDEN HILLS, Minn., Feb. 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Land O'Lakes, Inc. today announced "Land O'Lakes Bot Shot," a robotics competition between students from seven universities vying for a $10,000 grand prize during a live event on April 7 in Minneapolis.

Student teams will design and build robots to shoot basketballs and square off in a game of "H-O-R-S-E" on Sunday, April 7, at DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis. Teams from seven universities are currently competing to be among the four finalists qualifying for the championship event.

"Like the American farmer, Land O'Lakes celebrates technology and creative minds -- from technological advancements to automation on the farm," said Beth Ford, President and CEO, Land O'Lakes, Inc. "Land O'Lakes Bot Shot will engage talented young minds and cutting-edge technology to celebrate innovation, creativity and competition. May the best team win!"

The competition begins in March with a virtual qualifying round when each team's robot will need to complete a series of basketball skills, under review by a panel of judges. The judges will select four finalists who will travel to Minneapolis for the championship event: a live game of "H-O-R-S-E" between the remaining teams.

Awaiting the winning team will be a chance to put their robot to one final test during a shoot around with basketball legend David Robinson.

"My passion is to help provide educational programming for young people, and Land O'Lakes Bot Shot is a unique way to raise awareness for STEM learning and careers in agriculture," said Robinson. "I'm excited to see the creativity of the teams and performance of their robots, and hopefully make a few shots myself."

Teams of competing students represent seven schools, including the University of Florida, Iowa State University, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Purdue University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, South Dakota State University and North Carolina A & T.

Materials and supplies to design and construct the robots have been provided by Land O'Lakes in partnership with AndyMark, Inc., a leading mechanical and electrical parts supplier with a focus on robotics education.

For more information, including team bios, competition rules and updates, visit www.landolakesinc.com/botshot.

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 agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2017 annual sales of $14 billion, Land O'Lakes is one of the nation's largest cooperatives, ranking 216 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 97 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, WinField United and Land O'Lakes SUSTAIN. 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.

About AndyMark, Inc.

AndyMark, Inc. develops, manufactures and distributes mechanical and electrical parts for the mobile and competitive robotics market, with a focus on robotics education. With simple beginnings in 2004, the business operated out of the homes of the company's founders, primarily to impact the FIRST Robotics community. Today, AndyMark employs over 55 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees at its 54,000 square foot facility located in Kokomo, Indiana. With its innovative and original designs, AndyMark is a global market leader for robot builders and mobile robotics.

SOURCE Land O'Lakes, Inc.