Town of Wendell, Massachusetts

Wendell’s Agricultural Commission began in 2006 with 3 members: Linda Hickman, Bill Facey, and Annie Diemand. Over the years, other members included Sharon Gensler and Jim Dunn. At present, the five members are Linda Hickman, Bill Facey, Laurel Facey, Jenny Caron and Wanita Sears with Anne Diemand as alternate.

In February of 2007, the Agricultural Commission (AgCom) hosted an informational meeting on the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). Two years of discussions on a Right-to-Farm bylaw culminated in public hearings in 2009 and the passage of the bylaw at town meeting.

In 2010, a series of films related to farming were held early in the year in the Herrick Room of the Wendell Library which were well-received, and in July, a Blueberry Festival was held at the Deja Brew which we hope to do annually.

In 2011, we co-sponsored the showing of "Gasland' with the Energy Committee in the Herrick meeting room in January, and in March, Dan Conlon showed "A Day in the Life of a Honeybee Farm" and discussed beekeeping.  The Massachusetts Association of Ag Commissions (MAAC) was joined and the annual Western Mass. conference in Deerfield was attended. Discussion of state regulations as they affect the Diemand Farm occurred at several meetings.