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Agritourism Business Success
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The Business Times


Only 28% of Vets Say Britain Is Ready for Foot-and-Mouth. Is Your Farm Income Ready if the Gates Close?
Only 28% of UK vets say Britain is ready for foot-and-mouth. Here is how a visitor farm protects its income if the gates close.

Stephen Loke
9 min read


Thieves Emptied This Family's Farm Shop Overnight. The 9 Protections Every Farm That Welcomes Customers Needs Before Christmas
Thieves emptied a family farm shop near Uckfield. Here are nine protections every farm that welcomes customers needs before Christmas.

Stephen Loke
10 min read


Farm Field Trips: How to Turn Empty Weekday Mornings Into Busloads of Paying Children (and Bring Their Parents Back on Saturday)
Farm field trips fill dead weekday mornings with paying classes. Here is what 13 real farms charge per child, how teachers actually book, four curriculum-linked visit plans, and the safety and insurance questions to ask first.

Stephen Loke
19 min read


Agritourism: Tips for Managing Liability When Hosting Farm Animals
Update (October 2026): New World screwworm has reached a Texas game ranch. Read our 5-step screwworm biosecurity plan for farms with visitors. Agritourism has become a popular way for farm owners to generate additional income while sharing the experience of farm life with visitors. However, when it comes to hosting farm animals, there are important considerations to ensure both the safety of your guests and the protection of your business from liability. Managing liability is

Stephen Loke
8 min read


The $7.55 Million Petting Zoo: Why Your Farm Insurance May Not Pay a Dime When a Child Gets Sick (and the 5 Trapdoors to Close Before Your Next Visitor)
A Minnesota jury awarded one sick child $7.55 million after a farm petting zoo visit. Here is why many farm policies would not pay, the 5 coverage trapdoors to close, and the prevention system underwriters want to see.

Stephen Loke
16 min read


Thieves Stole 95% of a Family's Pumpkin Field Just Before Their Big Farm Event: 7 Security Moves Every Pick-Your-Own Farm Needs
Thieves took nearly 200 pumpkins from a first-year Illinois farm just before its big farm event. Here are the 7 security moves that protect your crop and cash, plus the law and insurance gaps most farms miss.

Stephen Loke
15 min read


Dogs Killed 16 Show Animals in One Weekend. Is Your Petting Farm Protected?
Dogs were blamed for killing 16 show animals in one Texas weekend. Here's how petting farms can keep loose dogs out, set a visitor pet policy and close the insurance gaps.

Stephen Loke
17 min read


Five Sick, One Petting Zoo Shut in the Middle of Pumpkin Season: What the Bengtson's E. coli Investigation Teaches Every Farm With Animals (Before the Health Department Calls You)
Five E. coli cases are being investigated for a possible link to Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm. No source is confirmed, but the lesson for every farm with animals is clear: the 3 non-negotiables for animal areas, and your first 72 hours if the health department calls.

Stephen Loke
12 min read


Only 3 in 10 Visitors Wash Their Hands After Touching Your Animals: The Petting Zoo Handwashing System That Keeps Children Healthy, Insurers Calm and Your Farm Open
Only about 3 in 10 petting zoo visitors wash their hands on the way out. Here is the handwashing and animal contact system, built on CDC guidance and real outbreak lessons, that keeps visitors healthy and your farm insurable.

Stephen Loke
25 min read


Is Your Barn Legal for Visitors? The 50-100-300 Rule, Ag Exemptions and Building Codes That Decide Whether Your Barn Makes Money or Lands You in Court
In March 2026, nearly 70 wedding guests fell through a barn floor in New Hampshire. The barn next door had an assembly permit. This one didn't. Here's how building codes, farm exemptions and occupancy limits decide whether your barn is legal for visitors.

Stephen Loke
18 min read


Does Your Petting Zoo Need a USDA Exhibitor License? The Farm Owner's Guide to APHIS Rules, Exemptions and the $120 Fix
A Michigan orchard with a free animal display fought the USDA for five years and lost. Here is when a farm petting zoo needs a USDA Class C exhibitor license, the exemptions that keep most small farms out, the $120 fee, the penalties and the insurance traps.

Stephen Loke
17 min read


10 Common Agritourism Safety Hazards and How to Address Them
As agritourism continues to grow in popularity, farms welcoming visitors face unique safety challenges. From petting zoos to hayrides, activities on a working farm come with potential risks that require careful management. By recognizing common hazards and implementing proper precautions, you can keep guests safe while creating an enjoyable experience. Here’s a guide to the top 10 agritourism safety hazards and how to address them effectively. Also read: How to Write a Risk M

Stephen Loke
6 min read


Protecting Your Visitors and Your Farm: Agritourism Safety Tips
Agritourism is a fantastic way to share the joys of farm life with visitors, allowing them to experience nature, animals, and agriculture up close. However, with guests on your property, safety is key. Ensuring everyone has a fun and safe experience requires a few essential safety tips and precautions. Here’s some agritourism safety tips and how to protect both your visitors and your farm while making agritourism enjoyable for everyone. Also read: How to Write a Risk Manageme

Stephen Loke
5 min read


Agritourism Success: How to Minimize Risks, Protect Your Farm, and Keep Visitors Safe
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. Also read: 10 Common Agritourism Safety Hazards and How to Address Them 1. Identi

Stephen Loke
5 min read


How to Design a Safe and Fun Agritourism Experience: Tips for Happy Visitors
Thinking about opening your farm to visitors? That’s amazing! Agritourism is a great way to share the beauty of farm life while creating fun experiences for guests. But, before you open the gates, there’s something super important you need to think about—safety. Don’t worry though! With a little planning, you can design an agritourism experience that’s both fun and safe, keeping your visitors happy and worry-free. Let’s dive into some practical, easy-to-understand tips on how

Stephen Loke
5 min read
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