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Agritourism

Agricultural Directional Signage Program

Fact Sheet and Instructions

What is an Agricultural Directional Sign?

An agricultural directional sign is a special highway sign that directs motorists to farms that are open to the public, but not located on state highways. These blue signs feature the "Massachusetts grown...and fresher!" logo, several icons for products the farm produces, a directional arrow and the name of the farm. If your farm is not in a high-visibility location, an agricultural directional sign can help increase business.

Who is eligible to get an Agricultural Directional Sign?

Only farm operations that grow on-site a majority of the products they sell are eligible for the ag signage program. Farms must be primarily engaged in agriculture as a business and have regular hours of operation, either seasonally or year-round. Only on-farm farmstands are eligible. Please read the Criteria sheet for full details.

Where can the signs be erected?

Directional signs are allowed only on non-limited access state roadways. In other words, these signs are not allowed on major highways with limited exit and entrance ramps. They are also not allowed on town roadways. Please read the Criteria sheet for more details. Your Mass. Highway Department District Office will determine final approval for a specific location.

Who pays for the sign and how much does it cost?

The entire cost of the sign is paid by the farmer. The Mass. Highway Department charges a $250 fee per sign. The cost of fabricating the sign will vary but may cost between $500 - $800 per sign.

How do I get an Agricultural Directional Sign?

First please read the Agricultural Directional Sign Criteria carefully to determine if you might be eligible for the program. Also read the General Information on Tourist Oriented Directional Signs.

Once we receive your application, the Department of Food and Agriculture will certify whether you are eligible to use the product icons and the "Massachusetts grown...and fresher!" logo. We will then forward your application to the Mass. Highway Department.

When you receive a letter of approval from the highway department for the location, you may have the signs fabricated. If you would like to apply to the program, follow the instructions below.

Instructions

1. Complete and sign the "Agricultural Directional Sign Permit Application"

2. Complete the "Application for Tourist Oriented Directional (TOD) Sign."

3. Read and sign the page titled "Division of Expense."

4. Return the following items to the Department of Food and Agriculture:

• Agricultural Directional Sign Permit Application form
• Tourist Oriented Directional Sign Application form
• The Division of Work page
• The signed Division of Expense page
• The page titled "This Page for Office Use Only" (do not complete)

Return to:

Richard LeBlanc
Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources
251 Causeway Street, Suite 500
Boston, MA 02114-2151

5. When you receive an approval letter from the Mass. Highway Department, you may order your sign from one of the approved fabricators. 6. The Mass. Highway Department fee must be paid at the time the signs are delivered to the highway department.

Important:

• All documents must be originals, faxes are not acceptable.
• Only signs approved by the Department of Food and Agriculture are allowed to use the commodity symbols and the "Massachusetts grown and fresher!" logo.
• Do not have signs fabricated until you receive a letter of approval from Massachusetts Highway Department
• An agricultural directional sign is usually composed of two signs: the farm name sign, and the symbol sign. If you wish to have the name of your farm on the sign, you must have both signs produced.
• Farm name sign may include seasons if applicable. For example: "XYZ FARM ( May - Oct.)"

On this page:

• What is an Agricultural Directional Sign?

• Who is eligible to get a sign?

• Where can the signs be erected?

• Who pays for the sign and how much does it cost?

• How do I get an Agricultural Directional Sign?

• Instructions for applying to the program

More information:

• Program Criteria

• Download the complete Information and Application Packet [PDF]