[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 129 (Monday, September 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2253-E2254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO FAMILY FARMS LIKE J & J FARM IN AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN W. OLVER

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 14, 2009

  Mr. OLVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the 
continuing importance of family farming in America, well exemplified in 
my district by J & J Farm of Amherst, which marks its 100th anniversary 
this year, the same year of the 250th anniversary of the Town of 
Amherst. Family farming is a long and proud tradition in Massachusetts, 
and the positive community impact of these farms is as vital as ever. 
Family farms help maintain economically and socially vibrant rural 
communities. They serve to conserve and enhance our invaluable soil, 
water and wildlife habitat for future generations. Most important of 
all, they provide healthy, high-quality food for American families.
  Because of the tremendous importance of family farms and rural 
communities to our nation and to western Massachusetts in particular, 
it is fitting that we should recognize the many years of hard work of 
farm proprietors, like the Waskiewicz family of J & J Farm.
  Dimetro and Victoria Waskiewicz immigrated from southern Poland in 
1895. Dimetro worked as a farm laborer in the North Amherst area for 
several years. By 1909 he had saved enough money to purchase a farm on 
Meadow Street in North Amherst from the Spear family. The original farm 
consisted of 40 acres with the Mill River running through the east side 
of the farm. Ten years later another 40 acres were added. Milk, tobacco 
and onions were the farm's main products.
  Dimetro died at the early age of 43. His two eldest sons bought the 
farm from Victoria in 1930. Joseph and John Waskiewicz began the farm 
as it is now known, J & J Farm. Joe's son Joseph took over operations 
following John's retirement in 1970. Cucumbers, potatoes and milk 
became their main crops. Joseph Sr. retired in 1995 at the age of 86. 
The farm is now in its fourth generation: Joseph III and Michael now 
operate the farm with their father.
  The past century has brought floods, hurricanes and droughts, but 
despite hardships and market changes the farm has continued to provide 
area residents with fresh produce and dairy products. J & J Farm is the 
last remaining dairy farm in Amherst. The farm operates a seasonal 
roadside stand that supplements the dairy products with sweet corn, 
another specialty.
  We must sustain our rural communities so that future generations of 
family farmers, like the Waskiewicz family, will enjoy the dignity of a 
good day's work and the reward of seeing the tangible yield of their 
labors with the land and with livestock. It is my hope that future 
generations will maintain the tradition of family farming that the 
Waskiewicz family built at J & J Farm, and that America will sustain 
its family farms through the 21st century and beyond.

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