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For the past two years, the OFBF Self-Help Electric Program has been open only to residential rate customers. Effective immediately, the program is open to both residential and commercial customers, according to Dale Arnold, OFBF director of energy services.

The Self-Help Electric Program can offer savings to more farms, greenhouses, grain elevators and small businesses such as service stations, markets and restaurants in rural, urban and suburban areas that use a commercial electric rate, Arnold said.

The program is provided through FirstEnergy Solutions Corporation for members served by Toledo Edison, Ohio Edison and The (Cleveland) Illuminating Company. Farm Bureau members who participate in the Self-Help Electric Program will pay 4 percent less for electric supply.

"Probably the most difficult thing for people to understand is that, when they take advantage of our program, their supplier will change to First Energy Solutions," Arnold explained. "But the service and delivery of that electricity remains with their current company." That’s because your utility bill has two parts -- one for the actual cost of the product, which is where you can save through Farm Bureau’s self-help programs; and another part for the delivery of the utility service.

To enroll in the program, call FirstEnergy's Customer Care Team, 888-254-1464 and identify yourself as a Farm Bureau member with priority code 31597. Or you may enroll online, via the OFBF Web site, www.ofbf.org. Whether you call or when you visit the Web, have a copy of your most recent electric utility bill on hand to answer questions concerning your account and other data required for the enrollment process.

"Ohio Farm Bureau has a long history of working to create savings for members," Arnold said. "Our efforts in energy services are just another benefit of membership in Ohio Farm Bureau."