1. Oregon Agritourism Limited Liability Signs

Oregon Agritourism Limited Liability Signs

Author: Audrey Comerford, Oregon State University Extension Service

Publication: Summer 2021

Whether you are selling farm product or offering authentic experiences, when visitors step onto private farmland, there is potential risk to your farm business. No matter how smooth the ground is or how friendly the animals are, a visitor may get hurt. In Oregon, the Agritourism Limited Liability Law provides a farmer or rancher like yourself with a certain level of protection in the event of visitor injury or death at an agritourism activity. The law does not protect against negligence. In order for you to be protected by this law, official signs must be installed as directed below.

About the Limited Liability Sign

Agritourism Limited Liability Sign legislation has passed in
most states and may lower the risk to a farmer, rancher or on- farm value-added operator who sells directly to the public on their property. In Oregon, the Agritourism Limited Liability Bill SB 341 was passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2015 after a collaborative effort of several of Oregon’s major agriculture and agritourism organizations. The Agritourism Limited Liability Law is posted in the Oregon statutes as ORS 30.671 through 30.677.

Posting Signs as Specified in the Law

In order for you to be in compliance with the law, a regulation sign must be posted at the entrance to the property and also at additional locations where agritourism activities take place. For example, a sign should be posted at a farm stand or store, animal barns, u-pick areas, nature trails, and/or agriculture buildings. The sign must be posted at a height easily read by visitors. By installing the signs in this manner, you as the farmer or rancher are giving the visiting public notification of the risks associated with your enterprise and giving them a chance to leave the property before entry.

Regulation Sign Appearance

In order for the sign to be in compliance with the law, the warning message must appear in one-inch black lettering and read exactly as stated in ORS 30.677:

“Under Oregon law, there is no liability for an injury to or the death of a participant in an agri-tourism activity conducted at this agri-tourism location if the injury or death results from the inherent risks of the agri-tourism activity. Inherent risks of agri- tourism activities are risks of injury inherent to land, equipment and animals, as well as the potential for you to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to your injury or death. You are assuming the risk of participating in this agri-tourism activity. “

Obtaining a Regulation Limited Liability Sign

If you are looking for a regulation sign for your farm or ranch, you have a few options:

  1. Make your own sign or have one made for you following the exact specifications above. Purchase a regulation sign printed on a durable PVC material designed to withstand weather conditions from Oregon Agritourism Partnership, an Oregon non-profit. This lightweight but sturdy material makes for

an easy and quick installation. They sell for $50 each and OSU Extension Service assists with the sign distribution. The signs are available for purchase and pick up at the OSU Extension Office, Marion County. For more information visit www.oregonfarmloop.com or email farmloop@gmail.com.

  1. Purchase a regulation sign printed on weather resistant corrugated plastic from Plate & Pitchfork. These lightweight signs are great for farms who do not have events daily and want a movable sign to hang when the public is visiting. They have grommets in the corners which makes hanging simple. The signs are available at https://squareup.com/store/plate- and-pitchfork/item/agritourism-liability-sign and shipping is available.

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