Being a past deputy fire chief in a small Massachusetts town I can tell you that Mass plain doesn't want any burning at all, Not all towns are allowed to burn, and the few that are, the restrictions are so hard it almost isn't worth getting involved in. The local fire dpts take a lot of heat over this and unfortunately, they have nothing to do with it,. The state dictates January and February, sometimes extending the season, and the state tells the local fire dpt if they can or cannot issue a permit on any given day. Each fire dpt is required to check in and get permission for the day. We have a lady that operates the Charlton fire tower, who is real sharp. Some years ago, she toned me out claiming a person was burning tires,.. SHe was within 50 ft of the fire, and yes, under the brush the guy was hiding tires,... THese tower people know the color of each smoke and can get as I said, within 50 ft. Charlton tower by air miles was 7 miles away,,, 13 or so by car,., We lost burning priviledges for the remainder of the week because I wrote the guy up. If I didn't write him up, the town would have permanently loss burning rights... There is no such thing as a farmer being exempt, or other exemption that applies.