Running an agritourism business can be a fantastic way to connect people to farm life, generate extra income, and educate the public.
But opening your farm to visitors also means you’ll need a plan for managing risks, protecting your assets, and ensuring the safety of everyone who steps foot on your land.
Here’s a straightforward guide on handling those responsibilities with real-world examples.
1. Identify Potential Risks on Your Farm And Minimize It
The first step to managing risk is knowing where it exists. In agritourism, risks can range from visitor injuries to property damage and even food safety issues if you’re offering farm-fresh food.
Walk through your farm from a visitor’s perspective to look for hazards, and think about any activity that could lead to accidents.
Example: Suppose you have a pond on your property. Kids (or even adults) may be tempted to get close to the water, creating a risk of drowning or injury.
Fencing around the pond or clear signage warning visitors to stay back can prevent accidents and minimize liability.
2. Set Up Safety Signage
Signage is essential. Clear, visible signs help remind visitors of potential dangers, especially when it comes to machinery, animals, or off-limits areas.
This also includes rules for activities like hayrides, petting zoos, and farm tours.
Example: If you operate a corn maze during the fall season, posting signs at the entrance that outline maze rules—such as no running, no climbing on the corn stalks, and a reminder to stay on marked paths—can help prevent injuries and ensure visitors know what’s expected.
3. Offer Visitor Safety Training (Especially for Staff)
Training both your team and your visitors is crucial.
If you’re hosting activities such as horseback riding, petting zoo interactions, or tractor rides, ensure your staff knows how to safely guide guests and enforce safety procedures.
You may even consider offering short safety briefings to guests before beginning activities.
Example: For a petting zoo, brief your staff on how to interact with animals safely and communicate those expectations to guests.
Let visitors know they should use hand sanitizer afterward, and make sure staff is aware of any signs that animals are stressed or need a break from attention.
4. Have Liability Waivers for Certain Activities
Waivers can provide an extra layer of protection by informing visitors of the potential risks associated with specific activities and, in some cases, limiting your liability if an accident occurs.
It’s wise to consult with a legal expert to ensure your waivers cover everything they need to and that they’re easy for visitors to understand.
Example: If you’re offering horseback riding or animal interaction activities, a waiver can outline the risks, such as the possibility of falling off a horse or being accidentally scratched by an animal.
While this won’t prevent injuries, it lets visitors acknowledge that they’re participating in activities at their own risk.
5. Set Up Farm Liability Insurance
Insurance is essential for covering any accidents, injuries, or property damage that could arise on your property.
Farm liability insurance specific to agritourism will protect you in case a visitor is injured, an animal damages property, or unexpected weather damages your setup during an event. This type of insurance may also cover legal costs if a lawsuit arises.
Example: If a visitor slips on a wet barn floor and gets injured, insurance can cover their medical costs and protect you from paying out-of-pocket for legal fees.
6. Create Clear Policies and Procedures
Policies help set boundaries for your business, keeping both staff and visitors on the same page.
Outline guidelines for visitor interactions, event setups, and general farm behavior in a handbook. This also applies to emergency procedures for events like bad weather or lost children.
Example: For a “pick-your-own” apple orchard, have a policy that specifies where visitors can walk, the rules for picking fruit, and the need to pay for what they pick.
If there’s a sudden storm, staff should have a protocol to move visitors to shelter and wait for the weather to clear.
7. Maintain Farm Equipment and Facilities Regularly
Ensure that all equipment and facilities are well-maintained and inspected for potential hazards. This includes checking fences, maintaining barns and paths, and ensuring farm machinery is stored securely.
Example: If you offer tractor rides as part of the farm experience, make sure your tractor is serviced regularly to prevent breakdowns.
Clear paths or gravel walkways can also prevent visitors from slipping, especially after rainy weather.
8. Educate Visitors on Proper Animal Etiquette
If animals are part of your agritourism setup, it’s important to inform guests about how to interact safely with them.
This means providing guidance on not startling animals, handling them gently, and understanding that certain animals may be off-limits.
Example: At a petting zoo, post signs reminding visitors not to feed animals without permission, to avoid reaching over fences, and to wash their hands after petting animals.
You can also have staff supervise the interactions to step in if any animals seem stressed.
9. Limit Access to Restricted Areas
There may be parts of the farm, like machinery storage areas, fertilizer zones, or animal feeding spots, that you don’t want visitors to access.
Clearly mark these areas as restricted and consider barriers or even guided paths that prevent visitors from wandering into unsafe zones.
Example: If you have areas with sharp equipment like saws, power tools, or other machinery, make these areas off-limits and clearly mark them with “Authorized Personnel Only” signs.
Consider using temporary fencing or ropes to visually guide visitors away from restricted zones. This simple act can help to minimize lots of risks in the farm.
10. Have an Emergency Response Plan
No matter how prepared you are, emergencies happen. Create a response plan that includes first aid stations, fire safety, and steps for evacuations if needed.
Make sure staff members know their roles in emergencies and have the plan posted in visible locations.
Example: Keep first aid kits available around the farm, and train staff on CPR and basic first aid. Post evacuation plans in public areas, and if possible, make announcements about exits and safety points during events.
Conclusion: Building a Safer Agritourism Experience
Managing risks in agritourism may seem like a daunting task, but by identifying potential hazards and setting up clear policies, signage, and insurance, you can protect both your farm and your visitors.
Simple steps, such as regular maintenance, waiver use, and restricted area signage, create a safer, more enjoyable experience for everyone.
Remember, each safety measure you take builds trust and helps establish your farm as a safe and reliable place to visit.
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