WMass turkey farm surviving

WENDELL, Mass. (WWLP) - There are far fewer of them than there used to be, but western Massachusetts turkey farms remain a vital part of our Thanksgiving celebration.

Anne Diemand Vutti has never regretted expanding the family farm in Wendell into Diemand's Turkey Farm. Anne believes that a fresh turkey tastes better than a frozen turkey, and the fresh turkey is not that much more expensive.

“I've gone into a supermarket and looked at a frozen turkey for sale, it'll say something like 12 percent sodium water, so they're adding salt water and people are paying money for salt water,” she said.

Traditionally, her customers in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties have always preferred 15-18 pound birds.

Barbara Tiner of Leverett told 22News that she loves fresh turkeys. For her, it's not just the taste, but it fits in with her philosophy about food.

“Living in the Pioneer Valley, we're ahead of the curve in understanding and wanting information about where our food comes from and wanting to know the farmer. And I did some research into where there were tukeys in the area,” Tiner said.

In spite of the popularity of fresh turkeys, few turkey farms remain in western Massachusetts.
Anne Diemand Vutti said there are uncertainties when it comes to running a farm, such as the time a Coyote got in and destroyed hundreds of her turkeys.