AMES – Bringing visitors to the farm can be a great way to educate others about farm life, and it’s a vital part of the agri-tourism and agro-entertainment industries.

However, there are important risk management considerations for those involved with visitors to the farm. To help educate farmers about the risks and how to prepare, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers free online training that covers the types of issues these farmers might face.

The “Farmer Course with On-Site Visitors” lasts six hours and consists of seven modules that can be taken individually or simultaneously. The training is in partnership with North Central Extension Risk Management Education.

The presenters are extension and financial services experts from the Iowa Farm Bureau. Topics include:

– Loss control and identification of dangers in the entertainment.

– Beyond the small print: consideration of legal risks for specialized producers.

– Training in emergency preparedness on the farm.

– Protect animals and humans against biosecurity risks.

– Best practices in food safety: food, farms and consumers.

– Food licenses for value-added products.

– Safety of pesticides.

“The purpose of the course is to provide information and tools to mitigate the risks that arise when you open your farm to visitors,” said Kendra Meyer, Education Specialist for ISU Extension and Outreach, Farm, Food and Enterprise. Development.

The course provides landowners with a checklist of risk management considerations and discusses tools to reduce legal exposure. Participants are encouraged to consult legal counsel when implementing their strategies.

“Farmers who open their property to visitors are doing a great public service,” said Kristine Tidgren, director of the Iowa State Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation, and Leonard Dolezal Chair in Agricultural Law. “They must, however, make sure that they protect themselves from unexpected liability.”

For more information, Meyer can be contacted at (515) 294-9483 or [email protected]