The Port of Oswego Authority, (POA), and The DeLong Co., Inc. of Clinton, WI, recently hosted an open house and facility tour for local grain farmers that will be delivering grain this fall to the Port, said William Scriber, POA executive director and CEO. On-hand for the event were, from left: Marie Everdyke, Delong Co. merchandising administrator; Patrick McMahon, POA development and maintenance supervisor; William Scriber, POA executive director and CEO; Johnny Hurlburt, DeLong Co. grain merchandiser; and Thomas Schneider, POA board member.
OSWEGO, NY – The Port of Oswego Authority, (POA), and The DeLong Co., Inc. of Clinton, WI, recently hosted an open house and facility tour for local grain farmers that will be delivering grain this fall to the Port, said William Scriber, POA executive director and CEO.
The Delong Co. recently signed an agreement with the POA to lease the Port’s 750,000-bushel grain storage facility. The grain is shipped to international markets and moved by truck and rail to domestic markets.
“This open house and tour for our grain producers gave them an opportunity to see first-hand the facility’s capacity and improved handling capabilities that will benefit everyone,” said Marie Everdyke, DeLong merchandising administrator. “This facility gives producers more delivery options for their grain and gave us the chance to meet many of them face-to-face.”
“We are gratified to see The Delong Co. work with our local grain farmers and maximize the use of our $15 million Grain Export Center, which opened in 2022,” Scriber said. “It is the largest facility of its kind on Lake Ontario in New York State, and it has the most technologically advanced handling system on the Great Lakes. In addition, it has an on-site USDA lab— the only one of its kind among our sister Great Lakes ports.
“To operate the lab, which tests each load of grain delivered to the Port, we have collaborated with SUNY Oswego and the program is directed by professor Cleane Medeiros, Ph.D., director, Agricultural Testing and Analysis Laboratories, who staffs the lab with paid student interns. The interns’ majors range from chemistry and biochemistry to biology and zoology. We appreciate their assistance and support, while the students gain valuable experience in the field.” Equipment for both the lab at the port and a student training lab on campus, was provided by a $250,000 grant from the New York State Dept. of Agriculture. Students who participate are part of SUNY Oswego’s new Microcredentialing Program for grain testing and analysis, which makes students more marketable and competitive when seeking top jobs in their field.
“Our handling system can unload a truckload of grain (35,000 lbs.) in less than a minute, and it can load a railcar (100 tons of grain) in just eight minutes.,” Scriber said. “This reduced unloading time allows farmers the ability to flow more grain into the facility.”
Farmers from Oswego County and Central New York make deliveries to the export center each year.
“The DeLong Co. (www.delongcompany.com) recently acquired a grain elevator facility in Sangerfield, NY and it owns grain elevators in Geneva, Manchester, and Clifton Springs,” said Greg Creeden, DeLong’s NY manager. “In addition, they lease storage space in York, Phelps, and now, Oswego. Since 1913, The Delong Co., Inc. has established itself as a pioneer in the agricultural industry, providing best-in-class grain trading, exports, agronomy, seed, crop insurance, transportation, and wholesale services across the United States. With a deep-rooted commitment to our customers and communities, we continue to build on our legacy of integrity, family, innovation, growth and quality.”
The Port of Oswego’s strategic location at the crossroads of the Northeastern North American shipping market, puts them less than 350 miles from 60 million people.
The port is home to 14 companies that utilize the harbor for domestic and international operations, as well as the Oswego Marina, the Goble Marina, H. Lee White Marine Museum, and historic maritime district. The port supports nearly 120 vessels, allowing more than one million tons of cargo to pass through the port on an annual basis. For more information, visit www.portoswego.com
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