Documents & Forms:
Living Near a Farm Brochure - PDF
Right to Farm Brochure - PDF
Plymouth County Conservation Brochure - PDF
2011 Free Lecture Series "Healthier Agriculture" - PDF   
Community Garden Application - PDF

Commission Description:
The Marshfield Agricultural Committee was established in February 2006.  A few short years later it was reestablished as a Commission and has adopted the mission statement as follows:

“The duty of the Agricultural Commission is to represent the Town of Marshfield’s agricultural community and interests.

This commission shall serve as facilitator for encouraging the pursuit of agriculture in Marshfield: promoting agricultural based economic opportunities for the Town, act as mediators, advocates, educators and/or negotiators for the general public and in an advisory capacity on farming issues for established Town Committees and Departments: work for the preservation of both town owned and privately owned agricultural lands: and pursuing all initiatives appropriate to creating a sustainable agricultural community.”

Since that time the Commission has drafted and had approved at town meeting a “Right to Farm” bylaw.  The purpose of this by-law is to state with emphasis the Right to Farm accorded to all citizens of the Commonwealth under Article 97 of the Constitution, and all state statutes and regulations thereunder including but not limited to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A, Section 3, Paragraph 1: Chapter 90, Section 9: Chapter 111, Section 125A and Chapter 128, Section 1A.  We the citizens of Marshfield restate and republish these rights pursuant to the Towns authority conferred by Article 89 of the Articles of Amendment of the Massachusetts Constitution, (Home Rule Amendment)”.

This General By-Law encourages the pursuit of agriculture, promotes agriculture based economic opportunities, and protects farmlands within the Town of Marshfield by allowing agricultural uses and related activities to function with minimal conflict with abutters and Town agencies. The By-Law applies to all jurisdictional areas within the town. 

For a complete text of this by-law contact the Town Clerk for a copy of the Town By-Laws.

In addition the Agricultural Commission has sponsored a Community Garden located at Mounce Meadows off Union Street. It has been subdivided into 36 plots, in 20' x 30' and 20' x 30' sizes for use by anyone wishing to grown their own produce or flowers. This garden is organic (no chemical pesticides, fertilizers or herbicides)  See our link above for an application to join our gardeners. 

The commission has also established an annual educational lecture series, the first year was attended by an average of 96 people at each lecture. Information on the 2012 Series sill be available soon.

Marshfield Agricultural Commission

Members and Contact Information

Carleton Chandler
371 South River Street
P. O. Box 4
Marshfield, MA 02050
cchandler47@verizon.net
781-837-3724

Carolyn Housman
540 Union St
P. O. Box 86
No. Marshfield, MA 02059
Abijahfarm@yahoo.com
781-837-1433

Marta MacFarland
112 Statesman Terrace
Marshfield, MA 02050
781-837-6702
martamacf@verizon.net

Lorrie Gampp Dahlen
93 Summer Street
Marshfield, MA 02050
lorrieneal@verizon.net
781-834-4524

Annie Massed
496 Pine Street
Marshfield, MA 02050
annmarie.apple@gmail.com

Sarah Garretson Lowry
PO Box 1436
Marshfield, MA 02050
sgarretsonlowry@gmail.com

Karen Vieira
34 Carr Road
Marshfield, MA 02050
781-834-7548
kjsvieira@yahoo.com