Cochecton
Robert & Dennis Nearing Cochecton Mills
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Brothers Robert, left, and Dennis Nearing sit in the office of their plant.
ochecton Mills, Inc. is a family business that’s been in operation since 1956 when the present owners, brothers Robert and Dennis Nearing’s father bought an existing company with a partner. After serving in the military, Robert became a part of the family firm in 1965, and Dennis came onboard in 1967. The business has been expanding, increasing eightfold since 1970, according to the brothers. This success is partly due to having family always at the ready to help run it – both Robert and Dennis’s sons work in the business as well. “They can pretty much do everything in the business between them,” Dennis stated. The owners also praised their long term employees from the Swendsen family for their contributions. Elvin Swendsen worked as a bookkeeper for their dad, and now his children continue – Brad in sales, and Lori as a bookkeeper. The success hasn’t come easy. In 1974, Sullivan County had 154 dairy farms – in 2013 it has 23. In Wayne County, PA, where the brothers do a lot of business, the decline has also been large, although not as much as this side of the river, they noted. Cochecton Mills does business also in Orange, Delaware, and Ulster Counties in New York, in Susquehanna, Lackawanna, and Bradford counties in Pennsylvania, and in Sussex and some other counties in New Jersey. “We provide dairy and poultry feed, 2013
horse, pheasant, alpaca and swine feed as well as fertilizer, lime, seed corn, and grass seeds,” Dennis enumerated. Most sales are wholesale, but the farm store on the premises also sells farm tools and hardware, and a large selection of wildlife forage mixes. About being nominated, Robert who recently retired, commented, “We’re very honored we’ve been selected and we’re looking forward to the event. It’s the highlight of my retirement.” Dennis added, “We were hoping to be chosen after being here for 46 years.” The company has 24 full-time and two part-time employees from the surrounding area. “We’re the second largest employer in Cochecton,” Dennis concluded with pride.
We appreciate all of your contributions to the community
JOHN H. ESCHENBERG INC. Dennis, Raymond, Danny, Cathy
Sales and Service ESCH-126863
Story and Photo By Anya Tikka
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3965 Rt. 17B, Callicoon, N.Y. 12723
845-887-5350 P R I D E AWA R D S 1 3