From apple picking at a pick-your-own operation to pumpkin patches complete with hayrides and corn mazes, consumer interest in agritourism is high this time of year. Farm operators need to make sure that they are prepared not only for the additional traffic, but that their operations are prepared for safety, according to safety experts from Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

Consumers also need to be aware of safety precautions they can take to ensure they enjoy their farm visits without injury, says Eric Barrett, an Ohio State University Extension educator.

Keep Farm Visitors Safe

Agritourism is a significant and growing industry for farmers and a huge draw for consumers, Barrett says.

"Between wineries, fall pumpkin farms, pick-your-own farms and other types of agritourism operations, there are hundreds of thousands of visitors to Ohio's farms each year, many of whom may not be as familiar with farms or farm safety," he says. "And while hosting agritourism is a year-round activity for many farmers, October is typically the busiest time for the industry."

Starting in spring with fruits like strawberries and blueberries, continuing in summer with farmers markets, going all the way to wintertime cut-your-own Christmas trees, consumers need to be aware of the safety measures they can take to ensure a safe visit. And any farmer that has visitors to his or her operation also needs to think about the safety aspect, Barrett says.

"October tends to be the peak time of year with apple picking, pumpkin picking, people taking hayrides, going into corn mazes," he says. "So even something as simple as having hand washing stations, to warning people that there may be uneven ground in the pumpkin patches, to making sure little kids don't run off, consumers and farmers have to think safety for those who are coming to their farms.

"One of the biggest challenges is that agritourism can be like a festival, with large attendance numbers on the farms, so farmers have to add that extra level of safety."

To that end, members of the college's agriculture safety team are promoting "u-pick" safety tips to help protect visitors, workers and farm families from farm-related injuries. The tips are applicable to consumers as well as to farmers, producers, business owners and anyone who operates farm markets, pick-your-own operations, wineries, farmers markets or festivals, said Kathy Mann, an OSU Extension program coordinator in agricultural safety and health. 

Some safety tips for consumers visiting farms include:

"Agritourism has been a great way that many farm families have been able to earn additional income and a great way to get people to better understand agriculture and learn more about farmers and agriculture," Mann says. "But because these activities bring many visitors to the farm -- many of whom have little experience with the hazards that exist on a farm -- it is important that the safety of these visitors along with employees be of utmost concern for the farm operators."

The tips are easy, inexpensive and fairly universal guidelines to follow with the overall goal of making sure visitors are safe while on the farm, she said.

"That can be as simple as making sure that they aren't around farm machinery that can be hazardous to making sure that farm workers are trained in first aid," Mann said.

Some safety tips for farm operators include:

More information on agriculture safety can be found at http://agsafety.osu.edu.