Visitor Safety on Farms

Why do visitors face higher risks?

Visitors are unfamiliar with machinery, animals, uneven ground and the signs of danger that you read without thinking. Children run, adults are distracted by phones and photos and no one expects a gate to swing open or an animal to kick.

The more people you host, the more important a plan becomes. Even small family gatherings benefit from basic precautions.

Think about the age and abilities of your guests. Older visitors may have trouble with uneven ground and steps, and young children may wander quickly. Plan paths and rest areas with them in mind.

How do I walk my farm to find hazards?

Walk through the places guests will go, from the parking area to the house, animals and any activity area, as if you were a first-time visitor. Look for tripping hazards, loose boards, open pits or water, exposed wires, sharp objects, slippery surfaces, low beams and unprotected equipment.

Fix what you can, block off what you cannot and mark the rest. Repeat the walk before each event, since conditions change.

Ask a friend to walk the route with you. A second pair of eyes spots hazards that you have stopped noticing, and a friend who is new to the farm will see what your visitors will see.

• Check parking, paths, steps and railings
• Look for water, pits and open edges
• Secure tools, chemicals and equipment
• Lock areas that are off limits

What signs and boundaries should I use?

Clear, simple signs and barriers tell visitors where they may go and where they may not. Mark entrances, exits, restrooms, handwashing stations and areas with animals or machinery. Use fences, ropes or gates to keep people out of off-limits areas.

Tell visitors the rules when they arrive, both on signs and out loud. Many people never read a sign but will listen to a friendly person.

Keep signs in good repair, large enough to read and written in plain words. Add pictures or symbols where helpful, and light key areas if events run into the evening.

How do I protect visitors from animal contact risks?

Animals can kick, bite, step on people and pass germs. Keep guests out of pens unless you are supervising directly. Provide a handwashing station with soap and water near animal areas and at exits, and ask visitors to wash after touching animals and before eating.

Do not allow food or drink in animal areas. Ask your veterinarian or extension office about health guidance for events with animals, and about any restrictions on poultry and livestock visitors, since biosecurity and disease rules vary by state.

How do I manage children and supervision?

Ask parents to stay with their children at all times. Set age-appropriate areas, and keep children away from machinery, water and unfenced animals. Make a clear point about who is responsible for supervising children.

For larger groups, ask volunteers to help watch the areas where problems are most likely, and give them a way to reach you quickly.

If you hold events, make a short list of volunteers and tasks. Assign someone to greet people, someone to watch the animal area and someone to handle parking, so that no one has to do everything.

What about liability, rules and insurance?

Rules about visitors, liability, insurance, permits, food sales and agritourism vary by state, county and town. This is not legal advice. Ask your insurance agent, your state department of agriculture, your county extension office and your local zoning or health department what applies to your farm.

Some states have agritourism laws, and some require posted warnings. Ask exactly what they require of you before you open the gate to the public.

Keep a simple record of events, including dates, attendance and any incidents. Check with your insurance agent about what records they want, and about coverage for guests.

How do I plan for emergencies?

Know the address and driving directions to give to emergency services. Keep a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and a list of emergency numbers handy. Make sure that more than one person knows where they are and how to call for help.

Plan for weather, power outages and medical emergencies. Tell visitors where to shelter during storms, and keep clear access for emergency vehicles. Review the plan after each event and update it.

Before the event, check that gates open, extinguishers are charged, lights work and phones have signal at the main gathering spots. Small fixes made early prevent big problems later.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.