Farm Energy Discount Program

The Farm Energy Discount Program provides discounts on electricity and natural gas bills of 10% to eligible entities engaged in production agriculture. Subject to certification by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources persons or corporations determined to be principally and substantially engaged in the business of production agriculture or farming for an ultimate commercial purpose will, upon written application, be eligible for a ten percent discount on rates.

Persons or corporations with 75 or more full time employees in January of the application year will not be eligible for nor qualify for the Farm Discount. Full time employees shall not include any seasonal or part-time workers.

Please note that the discount will not be available until an application is filed and MDAR certifies eligibility to your energy supplier. Each application will be considered on the basis of the information contained therein. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you provide the Department with as much detail as possible.

To apply please download the Application Form: Farm Energy Discount Application Form: Farm Energy Discount Application Form

Upon determination that the applicant qualifies for the Farm Discount, MDAR will certify to the appropriate power supplier (either electricity or natural gas) that the applicant meets the requirements for the Farm Discount. The discount is not available for propane or fuel oil accounts.

Participation Renewals

Participation in the Program will be automatically renewed annually unless there are any changes to accounts. If there have been any changes to energy account(s), participants must notify the Department. Current participants can also review their account information online to ensure its accuracy. Using their unique User Name and Password recently mailed out by the Department, current participants can access the information at the following website: Farm Energy Discount Account Information

Service Provider: 
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR)
Contact:
Linda Demirjian
(617) 626-1733
Frequency: 
Yearly
Cost: 
Paid
Counties Served: 
Barnstable
Berkshire
Bristol
Dukes
Essex
Franklin
Hampden
Hampshire
Middlesex
Nantucket
Norfolk
Plymouth
Suffolk
Worcester
Resource Type: 
Grants
Resource Category: 
Energy
Financial
Enterprise Type: 
Compost
Dairy
Floriculture
Forest Products
Grains
Greenhouse Production
Hay
Livestock
Nursery
Orchard
Poultry
Sugaring
Vegetable Crops
Skill Level: 
New to farming
Farmer start up
Established farmer