Krochmal Farms started as a family farm and continues to be a family farm. The farm dates back to the turn of the century, growing produce and raising livestock. Over the years the farm has decreased its number of livestock, yes, decreased. The only major changes are the increased number of new dwellings located next to the farm.

The Cave family, who owns and lives on the farm, has three generations involved in the farm’s day to day                                John Krochmal 1977 "Fall Harvest" operations. This includes feeding of livestock, planting and helping with the Pumpkin Fest in the fall. The Caves had all their children and grandchildren in the Tewksbury school system. Krochmal Farms, the Caves, are proud standing members of the farming and agricultural community for over sixty years.                                                                                                      

Getting to the point, in the past three years odor complaints from nearby neighbors had surfaced. A website was formed by one neighbor, who bought their house next to the farm in 2005. Apparently they did not know there was an active farm next door.

The website is based on one man’s rant of falsehoods. To think the farm does not have an open ear to its neighborhood concerns is purely untrue.

A new barn was built a few years ago to house pigs. This improvement was not an expansion, simply modernizing. The farm is operating far below their permitted capacity. Animals were moved from the older and antiquated “on ground” structure, to a barn which keeps the animals clean and healthy. The farm has a building and occupancy permit for this building.

Krochmal Farms is subject to a once a month inspection from the state. This does not include the frequent visits by the town’s health department. The farm is in full compliance with its permits.

The website in opposition to the farm uses the term “Factory Farm” located on a “Toxic Waste Dump Site” These scare tactics are not informational, but just plain slander. The people of Tewksbury have been reading about the Roco’s saga in the news papers for years and to link the farm with this subject is defamatory and reckless.

The farm has changed with the times; a manure management plan is in place. Movement of manure is done during the week, during working hours on an as needed basis. Manure is one of the byproducts of a farm that has livestock, there are certain “farm smells” associated with it. Any farm with livestock has this smell, its part of the farm life.

In October the Town of Tewksbury has the special town meeting, included is an article for “Home Rule Petition” This article has its roots to a handful of neighbors bordering the farm. The article basically is calling for town involvement in the farm activities. The farm is already under the guise of various boards with in the town, including several state departments and the federal government. The farm has chosen to keep the neighbors in mind first when planning farm activities. Relying on state laws governing the “Right to Farm” is a farm option, but trying to be a good neighbor is the number one focus.

Article #1 for Home Rule Petition is a violation of the farms rights under state and federal law. The taxpayers of the town of Tewksbury should be informed that the farm is working with the town to keep communication open which allows its neighbors quiet enjoyment of their property. Battling in a courtroom with town council over farm issues is not the answer and not helping your tax dollars. Vote “NO” on Article #1!

Open space is rare these days. Save the Farm!