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September 1, 2015

Agritourism growth raises safety concerns

  • Opening a farm to the public is not for everyone, so extension agents advise considering the implications first.
    • By LISA RATHKE
    Associated Press

    SOUTH HERO, Vt. — As more farms open themselves up to visitors for apple picking, hay rides and some extra income, experts are advising owners to take steps to prevent accidents — be they small or fatal.

    Farming is one of the more dangerous occupations in the U.S. mostly due to the machinery and equipment, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But a growing interest in local food has led to agritourism becoming a big business, with the number of U.S. farms reporting income from such activities rising 42 percent between 2007 and 2012, according to the latest Census of Agriculture.


     
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