Milwaukee, WI, August 20, 2024 - On August 19, 2024, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack visited Central Standard Distillery Crafthouse & Kitchen to host an Investing in America Townhall that included highlighting The DeLong Co., Inc. and acknowledging the company’s role in the USDA’s historic Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative. This partnership is driving new revenue opportunities for producers engaged in sustainable, climate-smart agriculture.

The DeLong Co., Inc.’s “Grown Climate Smart” project is one of around 140 groundbreaking initiatives funded by the USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. This project provides per acre incentives to farmers in several states, while also aiming to connect businesses and consumers with sustainable, climate-smart products, offering a transparent link to locally sourced grains and ingredients that meet rigorous environmental standards.

“USDA is excited to have innovative and forward-thinking partners like DeLong as a key part of our Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities effort,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Thanks to this partnership with DeLong, more producers in Wisconsin and in ten other states are engaging in climate-smart agricultural practices and accessing new markets and revenue for their commodities. American producers are leading the world in climate-smart agriculture, and projects like these are making that possible.”

The USDA’s $3 billion investment in the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities is designed to enhance and expand markets for products developed through climate-smart practices. The overarching goal is to bolster the global competitiveness of U.S. agriculture, positioning American farmers as leaders in climate solutions through voluntary, market-driven initiatives.

The DeLong Co., Inc. is a family-owned and operated enterprise based in Clinton, Wisconsin with 39 grain, export, agronomy and seed locations throughout the United States. In 2023, the “Grown Climate Smart” project enrolled over 170 growers from 7 different states, covering a total of 235,000+ acres dedicated to sustainable farming practices. Through direct incentive payments on a per acre basis, growers have been incentivized to continue or start implementing cover crops, reduced or no-till, nutrient management plans, and windbreak establishment or renovations.

Matt Woods, General Manager for The DeLong Co.’s Climate-Smart Commodity initiative, commented on the project’s success, stating, “We are proud of the milestones achieved through the Grown Climate Smart initiative, not only on the farm level but in the consumer marketplace as well. We’re seeing a growing recognition of the Grown Climate Smart brand that marks a significant shift toward a preference for sustainably produced products and recognizing the environmental stewardship taking place in the countryside.

The Grown Climate Smart logo is now prominently featured on products from several companies, including Central Standard Distillery, Kennay Farms Distilling, Perlick Distillery, Valentine Distilling, and Wahoo Distillery. These products, available throughout Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Indiana, signal a strong commitment to sustainability.

About The DeLong Co., Inc.
Founded in 1913, The DeLong Co., Inc. has been a leader in the agricultural industry, providing top-tier services in grain trading, exports, agronomy, seed, crop insurance, transportation, and wholesale. Operating 39 facilities nationwide, the company has remained family-owned for six generations, upholding a legacy of integrity, innovation, and community commitment. For more information, visit delongcompany.com.

About Grown Climate Smart
An environmentally sustainable farming practice program and brand that operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of The DeLong Co., Inc. Grown Climate Smart leads the way in climate smart agriculture by supporting environmentally responsible farming practices that offer consumers a way to champion sustainably grown products.

About Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities
By supporting a diverse range of producers and operation types, USDA and its partners are innovating a number of climate-smart solutions that impact numerous natural resource concerns while also strengthening rural economies by diversifying revenue streams. To learn more about Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities projects, visit the project dashboard. Interested producers can learn more about projects in their state by commodity type and climate-smart practice implementation and can access project sign-ups via the site.