Hess Mills was started in the 1940s by John J Hess. John ran the mill until he retired and handed it over to John J Hess II, his son. John J Hess II then continued to run the mill until his passing in 2003. Hess Mills was then acquired by Purina Mills in 2004. Currently, Hess Mills is a Purina Mills/Land O'Lakes dealership offering a varierty of animal feeds, as well as a nutrition/farm consulting service.