Farms and Residential Neighbors

I saw the following two stories this week and they kind of brought me back to an earlier time. While in high school and college I worked on a farm in Hadley. Over the years some neighboring farms were converted to residential developments (some using Chapter 40B). These developments created conflicts for the remaining farmers as the new neighbors had many complaints. They were concerned with what we were spraying on the farms. They were concerned about the early and late hours of the farm operations. They did not like the dust that was kicked up during the spring and fall. They did not like the 7 day a week operations. It was quite clear that the proximity of the houses to the active farm operations were not a "marraige made in heaven."

So, I have to agree with the farmers in New country dwellers worry some regional farmers I believe that they are right. The new neighbors will be complaining about the farm operations. You only need to look at this more nearby story, Town To Keep Eye On Pigs' Stinky Situation, the farm operation has expanded, in the words of the neighbors. If you Google this farm, Krochmal Farm, and look at the cached pages (it looks like the farm took down its website) you find that the farm has been in existence for a hundred years. The houses clearly came to them.

Why am I going on about this? It simply once again points out that, without a comprehensive land use policy at all levels, we will continue to promote land conflicts. Chapter 40B, the Land Use Partnership Act and many other state growth policies conflict with our state's agricultural history and our needs to protect our farms and open spaces.