George and Joe Kristoff merged seven farm sites into one which became one of the biggest pig farms in New England.  Our picture is of Happy Hollow, the one farm site best known as “the pig farm”.  In the 1950’s and 1960’s at any given time there would be 5,000 to 10,000 pigs housed on the farm, there were more pigs in Sterling than people.

The business was founded prior to World War II.  Kristoff Brothers collected garbage from the city of Boston and all the surrounding communities.  In 1953 all garbage had to be cooked.  Carling Brewery installed huge vats at the farm for cooking.  The 800 acre farm raised corn and pastured 200 head of cattle.  Milk went out to be processed, but skim milk was returned to feed the pigs.  That was when cream was pure and before skim milk was popular to drink.  300 tons of squash was raised for Table Talk Pies and in return the waste of pie making was returned to feed the pigs.  Bread from Nissen Bakery went to feed the pits.  Van Brode cereals went to feed the pigs as well.

The pig farm had a task force of 29.  One person just mended fence.  They employed a Veterinarian full time.  Pigs were vaccinated and given shots to keep them healthy.  Kristoff Brothers had the #1 permit in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  This was one of the biggest agricultural industries.  They were  honest farmers doing everything by the book.  Triple deck trailers would load up and drive mainly to Pennsylvania and Virginia.  Ironically, 90 percent of the time Virginia Baked Hams that were purchased in the grocery store were born and raised in Sterling.  When Interstate 190 went thru the heart of the farm was broken as was those of honest hard working men.