Opening Your Farm to Visitors and Controlling for Liability

From farm dinners to CSA pick-ups, and from Airbnb to educational programs, you might open your farm to friends, neighbors, and even tourists. As you welcome visitors to your farm, you need to be ready to handle the myriad of risks that they bring with them. Join us to receive practical advice from an agritourism expert, an insurance agent, and an attorney. Each will provide you with tools to prepare for the worst and enjoy the best.

Presenters: Attorney Mary Rose Scozzafava; Stuart Farnham, AFIS Vice President of Frazer Insurance Agency, Inc.; Lisa Chase, University of Vermont Agritourism Expert

Exenciones de responsabilidad para actividades agrícolas dentro de la finca

Las fincas frecuentemente son anfitrionas de actividades que atraen visitas a la finca, como visitas de escuelas a la finca, días de voluntariado y agroturismo. Dichos eventos ofrecen oportunidades valorables para incrementar ingresos y hacer crecer el alcance al público sobre la finca. Pero, los accidentes pasan — particularmente a los visitantes que no están familiarizados con los peligros que generalmente se encuentran en una finca. A los agricultores frecuentemente se les aconseja que pidan a sus visitantes que firmen un documento de exención de responsabilidad. Pero ¿Cómo es que un documento de exención de responsabilidad puede reducir la responsabilidad legal de una finca? ¿Pueden reducir el riesgo de responsabilidad de la finca y posibles demandas en contra de la finca si un visitante tiene un accidente? Esta guía legal discute cómo utilizar los documentos de exención de responsabilidad, lo que éstos pueden lograr, y qué debe incluirse en un documento de exención de responsabilidad bien redactado.

Liability Waivers for On-Farm Activities

Farms often host activities that bring visitors onto the farm, such as school farm visits, volunteer days or agritourism. Such events offer valuable opportunities to increase income and raise awareness of the farm. But, accidents happen — particularly to visitors unfamiliar with hazards typically found on a farm.  Farmers frequently are advised to have visitors sign liability waivers. But how can a liability waiver reduce a farm’s legal responsibility?  Can they reduce the farm’s risk of liability and potential lawsuits against the farm if a visitor is injured? This legal guide discusses how to use liability waivers, what they can accomplish and what to include in a well-drafted liability waiver.