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| | The Depression year of 1929 had a severe impact on many American families.
Dante Fini, 39, had been a busy mason for most of his adult life. However, he
could not find any work because of the building slow-down, which was a forerunner
of the impending economic disaster. His 18- year- old
son, Philip, was also unemployed at this time.
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Mary Fini, wife of Dante
Fini, standing in front of the first farm stand circa 1935. This stand
was located at 39 River Street in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
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In an effort to support a rather large family, they decided to sell some of
the harvest of their 3+ acre garden in Agawam, Mass. Thus, "Fini & Son
Market Garden" was formed. Throughout the depression years of the 1930's,
they struggled to build a successful farming operation. The first
few years they had no trucks or tractors, only horses. A used truck was bought in
1935; a used tractor a year later. In 1939, their first new tractor was b ought
for $750. |
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This tractor is still in operation around the
farm. In 1939, the first glass greenhouse was built... and Philip's son, Albert,
was born.
The war years of the early 1940's was a boon to the agricultural industry and
land, trucks, and additional tractors were bought. Fini's Market Garden was
well on its way to be the leading sweet corn producer in Western Massachusetts.
In 1960, the present farm on James Street in Feeding Hills was purchased and
plastic greenhouses were built shortly thereafter. In
1972, Al Fini took over management of the family business after his father
suffered a heart attack. Since
that time, more greenhouses have been added (totaling 15), Al's son Paul
became head grower and greenhouse supervisor, and our production
department expanded. We operate two retail stores where our plants are
sold. |
Phillip
Fini tends to the sweet corn crop at
the James Street Farm, early 1980's.
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Three
generations of the Fini
family working side-by-side in a greenhouse on James Street in the early
1980's. From left: Al, Paul, and Phillip. |
In 1979, the decision was
made to diversify into interior plant leasing and maintenance because a
growing market was foreseen and we desired additional sources of
stabilized income. The Interior
Plantscape Division has been through many changes since its inception, but
has experienced continued growth. It has proven to be a successful
year-round endeavor for us. We have numerous long-time clients that can
attest to our professionalism. |
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