Bill: Leave out tricks for corn maze farms
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No comments [ Add Comment ]By Loretta Park
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
lpark@standard.net
S
YRACUSE -- Farmers need to be protected from tricks while treating the public to corn mazes, hay rides and pumpkin patches, one lawmaker says.
Rep. Michael T. Morley, R-Spanish Fork, proposed legislation last session that would offer such protection, but it didn't pass. He plans to reintroduce the bill and it will be discussed Wednesday, before the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee. The bill defines what an agri-tourism business is. It also protects farmers and ranchers from being sued if a person gets hurt through disregarding signs and warnings or using animals or equipment in an unsafe manner.
"As we become more and more urbanized communities, there are more agri-tourism activities," Morley said.
While most people just want to ride horses, feed wildlife, wander through corn mazes, ride hay wagons and pick pumpkins, Morley said, a small segment of society seeks ways to make extra cash through lawsuits.
"They're just looking for an unsafe condition," Morley said.
Walking through a corn maze could mean stubbing a toe on a rock, tripping on uneven ground or even cutting a finger on a corn leaf, he said.
Charlie Black, owner of Black Island Farms in Syracuse, and Tom Day, one of the owners of Day Farms in Layton, are two farmers who give the public a chance to experience a farm in a fun way.
Neither have had any accidents or anyone threatening to sue, but both see the merit of having a law that could protect them while they host the public.
"It's difficult and expensive to get liability insurance," Black said.
His farm houses a 16-acre corn maze, 5 acres of other agricultural activities, a cow train and animal alley. For years, Black hosted free tours for church and school groups, but decided to run it as a business several years ago.
Last year, more than 19,000 people spent some time on the farm at 3178 S. 3000 West, Syracuse. This year, organizers hope 40,000 people will come to the farm, said Brandon Law, Black's son-in-law.
Day Farms has had a pumpkin patch and hayride for the past 15 years at 2500 W. Gentile, Layton.
"Last Saturday we had to turn 100 people away because it got too dark," Day said.
Day said there needs to be a "blanket" law for the whole state protecting farmers and ranchers from frivolous lawsuits.
"The reality is, there is always someone who wants you to keep them from stubbing their toe," Day said.
Rep. Kerry Gibson, R-West Weber, runs a 600-acre dairy farm. He also gives school groups free tours of his farm to show them where food comes from.
He said he sees the need for agri-tourism businesses and for Morley's proposed bill.
"This time of year, people are looking for good, wholesome clean fun," Gibson said.
Pumpkin patches and corn mazes provide that. There are farmers who want to go into the agri-tourism business, but won't, Gibson said.
"There's a fear, a real fear of being sued into oblivion because someone comes to your farm and trips over a rock," he said.
