Having people tour your farm?????

I saw a earlier posting about Agri tourism. I use to think that it was all right to have non farm people out to see how farming worked. As I have gotten older I am not sure that it is a good idea. Too many people today want to tell me how "my farming" is all wrong. I should be doing X Y & Z. It got so that everyone knows how to farm better than me. Even though they have never risk one dollar of their own money trying their loony theories.

So I now DO NOT INVITE anyone out, non family that is. My wife has non farm co-workers that come out for supper and I will not let them go out around the farm. As I have gotten older I don"t have the patience to put up with the idiots anymore. Those of you that want to are welcome to all of the bother.

Also those that do the farm tour type of things need to really make sure they have enough insurance to cover just about anything. Talked to a fellow that has school classes/kids tour his dairy. He was sued by some parent claiming his farm exposed her child to chemicals. Even though it was baseless it cost him ten grand to defend himself. He was still giving the tours. I would not have been.

So are any of you doing the tours??? Any problems???

There have been some local, "meet the local farmer" tours near our other place, north of here both equine and dairy operations, and some of the politicians have visited long time existing, or recent start up farms, like vegetable, organic products etc. It's a tour, not an inspection or inquiry of means and methods practiced by any farmer, most people don't like hard work, sweltering barn temps, freezing temps in the winter, myself included, did I say hard work, yes the hard physical labor aspect, though there are more physically demanding jobs where it is non stop, the all around aspect of work and marginal profits, seem to be respected, I've never seen anyone come up with what you describe, as if they come to your place and critique what you do.

The intent is to get the community in touch with the local farms, it helps those who sell products on the farm, I know 2 places that provide excellent products at reasonable prices, things that are organic, healthy etc. I realize most modern farming and crop production depends on chemicals, but these small operations, that open their doors to the public provide things you can't get at a supermarket, giving you a peace of mind that if you support a local farmer, there are good benefits of doing so. These operations if started in the 70's would have failed, right across the street from me, a long time butcher invested his life savings into a modern butcher shop, nearby supermarket undercut him too much, today, these kinds of operations are much more equitable, some people lack education and experience, they need to become less ignorant, its good for ya LOL !

JD,

I have an unusual ownership arrangement with an elderly lady who has a house on "our" farm. She gets paranoid whenever anyone drives up the drive, so I can't have very many visitors on the farm. If it were not for that situation, I would definitely open the farm up to tourism. There certainly isn't any money in selling commodities.

Concerning unsolicited advice about my farming, call me a BNHP, but I could not care less what someone says if it isn't solicited or at least constructive. Just ignore the advice.

Theft is another problem. I've had some stuff stolen shortly after I've allowed strangers to come onto the farm. Just a coincidence?

Tom in TN

That observation is more than coincidence, I DO NOT like strangers having any knowledge that could make them think the place is an easy target, or get an image in their minds about things easily stolen etc. One has to use care about that, in some cases where a place is vulnerable, best to keep em out period, not worth it.

Another point is keeping strangers off your land, this too can lead to similar problems, it starts with others gaining intelligence of your place. Where I live for example, there is 98 acres or so, behind my home is plenty of cover, I do everything I can to keep em out, and portray an image of a loon whenever possible ! LOL

A farm that is also a place of business like our other place and is occupied during off hours, I don't mind, but I am blunt about telling people do not come around off hours for any reason, dogs roam at night, so if we don't know you and you do not call.....

Working in the shop as mechanic there was never any shortage of advice from kids to old men.

the air force base out here does a tour with local farmers---pretty neat deal. the farmers get to ride in the cargo planes and the pilots and family get to see cattle operations wheat and cotton. most of the guys let them run some the equipment with supervision...bout the only kinda tour I can stand...

not me, the public is not welcome here, i dont have the insurance coverage or the patience to have idiots on the place, and if they havent grown up farming, there are too many things here that can hurt a idiot, ie the place is not darwin proof,

I couldnt see how anyone would be able to put up with strangers coming in and out of your farm. Not to mention the liability if someone walked into a tractor implement and broke their kneecap. (not worth the BS)

That all sounded kind of high and mighty. "People lack education"? "They need to become less ignorant"? Elitest phrases if ever I've heard them.

So maybe the whole two places you know of aren't indicative of all the other operations people have. Maybe the guys who said it's not a good idea have some practical experience, and not just an uninformed opinion. Maybe you are a little ignorant too.

I was about to say more, then realized you're from NY, so nevermind. It all makes sense now.

LOL I don't know, seems like a pretty good deal......ya get some city boy and his family to pay you to stay on your farm and to do some work for ya!

Been watching this for several years. Guess it's been profitable for the people doing it.

RIck

Yes I know the joy of having some brain dead idiot. Telling you what to do. My father was cleaning out a creek bottom one time. Pumping some water up on the field. Running his tractor through the water. Some idiot saw him from the road and called the sheriff on him.Said he was destroying a wetlands. He came out had a good laugh with my father and went home.

Too often after a tour the farmer receives notices from PETA, various snoopy government agencies and anonymous threats.

(quoted from post at 12:31:13 07/09/11)
Theft is another problem. I've had some stuff stolen shortly after I've allowed strangers to come onto the farm. Just a coincidence?

Tom in TN

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Oh, don't worry. People hunting illegally on your property will do the exact same thing; trust me. :evil:

> Some idiot saw him from the road and called the sheriff on him.Said he was destroying a wetlands. He came out had a good laugh with my father and went home.

Just be thankful the idiot called the Sheriff and not the DNR or the Army Corps of Engineers.