Sterman Masser Potato Farms forms Lykens Valley Grain
Sterman Masser, a Sacramento, Pa.-based potato farmer and partner member of Fresh Solutions Network, has formed the Lykens Valley Grain Company through its acquisition of the Upper Dauphin Grain Center from Perdue Agribusiness.
Sterman Masser will use the facility to store all the grain it grows and harvests, in addition to local farmers' wheat, corn and contracted soybeans, according to a news release.
"The addition of Lykens Valley Grain to our family of companies is part of our long-term vision and commitment to growth and development of quality potatoes,” President Dave Masser said in the release. “The acquisition helped to preserve jobs in the local community, [and will allow it to] continue to be a place for the valley’s local farmers to sell and store their wheat, corn and beans.”
The acquisition also “provided a great business opportunity for Sterman Masser Inc., which will eventually enable us to expand our potato-packing operations in Sacramento,” added Masser.
All former Perdue Agribusiness employees at the facility have been hired by Sterman Masser, Inc. to assist with grain center operations.
Sterman Masser says Lykens Valley Grain will offer soybean storage for this fall's harvest to farmers who choose to market and sell their soybeans to Perdue Agribusiness.
"[Lykens Valley Gran] will dedicate capacity for Perdue soybean storage and will be purchasing corn from local farmers who do not have drying capability or on-farm storage capacity," said Michal Pechart, chief operating officer of Sterman Masser. "Additionally, Sterman Masser Inc. will provide both fertilizer storage and a blending plant, along with logistic services for Perdue Agribusiness in the form of hauling soybeans to [its] Bainbridge, Pa., extrusion plant."
Future upgrades to the grain center include a significant increase in storage capacity for corn and beans, facility security, and increased staffing and hours of operation, the company added.
The acquisition will also assist in marketing cash crops such as wheat, corn and beans, says Jonathan Price, senior agronomist for Sterman Masser.
"Massers have been growing potatoes for eight generations in Schuylkill County. We practice a sustainable, three-year crop rotation that includes two off-season plantings of cover crops," said Price, explaining the environmental benefits of crop diversification.
"Diversifying the crops grown on our potato ground reduces the need for inputs to grow quality spuds,” he said. “Having three unique crops builds organic matter levels in the soil, as the unharvested crop cover returns nutrients and carbon to the soil — directly reducing the amount of fertilizer needed for the crop. Additionally, pest and disease cycles are interrupted when potatoes are not continuously grown in the same field."
"This acquisition is important to the process of growing better potatoes and reducing our carbon footprint, which is fundamental to the philosophy of the Fresh Solutions Network of independent, family-owned farms," said Kathleen Triou, president and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network. "Masser Potato Farms is investing in sustainable farming practices, regenerative farming, and strategic growth opportunities which will ultimately enable us to efficiently deliver the highest quality potato products to our retailers and their customers."
