Whether its pick-your-own produce or a towering ropes obstacle course, farmers expanding to popular tourism draws to subsidize their traditional agriculture production are now getting more protection with the help of the Legislature.
Act 27, introduced by Cumberland County House Rep. Barb Gleim, R-199, gives limited liability to the agritourism industry as long as farms posts signs and provide a written waiver to customers.
And other legislation is proposed as small farms often struggle to make ends meet relying solely on the crops they harvest and need to boost revenues by using their land for less traditional farming activities.
To supplement their income, farmers have turned to agritourism models like pick-your-own produce, seasonal events like haunted hayrides and fall festivals and other unique education or entertainment attractions.