Agritourism

CALIFORNIA ALPACA FARMS & AGRITOURISM (Generated from AI)

Many farms today are engaged in agritourism and for many it can be quite lucrative financially. It is a relatively new type of tourism in California that is growing in rapidly in popularity.  Many alpaca farms are beginning to use the trourism as a component of their business model. Many have retail alpaca shops, airbnb rentals, farm tours and other such activities. Given that Calpaca is representative mosting of California the information provided here in based upon California laws, regulations and organizations specific to California. If you are reading this from another state other than California look to your states Affiliate or Alpaca Owners Association for relevant information.

California Liability laws regarding Agritourism:

For California, the Agritourism Liability Act warning sign requirement in AB 2635 Analysis is that an agritourism operator must post a warning notice on signs at the agritourism location, in the form specified by the bill. The bill text in the available summary does not spell out the exact sign dimensions or exact wording in the snippet I found, but it does make the warning sign a condition for the liability protection the bill creates. (Calmatters)

Practical meaning
The safest reading is that the warning must be visible to visitors at the agritourism site and should be posted where guests enter and where activities occur, because that is how similar agritourism statutes are commonly written. California’s bill summary also ties the protection to warnings being posted and to the operator not acting with gross negligence or recklessness. So the sign is only one part of compliance, not a stand-alone shield.

What to verify: Before using a sign, verify:

The exact statutory text or any final enacted version of AB 2635.

Whether California requires one sign at the entrance, one at each activity, or both.

Whether the law mandates exact wording, font size, or placement rules.

Exact Text for California Waiver Sign:

“WARNING: Under California law, there is no liability for an injury, loss, damage, or death of a participant in an agritourism activity conducted at this agritourism location if the injury, loss, damage, or death results from the inherent risks of the agritourism activity.
Inherent risks of agritourism 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, loss, damage, or death.
You are assuming the risk of participating in this agritourism activity.”

Safer farm practice
Until the final wording is confirmed, use large, highly visible warning signs at the main entrance and at each activity area, and pair them with visitor waivers and insurance review. That approach is consistent with UC ANR’s broader risk-management guidance for farm tours and agritourism.

What a good release of liability usually includes:

A practical farm waiver usually has:

• A clear title like “Waiver of Liability” or “Release of Liability”.

• The farm’s legal name and each participant’s name.

• A description of the activity and its risks, such as animals, equipment, uneven ground, weather, or vehicles.

• A statement that the participant assumes those risks and releases the farm from claims, including ordinary negligence where enforceable.

• Signatures and dates, with a parent or guardian signature for minors.

MORE INFORMATION TO COME IN THE FUTURE ON THIS TOPIC.