Completed Project Report


Agritourism Safety and Liability: Updating Best Risk Management Practices for the COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Award Amount: $45,870
  • Regional Center: Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2021 Education Projects
  • Project Director: Lisa Chase
  • Email: lisa.chase@uvm.edu
  • Organization: University of Vermont Extension

Extension RME Regional Centers
Extension Risk Management Education Region Map

Project Overview

Consumer demand for local food and experiences on farms has led to rapid increases in agritourism and direct sales of agricultural products. Agritourism enterprises allow farms to diversify their operations while preserving the working landscape, creating additional jobs, and maintaining farming traditions. At the same time, the public learns about the importance of agriculture to a community’s economic base, quality of life, history, and culture. However, opening a farm to visitors increases liability exposure and requires safety measures for the non-farming public.

This project provided training and resources on agritourism safety and liability for farms and agricultural service providers. In total, the project team efforts reached 1,178 participants. This included 1,038 participants through webinars and workshops on farms, producer association meetings, and conference presentations; 137 sign deliveries to comply with Vermont Act 31 (limited liability statute for agritourism); and 67 farm visits with complete safety assessments.

As a result of project activities, 148 farms implemented actions to improve safety and liability on their farms. Of those farmers that implemented actions, 12 obtained or changed liability insurance coverage, 17 set up new or improved handwashing stations, and 144 posted signage related to safety and liability on their farms.


Number of Participants: 1178

Outcomes

Project Steps

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

There are no promotional materials available for this project.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

There are no educational materials available for this project.

REPORTS & EVALUATIONS

There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.

DELIVERY AREA

DESCRIBE ANY UNEXPECTED RESULTS OF THE PROJECT:

HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE THE PROJECT IF YOU WERE TO DO IT AGAIN?

WHAT WERE THE KEYS TO SUCCESS FOR YOUR PARTICIPANTS?

INDIVIDUAL STORIES / EXAMPLES OF SUCCESS / QUOTES