Agritourism Basics

What counts as agritourism?

The term covers many activities: farm stays, tours, pick your own fields, corn mazes, farm dinners, classes, seasonal festivals and events. What they share is that people come to your farm, rather than you taking your products to them.

Some of these need little more than a gate and a sign, and others need parking, restrooms, insurance and staff. Start with the simplest activity that fits your farm and your temperament.

Not every farm should add visitors. If your farm is small, remote or already stretched for time, the better choice may be to sell products elsewhere and keep the farm quiet.

• Farm stays and bed and breakfast style lodging.
• Seasonal festivals and pick your own days.
• Classes, school visits and guided tours.

Why do farms add visitors?

Reasons include extra income in slow seasons, a way to sell products at retail value, and a chance to explain farming to neighbors. Some families add visitors to give the next generation a role in the business.

Be honest about the costs as well. Visitors need your time, attention and patience, and they arrive on weekends and holidays when you might otherwise rest or catch up on work.

• Extra income is not guaranteed and may be seasonal.
• Hosting takes planning, cleanup and communication.
• Your family may feel the effect of strangers on the property.

What are the safety and liability questions?

A farm is a working place with machinery, animals, water, uneven ground and chemicals. Visitors, especially children, are not used to these hazards, and you are responsible for thinking about them in advance.

Talk with your insurance agent before opening to the public, because standard farm policies may not cover visitors the way you expect. Ask about liability coverage, and ask your state department of agriculture and your county extension office whether your state has an agritourism liability law or warning sign requirement. Rules differ widely.

Visitors also need clear warnings, not only fences. Think about signs at the gate, a short talk at arrival and a way for staff to stop an unsafe action quickly. Write down your rules, even if only for your own family.

• Write down your visitor rules and post them.
• Train family and helpers on what to do in an emergency.

What zoning and permit rules might apply?

Counties and townships may regulate parking, signs, traffic, events, food service, restrooms and structures on agricultural land. A use that is allowed on one farm may need a permit on another.

Call your county planning or zoning office early, describe what you plan, and ask which permits are needed. Also ask your county health department about food, water and restroom rules, and your neighbors about concerns, because a good relationship with them matters.

Septic systems, wells and water supplies serve a limited number of people. Ask your county health department how added visitors affect your system and whether you need extra restrooms or handwashing stations.

How should you plan the visitor experience?

Walk the visit as a stranger would: where do they park, where do they check in, where do they wash their hands, and where must they not go. Mark off areas that are unsafe and keep animals and equipment out of public routes.

Plan how many people you can host at once, who watches the children, and what happens in bad weather. A smaller, well run visit beats a crowded one.

Think about accessibility as well. Smooth paths, a place to sit and a clear plan for visitors who use wheelchairs or walkers make the day better for everyone, and your county or state office can explain what rules may apply.

• Post clear rules in plain language.
• Keep a first aid kit and a working phone nearby.
• Have a plan for an emergency and know the address to give a dispatcher.

How do you test the idea?

Try one small event before building anything. A single open farm day with a few activities tells you about demand, staffing needs and how you feel about hosting.

Keep careful records of costs and income, including your own time. After the test, decide whether to grow, change or stop.

Be willing to stop. If the test shows that the work outweighs the pay, that is a useful result and not a failure.

Where can you get help?

Many states and universities have agritourism programs, and your county extension office can point you toward local ones. Other farms that already host visitors are often glad to share what they have learned.

Treat their advice as a guide, not a rulebook, and confirm legal and insurance questions with the right professional in your own state.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.