1 00:00:04,750 --> 00:00:08,420 - And now I'm gonna stop sharing my screen 2 00:00:08,420 --> 00:00:12,500 and get to our topic of the day. 3 00:00:12,500 --> 00:00:15,880 We're talking about liability insurance for farms 4 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:17,690 open to visitors. 5 00:00:17,690 --> 00:00:21,300 And we are fortunate to have with us Stuart Farnham, 6 00:00:21,300 --> 00:00:25,020 who is the Vice President of Farm Commercial Sales 7 00:00:25,020 --> 00:00:27,143 focused on farms and food manufacturers. 8 00:00:28,670 --> 00:00:30,790 Stuart has formed relationships 9 00:00:30,790 --> 00:00:34,420 with many agricultural associations throughout his years, 10 00:00:34,420 --> 00:00:37,390 working with farmers to meet their insurance needs. 11 00:00:37,390 --> 00:00:39,450 He's a member of the Vermont Farm Bureau 12 00:00:39,450 --> 00:00:42,180 executive committee and board of directors. 13 00:00:42,180 --> 00:00:43,320 And he also is a member 14 00:00:43,320 --> 00:00:46,490 of two Vermont Count Farm Bureau Boards. 15 00:00:46,490 --> 00:00:49,790 He's one of only a few people registered in New England 16 00:00:49,790 --> 00:00:53,470 with the AFIS designation, A-F-I-S. 17 00:00:53,470 --> 00:00:56,930 Stands for Agribusiness and Farm Insurance Specialist. 18 00:00:56,930 --> 00:00:58,660 A prestigious designation 19 00:00:58,660 --> 00:01:01,760 highlighting his farm insurance knowledge and focus. 20 00:01:01,760 --> 00:01:05,770 He has 16 years experience in quality management 21 00:01:05,770 --> 00:01:08,410 in a manufacturing environment with food, 22 00:01:08,410 --> 00:01:11,060 medical devices and consumer goods, 23 00:01:11,060 --> 00:01:13,140 giving him a key knowledge of the processes 24 00:01:13,140 --> 00:01:16,590 and specific insurance needs for this type of business. 25 00:01:16,590 --> 00:01:19,360 And I first came across Stuart Boy. 26 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:22,820 I wanna say it was like a good 10 years ago or so 27 00:01:22,820 --> 00:01:25,310 when I was working with farms in Vermont 28 00:01:25,310 --> 00:01:27,000 that were open to businesses 29 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:29,490 and some of them were able to get insurance 30 00:01:29,490 --> 00:01:31,460 to cover their agritourism activities, 31 00:01:31,460 --> 00:01:34,190 and others had a really hard time 32 00:01:34,190 --> 00:01:39,040 finding insurance to cover their agritourism activities. 33 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:41,580 Sometimes felt like their insurance agent, 34 00:01:41,580 --> 00:01:43,860 they would call it their insurance. 35 00:01:43,860 --> 00:01:45,410 Rather than insurance agent, 36 00:01:45,410 --> 00:01:48,100 they would call it their insurance adversary. 37 00:01:48,100 --> 00:01:51,860 And, you know, it was kind of an out to get 38 00:01:51,860 --> 00:01:55,040 you got your sort of relationship they felt, 39 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:57,580 or their insurance company would just drop them 40 00:01:57,580 --> 00:02:01,300 once they started doing agritourism activities. 41 00:02:01,300 --> 00:02:03,410 And then I ran into a few different farms 42 00:02:04,516 --> 00:02:07,140 that felt good about their liability insurance. 43 00:02:07,140 --> 00:02:07,973 And it turned out 44 00:02:07,973 --> 00:02:10,390 they were working with a handful of insurers, 45 00:02:10,390 --> 00:02:12,980 a small number of insurers. 46 00:02:12,980 --> 00:02:14,830 One of them was Stuart Farnham. 47 00:02:14,830 --> 00:02:17,910 I'm happy to say that as agritourism has grown 48 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:20,620 in the past 10, 20 years. 49 00:02:20,620 --> 00:02:24,060 We now have more and more insurance companies 50 00:02:24,060 --> 00:02:26,270 and insurance agents that understand 51 00:02:26,270 --> 00:02:30,260 the importance of these alternative enterprises 52 00:02:30,260 --> 00:02:33,300 and this diversification for farms. 53 00:02:33,300 --> 00:02:35,520 But it still is a challenge 54 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:39,270 to find affordable and comprehensive insurance. 55 00:02:39,270 --> 00:02:41,640 And we've invited a Stuart here today 56 00:02:41,640 --> 00:02:43,490 to share some of this knowledge 57 00:02:43,490 --> 00:02:45,780 and address some of your questions. 58 00:02:45,780 --> 00:02:48,250 Stuart, would you like to add anything 59 00:02:48,250 --> 00:02:51,514 to that introduction or start with (mumbles) 60 00:02:51,514 --> 00:02:53,114 - That was fantastic, thank you. 61 00:02:54,170 --> 00:02:56,220 No, I don't have anything to add to that. 62 00:02:58,450 --> 00:03:01,220 So I did bring a slide show 63 00:03:01,220 --> 00:03:04,373 that we've done on a previous occasion. 64 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:08,890 We can go through that just to spark questions, 65 00:03:08,890 --> 00:03:13,370 or we can look at other things. 66 00:03:13,370 --> 00:03:16,800 So do we have any questions in the chat yet, 67 00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:19,220 or should I go through that slide show 68 00:03:19,220 --> 00:03:20,873 and see if we can pick up some? 69 00:03:21,790 --> 00:03:23,053 - We do have a question in the chat, 70 00:03:23,053 --> 00:03:26,950 but I'm gonna say, why don't you just to set the stage? 71 00:03:26,950 --> 00:03:30,340 And I know you Stuart looked at a bunch of the questions 72 00:03:30,340 --> 00:03:32,150 from registration beforehand. 73 00:03:32,150 --> 00:03:34,930 Step the stage by sharing some of the slides 74 00:03:34,930 --> 00:03:37,000 and just talking a little bit about kind of 75 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:40,410 what insurance means for agritourism activity. 76 00:03:40,410 --> 00:03:41,400 - All right, great. 77 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:43,113 I will share my screen then. 78 00:03:45,150 --> 00:03:47,870 So again, I'm Stuart Farnham. 79 00:03:47,870 --> 00:03:52,870 I am an agent in Vermont, but I do cover a few states. 80 00:03:53,910 --> 00:03:56,570 So I just want to give a disclaimer 81 00:03:56,570 --> 00:03:58,660 that I see there's more than a dozen states 82 00:03:58,660 --> 00:04:02,410 on the people from a dozen different states 83 00:04:02,410 --> 00:04:06,400 signed in or signed on to attend this. 84 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:08,860 So I am not licensed in all the states 85 00:04:08,860 --> 00:04:11,270 that are represented on that list. 86 00:04:11,270 --> 00:04:12,960 I don't know all the details. 87 00:04:12,960 --> 00:04:15,523 So I'm gonna try to speak in general terms. 88 00:04:16,700 --> 00:04:20,500 Don't hold me to what I say for your state. 89 00:04:20,500 --> 00:04:25,500 So I am familiar with Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, 90 00:04:26,500 --> 00:04:30,370 New York, and some Massachusetts rules, 91 00:04:30,370 --> 00:04:34,466 but every state is very different. 92 00:04:34,466 --> 00:04:38,630 So where waivers will work for one state 93 00:04:38,630 --> 00:04:40,350 may not work for another. 94 00:04:40,350 --> 00:04:44,763 And when you have an insurance policy in Vermont, 95 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:50,870 it may not be applicable as an exact terms in another state. 96 00:04:50,870 --> 00:04:53,120 So just having said that, 97 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:54,430 I'll run through these slides 98 00:04:54,430 --> 00:04:56,270 and maybe we'll get some questions. 99 00:04:56,270 --> 00:05:00,740 But everybody's circumstances are gonna be very individual 100 00:05:00,740 --> 00:05:04,370 to your own farm and your own needs. 101 00:05:04,370 --> 00:05:09,080 So there's some pictures in this slide show 102 00:05:09,080 --> 00:05:12,390 that will show some specific farms needs. 103 00:05:12,390 --> 00:05:15,963 I did get approval from those farmers to share those photos. 104 00:05:18,370 --> 00:05:21,993 So we'll just have a look through these. 105 00:05:23,110 --> 00:05:24,810 So there's a little bit about myself. 106 00:05:24,810 --> 00:05:26,730 I did grow up on a farm. 107 00:05:26,730 --> 00:05:28,480 My father was the farm mechanic, 108 00:05:28,480 --> 00:05:31,250 and I did throw hay a few summers, 109 00:05:31,250 --> 00:05:36,040 but otherwise we enjoyed the farm itself, 110 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:39,660 but didn't really partake in the farming activity, 111 00:05:39,660 --> 00:05:41,620 all that regular. 112 00:05:41,620 --> 00:05:44,840 But I am familiar with farms 113 00:05:44,840 --> 00:05:48,990 and that farm is a very popular farm in Rockport, Maine. 114 00:05:48,990 --> 00:05:49,870 It's right on the ocean. 115 00:05:49,870 --> 00:05:50,870 It's pretty, it's beautiful. 116 00:05:50,870 --> 00:05:53,053 So I recommend going visiting. 117 00:05:54,150 --> 00:05:55,360 When you have people on your farm, 118 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:58,860 you're responsible for their safety. 119 00:05:58,860 --> 00:06:01,210 It doesn't matter if they're visitors 120 00:06:01,210 --> 00:06:04,410 or customers or employees. 121 00:06:04,410 --> 00:06:08,670 You're responsible for everybody to some degree on the farm. 122 00:06:08,670 --> 00:06:13,670 So liability insurance, which is the topic 123 00:06:13,710 --> 00:06:18,710 of this session is another way of sharing the risk. 124 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:25,800 So agritourism is a relatively new term 125 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:30,560 and it's defined by every state 126 00:06:30,560 --> 00:06:35,560 and most farmers differently all around. 127 00:06:35,940 --> 00:06:38,690 So you can find a different definition 128 00:06:38,690 --> 00:06:40,530 pretty much in every state. 129 00:06:40,530 --> 00:06:41,670 Here's just a few. 130 00:06:41,670 --> 00:06:45,700 And of course the dictionary is definition of it is as well. 131 00:06:45,700 --> 00:06:48,980 And the USDA and the government. 132 00:06:48,980 --> 00:06:52,800 And everybody has their own individual definition. 133 00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:54,920 So some are similar, some are very different, 134 00:06:54,920 --> 00:06:59,920 but ultimately my definition is very general and vague, 135 00:07:00,670 --> 00:07:03,050 but any activity on the farm 136 00:07:03,050 --> 00:07:06,290 then invites the public on to your farm 137 00:07:06,290 --> 00:07:07,830 is really agritourism, 138 00:07:07,830 --> 00:07:11,840 cause a farming operation in itself 139 00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:15,910 does not require the interaction with the public. 140 00:07:15,910 --> 00:07:18,650 So if you're gonna grow a crop and harvest it, 141 00:07:18,650 --> 00:07:21,430 you can take that crop and sell it 142 00:07:21,430 --> 00:07:24,190 without ever interacting with anybody on your farm. 143 00:07:24,190 --> 00:07:27,320 So the activity of inviting people onto the farm 144 00:07:28,180 --> 00:07:31,260 is a little bit different than farming itself. 145 00:07:31,260 --> 00:07:34,390 So again, what is liability insurance do for you? 146 00:07:34,390 --> 00:07:36,580 Well, it shares the risk. 147 00:07:36,580 --> 00:07:41,580 It shares and protects as far as what do you need? 148 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:43,880 Well, if you have a home 149 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:46,590 and you don't have a homeowner's policy, 150 00:07:46,590 --> 00:07:48,310 it may or may not work 151 00:07:48,310 --> 00:07:51,470 as far as protecting you for your farming operation. 152 00:07:51,470 --> 00:07:54,810 So you really need to have a heart to heart conversation 153 00:07:54,810 --> 00:07:56,040 with your agent to find out 154 00:07:56,040 --> 00:07:57,490 if it's going to meet your needs, 155 00:07:57,490 --> 00:07:59,430 or if you need something different. 156 00:07:59,430 --> 00:08:02,180 So identifying those risks 157 00:08:02,180 --> 00:08:05,150 and being very honest with your insurance agent 158 00:08:05,150 --> 00:08:07,640 is something recently that I found out 159 00:08:07,640 --> 00:08:09,240 isn't always true. 160 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:12,363 Here, we have a couple examples of risk. 161 00:08:13,410 --> 00:08:17,040 Some risks that you need to take notice of. 162 00:08:17,040 --> 00:08:19,700 The top picture is just some clutter 163 00:08:19,700 --> 00:08:21,280 in the corner of a farm. 164 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:24,420 And it identifies just an attractive nuisance. 165 00:08:24,420 --> 00:08:26,170 Kids love to climb. 166 00:08:26,170 --> 00:08:28,400 That's a nice stack of pallets 167 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:30,270 and kids will love to climb that 168 00:08:30,270 --> 00:08:33,510 if you don't either move it 169 00:08:33,510 --> 00:08:37,960 or remove it so that it is not an attractive nuisance. 170 00:08:37,960 --> 00:08:41,530 The bottom slide is just manure and mud 171 00:08:41,530 --> 00:08:43,100 and crusted road crossing, 172 00:08:43,100 --> 00:08:47,340 where some cattle would be crossing the road 173 00:08:47,340 --> 00:08:51,430 from a pasture to the milking parlor. 174 00:08:51,430 --> 00:08:55,000 And entrance of a form that is muddy like that, 175 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:56,590 when it's wet, it's slippery. 176 00:08:56,590 --> 00:08:59,330 And that is just something that you need to take note of 177 00:08:59,330 --> 00:09:00,860 and keep it clean 178 00:09:00,860 --> 00:09:03,124 so that when people are turning in, 179 00:09:03,124 --> 00:09:05,800 they're not crashing into others. 180 00:09:05,800 --> 00:09:08,060 A couple of more pictures, but these are good ones. 181 00:09:08,060 --> 00:09:13,060 These are examples of very good signage and direction. 182 00:09:14,690 --> 00:09:17,760 The top picture says, it's a store. 183 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:22,760 It has a handicap parking lot space next to the door. 184 00:09:22,860 --> 00:09:24,593 It has a very good signage 185 00:09:24,593 --> 00:09:27,043 and you know exactly where to go and what to do. 186 00:09:28,020 --> 00:09:32,150 So you're limiting your risk by having a lot of signs, 187 00:09:32,150 --> 00:09:35,430 having that access that the handicap access 188 00:09:35,430 --> 00:09:38,200 is to be parked there. 189 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:40,660 And the bottom picture, 190 00:09:40,660 --> 00:09:45,660 again, using signage also has some cones up 191 00:09:45,690 --> 00:09:50,580 to separate people walking versus the parking lot. 192 00:09:50,580 --> 00:09:52,930 They have a port-a-potty right by the door, 193 00:09:52,930 --> 00:09:55,490 which is very visible 194 00:09:55,490 --> 00:09:57,220 and you don't have to go looking for it, 195 00:09:57,220 --> 00:10:00,720 which is handy and they also had 196 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:02,923 hand-washing stations there as well. 197 00:10:03,770 --> 00:10:07,523 So farm liability is very varying. 198 00:10:08,360 --> 00:10:11,050 It's everything to do with the operation. 199 00:10:11,050 --> 00:10:15,970 So one thing I hear a lot of is if I'm insured as a farm, 200 00:10:15,970 --> 00:10:18,970 I should be insured for everything I do. 201 00:10:18,970 --> 00:10:21,450 Well, insurance companies 202 00:10:21,450 --> 00:10:26,170 categorize each individual type of activity 203 00:10:26,170 --> 00:10:31,170 and corn maze isn't the same as a summer camp, 204 00:10:31,700 --> 00:10:34,940 and a petting farm is not a pick your own. 205 00:10:34,940 --> 00:10:39,940 So all those things do get a different rate 206 00:10:40,610 --> 00:10:44,990 and a different category on the policy for the liability. 207 00:10:44,990 --> 00:10:49,990 And sales as it relates to each particular category 208 00:10:50,650 --> 00:10:55,650 is how you're going to pay for those types of coverages. 209 00:10:56,330 --> 00:10:59,080 So your agent's going to need to know 210 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:03,627 a very individual per risk rate 211 00:11:05,090 --> 00:11:09,863 on great meaning your sales based on that activity. 212 00:11:10,750 --> 00:11:11,790 So liability types. 213 00:11:11,790 --> 00:11:15,370 Like I said, it's describes everything, 214 00:11:15,370 --> 00:11:20,370 but we're talking about business as well as property. 215 00:11:21,150 --> 00:11:23,310 So if you have a farm, 216 00:11:23,310 --> 00:11:24,530 you could to be talking about 217 00:11:24,530 --> 00:11:27,590 the liability of the actual product itself, 218 00:11:27,590 --> 00:11:29,710 as well as the location 219 00:11:29,710 --> 00:11:32,260 where somebody might be coming to buy it. 220 00:11:32,260 --> 00:11:34,210 So if you have a farm stand, 221 00:11:34,210 --> 00:11:37,660 you can cover the premise as with a farm policy, 222 00:11:37,660 --> 00:11:40,600 as well as the liability of the sales itself. 223 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:44,500 So if somebody chokes on the maple syrup cap, 224 00:11:44,500 --> 00:11:48,030 that's product, whereas if they trip and fall 225 00:11:48,030 --> 00:11:50,640 in their driveway, that's premise liability. 226 00:11:50,640 --> 00:11:54,870 So a couple of different ways to look at everything. 227 00:11:54,870 --> 00:11:59,390 So it's important to have detailed conversations 228 00:11:59,390 --> 00:12:00,223 with your agent 229 00:12:00,223 --> 00:12:03,513 about covering everything you're concerned about. 230 00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:06,557 Liquor liability is one of those things 231 00:12:06,557 --> 00:12:08,290 but I really won't get into the details 232 00:12:08,290 --> 00:12:13,290 on this varying state cause Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, 233 00:12:15,310 --> 00:12:16,540 the states that I'm familiar with 234 00:12:16,540 --> 00:12:20,650 for the most part is each state is very different 235 00:12:20,650 --> 00:12:22,910 and they all treat it very differently. 236 00:12:22,910 --> 00:12:26,090 So to have activity on your farm with liquor 237 00:12:26,090 --> 00:12:29,410 is very different per state. 238 00:12:29,410 --> 00:12:33,583 So that is it for that slide show. 239 00:12:35,790 --> 00:12:38,500 - Shall we start peppering you with questions? 240 00:12:38,500 --> 00:12:39,710 - Yes, please, well that, 241 00:12:39,710 --> 00:12:42,360 and we have some previously prepared questions, 242 00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:44,330 but yes, please. 243 00:12:44,330 --> 00:12:47,560 - Okay, I'm gonna start with one of the questions 244 00:12:47,560 --> 00:12:50,120 that was sent in through registration, 245 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:52,700 which is how do you find an insurance agent 246 00:12:52,700 --> 00:12:55,500 willing to offer a liability insurance coverage 247 00:12:55,500 --> 00:12:57,513 for agritourism activities? 248 00:12:58,550 --> 00:13:02,373 - So there are a few tools. 249 00:13:04,078 --> 00:13:05,550 Like Lisa said on the introduction, 250 00:13:05,550 --> 00:13:08,597 I am an AFIS certified agent. 251 00:13:08,597 --> 00:13:10,830 And AFIS is a designation 252 00:13:10,830 --> 00:13:13,730 that you go through quite a bit of training 253 00:13:13,730 --> 00:13:18,730 and then recertification and you attend classes annually. 254 00:13:19,990 --> 00:13:24,650 AFIIS is also a designation that you can Google 255 00:13:25,890 --> 00:13:27,880 and find their website, 256 00:13:27,880 --> 00:13:32,473 and find an agent that is certified in AFIS and by state, 257 00:13:33,750 --> 00:13:35,610 and find one that is more familiar 258 00:13:35,610 --> 00:13:37,910 because somebody that's certified in AFIS 259 00:13:37,910 --> 00:13:40,503 is meaning they're specializing in farm insurance. 260 00:13:42,250 --> 00:13:44,993 Another tool is nationwide has an agent farmer, 261 00:13:47,282 --> 00:13:50,760 nationwide insurance is one of the coverages that we do. 262 00:13:50,760 --> 00:13:53,573 We sell with nationwide insurance, our primary insurer. 263 00:13:54,570 --> 00:13:57,730 They are the largest farm insure in the United States, 264 00:13:57,730 --> 00:14:02,730 but they have a tool called agent finder. 265 00:14:02,810 --> 00:14:05,370 I put that in that word document 266 00:14:05,370 --> 00:14:07,720 that I don't have in front of me, 267 00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:12,720 but I think it's agent finder or agent farm insurance. 268 00:14:12,970 --> 00:14:14,706 You have it Lisa? 269 00:14:14,706 --> 00:14:18,146 farmagentfinder.com, I think it is, yep. 270 00:14:18,146 --> 00:14:19,760 - Yeah, you just click on that. 271 00:14:19,760 --> 00:14:22,870 - Yep, click on that, put in your zip code, 272 00:14:22,870 --> 00:14:25,450 you'll find some agent choices. 273 00:14:25,450 --> 00:14:27,550 We are an elite farm certified agent, 274 00:14:27,550 --> 00:14:31,360 meaning we specialize in farm insurance. 275 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:35,870 We have a lot more tools in our toolbox 276 00:14:35,870 --> 00:14:39,410 to use for farm insurance than most. 277 00:14:39,410 --> 00:14:43,160 I would find an elite farm certified agent close to you 278 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:45,370 that's licensed in your state 279 00:14:45,370 --> 00:14:47,270 and they can answer your questions 280 00:14:47,270 --> 00:14:50,040 or at least give you a direction 281 00:14:50,040 --> 00:14:51,983 to go in if they're to help or not. 282 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:55,620 - I'm gonna add to that question if you don't mind. 283 00:14:55,620 --> 00:14:56,630 - No, please. 284 00:14:56,630 --> 00:15:00,560 - Talk to other farmers, tell them the real scoop. 285 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:03,597 - Yeah, and other farmers similar farmers. 286 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:07,830 - Find a farm that's offering the activities 287 00:15:07,830 --> 00:15:10,200 or products that your thinking about 288 00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:12,203 that you're thinking of offering, 289 00:15:13,180 --> 00:15:14,030 at least in Vermont. 290 00:15:14,030 --> 00:15:16,820 But I think if this is true all throughout the Northeast, 291 00:15:16,820 --> 00:15:19,480 we've got this incredible network of farmers 292 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:22,110 that are so willing to help each other. 293 00:15:22,110 --> 00:15:24,220 So even if you don't know the farm, 294 00:15:24,220 --> 00:15:28,420 if you give them a ring or stop by there, 295 00:15:28,420 --> 00:15:30,170 fill out their form on their website, 296 00:15:30,170 --> 00:15:32,180 the nice thing about farms open to visitors 297 00:15:32,180 --> 00:15:34,370 is they tend to be very easy to reach 298 00:15:34,370 --> 00:15:37,120 and to contact and very responsive, 299 00:15:37,120 --> 00:15:39,050 and ask them, who are you working with? 300 00:15:39,050 --> 00:15:40,070 How's your coverage? 301 00:15:40,070 --> 00:15:41,290 How do you like it? 302 00:15:41,290 --> 00:15:43,123 Get the inside scoop. 303 00:15:44,750 --> 00:15:46,140 - That should have been my first answer 304 00:15:46,140 --> 00:15:51,140 because I had over 30 referrals this spring from clients. 305 00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:58,267 So yeah, it's a great tool and I appreciate it. 306 00:15:59,320 --> 00:16:01,660 People share me, so... 307 00:16:02,657 --> 00:16:05,180 - All right, we got a few questions coming in through chat 308 00:16:05,180 --> 00:16:07,700 and we'll try to get through all of them, 309 00:16:07,700 --> 00:16:10,773 but maybe not exact like in the order they come in. 310 00:16:12,520 --> 00:16:14,440 Here's a question that says, 311 00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:17,970 is there a difference between insuring a farm business 312 00:16:17,970 --> 00:16:21,180 versus a non-profit that owns the farm? 313 00:16:21,180 --> 00:16:26,180 - Maybe, so who I guess I would need to know 314 00:16:27,940 --> 00:16:31,190 the entity that owns the farm versus operates it. 315 00:16:31,190 --> 00:16:36,190 So if a nonprofit is the operating entity, 316 00:16:38,450 --> 00:16:41,130 it's a very different entity to ensure 317 00:16:41,130 --> 00:16:45,710 versus a for-profit farmer or business. 318 00:16:45,710 --> 00:16:50,710 So non non-profits trusts those types of things 319 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:52,527 are different to insure. 320 00:16:52,527 --> 00:16:55,560 And a lot of companies shy away from covering 321 00:16:55,560 --> 00:16:59,630 those types of entities based on profits payment, 322 00:16:59,630 --> 00:17:01,140 that type of thing. 323 00:17:01,140 --> 00:17:05,260 So we would have to know a lot of the specifics 324 00:17:05,260 --> 00:17:06,793 to answer that appropriately. 325 00:17:07,690 --> 00:17:10,820 - And I'm gonna say that with Stuart's permission, 326 00:17:10,820 --> 00:17:12,650 we're gonna share his phone number 327 00:17:12,650 --> 00:17:17,620 and email address after this session here. 328 00:17:17,620 --> 00:17:20,390 So for questions that get very specific 329 00:17:20,390 --> 00:17:24,343 and into the details, feel free to bug him about it. 330 00:17:25,360 --> 00:17:26,310 This is what he does. 331 00:17:26,310 --> 00:17:28,090 - Yep, and if you're in a different state, 332 00:17:28,090 --> 00:17:31,080 I do have associates friends in the business 333 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:33,360 all across the United States. 334 00:17:33,360 --> 00:17:35,701 So I can try to put you in touch 335 00:17:35,701 --> 00:17:39,300 if I know somebody in that state or close to it. 336 00:17:39,300 --> 00:17:41,710 - Here's another one that is in chat. 337 00:17:41,710 --> 00:17:44,960 Is can you speak to agritourism liability 338 00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:47,963 specifically for pick your own operations? 339 00:17:49,470 --> 00:17:51,003 - I can speak to it. 340 00:17:52,952 --> 00:17:54,480 It is a specific need. 341 00:17:54,480 --> 00:17:59,480 Some companies will insure and some some may not, 342 00:18:00,010 --> 00:18:04,100 but it all depends on how, 343 00:18:04,100 --> 00:18:06,350 I guess the one pick your own type activity 344 00:18:06,350 --> 00:18:10,230 that some companies don't like is choosing, 345 00:18:10,230 --> 00:18:12,020 cut your own Christmas trees. 346 00:18:12,020 --> 00:18:15,060 But depending on how you're doing it with a handsaw 347 00:18:15,060 --> 00:18:16,680 or power tool. 348 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:19,253 But pick your own, 349 00:18:20,760 --> 00:18:23,510 it's an activity that's becoming more and more popular. 350 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:28,520 You need to make sure that you have the right signage. 351 00:18:28,520 --> 00:18:30,870 We've been to farms that do signage well, 352 00:18:30,870 --> 00:18:32,900 and I've been to a farms that don't, 353 00:18:32,900 --> 00:18:37,900 but I am a lover of signage, 354 00:18:38,190 --> 00:18:41,390 because I don't wanna wonder where I should go 355 00:18:41,390 --> 00:18:42,223 and what I should do. 356 00:18:42,223 --> 00:18:44,760 I wanna know where you want me to be 357 00:18:44,760 --> 00:18:46,300 and what you want me to do. 358 00:18:46,300 --> 00:18:51,300 So clear signage is imperative to pick your own operations, 359 00:18:51,320 --> 00:18:53,480 especially in a field. 360 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:55,050 If it's a strawberry operation, 361 00:18:55,050 --> 00:18:56,470 I think it's pretty clear, 362 00:18:56,470 --> 00:18:59,400 but your strawberry field may not be visible 363 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:00,930 from the parking lot. 364 00:19:00,930 --> 00:19:04,060 Getting people from one place to another 365 00:19:04,060 --> 00:19:08,750 is something we're seeing different farms do different, 366 00:19:08,750 --> 00:19:11,463 better, better on this, not so good on that. 367 00:19:12,860 --> 00:19:14,710 I don't know specifically what you wanna know 368 00:19:14,710 --> 00:19:17,030 about pick your own. 369 00:19:17,030 --> 00:19:19,290 I'm happy to talk to you about specifics on that, 370 00:19:19,290 --> 00:19:23,740 but it isn't a normal activity on a farm. 371 00:19:23,740 --> 00:19:28,740 And any time that you allow people to go into the field, 372 00:19:29,310 --> 00:19:32,010 you're opening up a little bit more risk 373 00:19:33,390 --> 00:19:35,560 whether you have a ditch or a hole 374 00:19:35,560 --> 00:19:37,583 that somebody can twist their ankle in. 375 00:19:38,600 --> 00:19:39,910 If you're making it accessible 376 00:19:39,910 --> 00:19:43,680 to people that have disabilities, 377 00:19:43,680 --> 00:19:48,210 those are above and beyond what we would might normally see. 378 00:19:48,210 --> 00:19:50,050 But I think that's more important these days 379 00:19:50,050 --> 00:19:52,833 to make sure that you're making those accommodations. 380 00:19:54,510 --> 00:19:58,270 - Yeah, here's another question that just came in that, 381 00:19:58,270 --> 00:20:00,030 that we might need an attorney for, 382 00:20:00,030 --> 00:20:03,360 but we sort of brought an attorney here, but... 383 00:20:03,360 --> 00:20:04,193 - I am not. 384 00:20:05,590 --> 00:20:06,763 - The question is, 385 00:20:07,600 --> 00:20:11,130 if we as a nonprofit tree nursery post assign 386 00:20:11,130 --> 00:20:13,800 that a visitor enters at their own risk, 387 00:20:13,800 --> 00:20:16,010 are we protected from liability? 388 00:20:16,010 --> 00:20:17,670 And I think we can generalize that 389 00:20:17,670 --> 00:20:20,440 to whether you're a nonprofit or not. 390 00:20:20,440 --> 00:20:22,310 If you're posting a sign 391 00:20:22,310 --> 00:20:24,890 that visitors enter at your own risk, 392 00:20:24,890 --> 00:20:26,733 are you protected from liability? 393 00:20:28,090 --> 00:20:29,390 - The simple answer is no. 394 00:20:29,390 --> 00:20:32,540 But the complicated answer is it helps. 395 00:20:32,540 --> 00:20:35,893 Any attempt to educate your customers 396 00:20:38,270 --> 00:20:40,270 on the risks that they're going to take, 397 00:20:40,270 --> 00:20:42,363 whether it's a sign or a waiver, 398 00:20:43,210 --> 00:20:45,940 I think that it's headed in the right direction, 399 00:20:45,940 --> 00:20:50,180 but by itself, it's just a tool. 400 00:20:50,180 --> 00:20:52,343 It will not solve the problem. 401 00:20:53,810 --> 00:20:55,190 - And I'm gonna add that 402 00:20:55,190 --> 00:20:58,600 there are agritourism limited liability statutes 403 00:20:58,600 --> 00:21:00,133 in several states. 404 00:21:01,160 --> 00:21:04,010 And if your state has one of those, 405 00:21:04,010 --> 00:21:08,300 make sure you get the officially approved sign and post it. 406 00:21:08,300 --> 00:21:10,080 Part of the regulation. 407 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:14,620 Vermont just recently passed legislation 408 00:21:14,620 --> 00:21:18,180 that will go into effect July, 1, 409 00:21:18,180 --> 00:21:20,580 that will add some additional protection 410 00:21:20,580 --> 00:21:22,530 for agritourism operators. 411 00:21:22,530 --> 00:21:24,410 So we're expecting to be working with 412 00:21:24,410 --> 00:21:29,410 the Vermont agency of ag to be distributing signs 413 00:21:29,910 --> 00:21:33,340 and making those available to farms that, 414 00:21:33,340 --> 00:21:35,430 again, these limited liability statutes 415 00:21:35,430 --> 00:21:37,400 that are available in some states, 416 00:21:37,400 --> 00:21:40,893 they provide an additional layer of protection. 417 00:21:43,120 --> 00:21:45,440 If the farm truly is negligent, 418 00:21:45,440 --> 00:21:47,740 they don't go all the way with the protection. 419 00:21:49,270 --> 00:21:52,660 - And I think most of those started in the realm of skiing. 420 00:21:52,660 --> 00:21:55,730 Downhill skiing was one of the first 421 00:21:55,730 --> 00:21:57,210 limited liability businesses 422 00:21:57,210 --> 00:22:01,733 that really started those those rules, those laws. 423 00:22:02,950 --> 00:22:07,440 - Yes, Carrie, do you wanna grab some more questions 424 00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:10,345 from the registration list? 425 00:22:10,345 --> 00:22:12,840 - Sure, I'll ask one question that came in. 426 00:22:12,840 --> 00:22:16,210 Somebody asked what drives the price of liability insurance, 427 00:22:16,210 --> 00:22:20,050 and specifically how summer camps to our helper programs 428 00:22:20,050 --> 00:22:21,500 and children's farm yards 429 00:22:21,500 --> 00:22:24,713 and walking trails might affect their insurance costs? 430 00:22:25,812 --> 00:22:29,830 - Sure, obviously anything that is risky 431 00:22:29,830 --> 00:22:31,840 is possibly more expensive. 432 00:22:31,840 --> 00:22:35,930 So whenever you're working with an activity, 433 00:22:35,930 --> 00:22:40,930 farming is one of the more dangerous businesses to be in, 434 00:22:41,010 --> 00:22:44,010 and then inviting children onto that farm, 435 00:22:44,010 --> 00:22:48,030 it becomes a little bit more, maybe more risk, 436 00:22:48,030 --> 00:22:49,930 but some companies are gonna look at that 437 00:22:49,930 --> 00:22:52,040 a little bit more inviting than others. 438 00:22:52,040 --> 00:22:55,480 So by finding one of those insurers 439 00:22:55,480 --> 00:22:57,660 that are used to insuring farms 440 00:22:57,660 --> 00:22:59,530 and having that type of risk, 441 00:22:59,530 --> 00:23:01,750 they're gonna be a little bit more affordable. 442 00:23:01,750 --> 00:23:03,360 Of course, one of the other things 443 00:23:03,360 --> 00:23:06,560 that drives the pricing is claims. 444 00:23:06,560 --> 00:23:09,380 So a company that has a lot of claims 445 00:23:09,380 --> 00:23:13,690 and a particular business class 446 00:23:13,690 --> 00:23:15,870 will probably have a higher price 447 00:23:15,870 --> 00:23:19,630 to accommodate that pricing, 448 00:23:19,630 --> 00:23:22,310 so that they can afford to pay on claims. 449 00:23:22,310 --> 00:23:24,340 Kind of a mixture between 450 00:23:24,340 --> 00:23:27,343 whenever you have children, livestock. 451 00:23:28,700 --> 00:23:32,070 I think you, you mentioned in that question 452 00:23:32,070 --> 00:23:33,843 that chore helper, 453 00:23:34,890 --> 00:23:36,260 I would assume that chore helper 454 00:23:36,260 --> 00:23:40,870 is meaning helping train kids for what work is 455 00:23:40,870 --> 00:23:43,140 and how to do work and that type of thing. 456 00:23:43,140 --> 00:23:47,423 What chores are being responsible, yeah. 457 00:23:49,650 --> 00:23:52,473 Working with tools, physical labor, 458 00:23:53,330 --> 00:23:57,400 any activity like that is opening up for some risks, 459 00:23:57,400 --> 00:24:02,400 injury, a lot of things going on in that question. 460 00:24:03,730 --> 00:24:04,563 I would just say 461 00:24:04,563 --> 00:24:06,980 that look at each end activity individually. 462 00:24:06,980 --> 00:24:08,780 Anytime you're gonna include kids, 463 00:24:08,780 --> 00:24:12,160 you're gonna have an additional layer of risk, 464 00:24:12,160 --> 00:24:14,170 you're gonna have to plan for the worst 465 00:24:14,170 --> 00:24:16,920 and then train for the best. 466 00:24:16,920 --> 00:24:20,283 - Okay, yeah, always challenging. 467 00:24:21,250 --> 00:24:24,200 Here's another question that came in earlier, 468 00:24:24,200 --> 00:24:26,500 and this is our insurance agent told us 469 00:24:26,500 --> 00:24:28,350 that nationwide would not insures 470 00:24:28,350 --> 00:24:30,640 and many others would not either, 471 00:24:30,640 --> 00:24:33,570 because we host classes and workshops 472 00:24:33,570 --> 00:24:36,733 on occasion that involve working with herbs. 473 00:24:37,590 --> 00:24:38,790 Insurance is pretty expensive 474 00:24:38,790 --> 00:24:41,110 because of this one specific point. 475 00:24:41,110 --> 00:24:43,040 Is there a clear reason for this? 476 00:24:43,040 --> 00:24:46,970 We're not selling homemade herbal products for our farm 477 00:24:46,970 --> 00:24:48,730 and the attendees make their own product 478 00:24:48,730 --> 00:24:51,450 with guidance from an instructor teacher? 479 00:24:51,450 --> 00:24:53,700 Is that something you're able to address Stuart 480 00:24:53,700 --> 00:24:57,160 or get in specific? 481 00:24:57,160 --> 00:24:57,993 We'll make it (indistinct) 482 00:24:57,993 --> 00:24:59,130 - Yeah, no, it's specific. 483 00:24:59,130 --> 00:25:01,490 Yeah, I don't know if that was something 484 00:25:01,490 --> 00:25:04,860 I had faced in the past or not. 485 00:25:04,860 --> 00:25:08,440 I'm sure that's a lot of people growing herbs 486 00:25:08,440 --> 00:25:09,750 and doing that type of activity. 487 00:25:09,750 --> 00:25:12,077 I've heard that from their from their agent 488 00:25:12,077 --> 00:25:13,823 and the companies they represent. 489 00:25:14,900 --> 00:25:19,900 Yeah, it's a training issue as well as the activity. 490 00:25:21,460 --> 00:25:24,320 So anytime you're using herbs 491 00:25:24,320 --> 00:25:27,040 and portraying their powers, maybe, 492 00:25:27,040 --> 00:25:30,910 I think some insurance companies shy away from that activity 493 00:25:31,830 --> 00:25:36,180 in the event that they don't know the enough information. 494 00:25:36,180 --> 00:25:38,910 So they consider it some risks. 495 00:25:40,161 --> 00:25:41,413 Are you making potions? 496 00:25:42,423 --> 00:25:46,810 Are you just putting together some common elixirs in 497 00:25:46,810 --> 00:25:49,010 or you're just making ice tea? 498 00:25:49,010 --> 00:25:50,550 I don't know the details of that, 499 00:25:50,550 --> 00:25:53,530 but, yeah, I guess it comes down to, 500 00:25:53,530 --> 00:25:55,390 the company doesn't know enough information 501 00:25:55,390 --> 00:25:56,870 so they just say no. 502 00:25:56,870 --> 00:25:59,540 But I think the more information 503 00:25:59,540 --> 00:26:03,210 that the insurance company can find out, 504 00:26:03,210 --> 00:26:04,840 the better off that you are 505 00:26:04,840 --> 00:26:06,940 for the answer that you're looking for. 506 00:26:06,940 --> 00:26:11,940 So if you're certified, if you're you're educated in herbs, 507 00:26:12,300 --> 00:26:16,660 if you're capable of mixing up 508 00:26:16,660 --> 00:26:19,590 all those concoctions appropriately, 509 00:26:19,590 --> 00:26:24,590 and you can show that they may be tested, I don't know. 510 00:26:24,610 --> 00:26:29,610 But anytime you can get a third party involved to say, 511 00:26:31,220 --> 00:26:32,820 you know what you're doing, 512 00:26:32,820 --> 00:26:35,550 you're more likely to get coverage. 513 00:26:35,550 --> 00:26:38,220 Even though you may not be mixing something and selling it, 514 00:26:38,220 --> 00:26:41,320 you're still educating somebody else on what you know, 515 00:26:41,320 --> 00:26:45,320 and opening up for risk. 516 00:26:45,320 --> 00:26:46,153 Somebody else can say, 517 00:26:46,153 --> 00:26:48,040 well, you told me I could do this, 518 00:26:48,040 --> 00:26:50,720 and now it's interacting with medication I take, 519 00:26:50,720 --> 00:26:51,743 and I'm injured. 520 00:26:53,033 --> 00:26:54,557 - And I'll ask you another question that came in 521 00:26:54,557 --> 00:26:56,610 through the registration. 522 00:26:56,610 --> 00:27:00,130 This one is in general talking about lack of insurance. 523 00:27:00,130 --> 00:27:00,970 I think it's saying, 524 00:27:00,970 --> 00:27:04,510 will inviting people onto the farm cost us the farm? 525 00:27:04,510 --> 00:27:07,723 - Well, yeah, maybe (laughs) it could. 526 00:27:08,630 --> 00:27:11,180 I think having the appropriate insurance 527 00:27:11,180 --> 00:27:13,480 for the appropriate risk is important. 528 00:27:13,480 --> 00:27:14,800 And I had said in the slide show 529 00:27:14,800 --> 00:27:17,280 that it's important to tell your farm agent 530 00:27:18,300 --> 00:27:23,130 everything that you're doing and they can help you. 531 00:27:23,130 --> 00:27:26,820 So if you're not honest with them, 532 00:27:26,820 --> 00:27:29,350 they're not gonna be able to protect, 533 00:27:29,350 --> 00:27:31,340 they'll sell you the right product 534 00:27:31,340 --> 00:27:33,883 and help you protect your farm. 535 00:27:37,192 --> 00:27:39,570 Liability insurance is probably the least expensive 536 00:27:39,570 --> 00:27:42,100 million dollars you'd ever pay for. 537 00:27:42,100 --> 00:27:45,750 So if you think about it in that respect, 538 00:27:45,750 --> 00:27:48,950 that you can get up to a million dollars 539 00:27:50,230 --> 00:27:52,810 or more depending on how you structure it 540 00:27:53,710 --> 00:27:58,710 for a few hundred in some cases, a few thousand and others, 541 00:27:58,950 --> 00:28:03,070 but that's affordable. 542 00:28:03,070 --> 00:28:07,490 But most people don't view it in that regard. 543 00:28:07,490 --> 00:28:09,510 So I hope that answers that question, 544 00:28:09,510 --> 00:28:10,650 but the answer is, 545 00:28:10,650 --> 00:28:15,650 yes, you could certainly lose the farm it's up recent. 546 00:28:18,280 --> 00:28:20,560 There's been a few cases across the country where, 547 00:28:20,560 --> 00:28:23,810 whether it was a hay ride or a product sales 548 00:28:23,810 --> 00:28:26,470 where people did end up losing the farm, 549 00:28:26,470 --> 00:28:28,343 because of a liability claim. 550 00:28:29,840 --> 00:28:31,330 - I'm gonna say the other flip side though, 551 00:28:31,330 --> 00:28:33,380 is it could help you keep the farm 552 00:28:33,380 --> 00:28:36,020 if you're looking to diversify your income 553 00:28:36,020 --> 00:28:39,500 and really connect with communities and visitors. 554 00:28:39,500 --> 00:28:42,470 So yes, you need to be careful 555 00:28:42,470 --> 00:28:45,520 when you have visitors onto your farm, 556 00:28:45,520 --> 00:28:49,810 but with taking the appropriate precautions, 557 00:28:49,810 --> 00:28:52,210 so many farms are doing it really successfully, 558 00:28:52,210 --> 00:28:54,900 and many of you are here with us today. 559 00:28:54,900 --> 00:28:58,180 - Right, well, I think that's important to say, 560 00:28:58,180 --> 00:29:00,350 because I tend to get negative 561 00:29:01,594 --> 00:29:03,070 when we're talking about that type of thing. 562 00:29:03,070 --> 00:29:07,870 But yes, if you do your homework and work with an agent, 563 00:29:07,870 --> 00:29:09,330 you're gonna pay a little bit of money 564 00:29:09,330 --> 00:29:11,630 to get the proper coverage. 565 00:29:11,630 --> 00:29:14,290 But it doesn't have to cost you the farm 566 00:29:15,525 --> 00:29:19,730 if you're doing your homework and getting that all upfront. 567 00:29:19,730 --> 00:29:22,250 Yeah, it can be a good thing. 568 00:29:22,250 --> 00:29:24,620 And we've seen some excellent operations 569 00:29:24,620 --> 00:29:28,340 as far as agritourism and petting farms. 570 00:29:28,340 --> 00:29:30,240 I was want to stay the petting zoo, 571 00:29:30,240 --> 00:29:31,720 but that's not right. 572 00:29:31,720 --> 00:29:35,050 Yeah, it can be a an excellent operation. 573 00:29:35,050 --> 00:29:37,503 Some people are very attentive to the details. 574 00:29:39,020 --> 00:29:41,290 Here's another question that's in chat. 575 00:29:41,290 --> 00:29:45,780 How in depth should the signage around the farm be? 576 00:29:45,780 --> 00:29:50,193 Thinking about animals, electric fences, hand-washing, 577 00:29:51,070 --> 00:29:56,070 so even beyond the parking area, CSA in store area, 578 00:29:56,220 --> 00:29:59,210 how in depth than how much shine should there be? 579 00:29:59,210 --> 00:30:00,960 - Lisa, this is I think how we met. 580 00:30:01,920 --> 00:30:04,670 We were talking and reviewing farms and their signage. 581 00:30:04,670 --> 00:30:06,620 You had the signs available, 582 00:30:06,620 --> 00:30:11,120 and I have yet to see a farm do too many signs. 583 00:30:11,120 --> 00:30:15,110 So I don't know if that tells you anything about 584 00:30:15,110 --> 00:30:16,550 my view on signage, 585 00:30:16,550 --> 00:30:19,870 but of course, you really need to know your clientele. 586 00:30:19,870 --> 00:30:22,150 If you're putting signs up in English 587 00:30:22,150 --> 00:30:24,180 and they only do is read Spanish, 588 00:30:24,180 --> 00:30:25,760 the signage isn't gonna help you. 589 00:30:25,760 --> 00:30:29,450 So you really need to understand who's coming to your farm, 590 00:30:29,450 --> 00:30:32,070 what you need for signage and make sure it's appropriate. 591 00:30:32,070 --> 00:30:33,880 But for the most part, 592 00:30:33,880 --> 00:30:35,660 I don't think you can have enough signs, 593 00:30:35,660 --> 00:30:37,123 but that's me. 594 00:30:39,520 --> 00:30:43,040 - Yeah, and all that the signs have to all be, 595 00:30:43,040 --> 00:30:45,753 no, don't do this, or don't enter here. 596 00:30:47,510 --> 00:30:49,730 Visitors really appreciate 597 00:30:49,730 --> 00:30:52,990 signage that directs them in positive ways 598 00:30:52,990 --> 00:30:55,360 and let's them understand what's going on 599 00:30:55,360 --> 00:30:58,480 and it can also be fun and educational 600 00:30:58,480 --> 00:31:00,973 with pictures and different languages. 601 00:31:03,347 --> 00:31:04,950 This is actually quite a while ago, 602 00:31:04,950 --> 00:31:09,090 we were able to get some signage through a USDA AFIS grant, 603 00:31:09,090 --> 00:31:12,340 and we still have some of that signage available 604 00:31:12,340 --> 00:31:13,720 and are still giving that out. 605 00:31:13,720 --> 00:31:17,130 So if you think you might need some additional signage 606 00:31:17,130 --> 00:31:18,760 for your farm, 607 00:31:18,760 --> 00:31:20,830 feel free to reach out to us 608 00:31:20,830 --> 00:31:22,430 and we'll see what your needs are 609 00:31:22,430 --> 00:31:24,060 and see what we can provide. 610 00:31:24,060 --> 00:31:27,530 And also, a lot of farms are very creative. 611 00:31:27,530 --> 00:31:30,760 So it doesn't have to cost a lot of money. 612 00:31:30,760 --> 00:31:32,400 A lot of farms are very creative 613 00:31:32,400 --> 00:31:37,400 about handmade signage that really shows the character 614 00:31:38,130 --> 00:31:39,350 and the spirit of the place. 615 00:31:39,350 --> 00:31:42,380 And that's all part of showing your farm 616 00:31:42,380 --> 00:31:43,943 and telling your farm story. 617 00:31:46,000 --> 00:31:47,480 - I'll add to that. 618 00:31:47,480 --> 00:31:51,810 You can Google or go on Amazon and look for a signage. 619 00:31:51,810 --> 00:31:54,810 There are storybooks that are available, 620 00:31:54,810 --> 00:31:58,500 that you can post in your corn maze as an example. 621 00:31:58,500 --> 00:32:01,820 And kids can read a book as they go through the maze. 622 00:32:01,820 --> 00:32:06,364 So each sign would be maybe a page or a paragraph, 623 00:32:06,364 --> 00:32:08,290 and they'll read a whole book by the time they're done, 624 00:32:08,290 --> 00:32:10,970 but there's a lot of signage out there that's like that. 625 00:32:10,970 --> 00:32:15,560 And it keeps people and kids interested in 626 00:32:16,870 --> 00:32:18,880 maybe getting through the maze, 627 00:32:18,880 --> 00:32:21,360 cause it might not depending on the size of it, 628 00:32:21,360 --> 00:32:23,633 but could need something extra. 629 00:32:24,720 --> 00:32:26,020 - Here's another one in chat 630 00:32:26,020 --> 00:32:27,870 which is curious as to how towns 631 00:32:27,870 --> 00:32:31,630 hosting community gardens protect themselves. 632 00:32:31,630 --> 00:32:34,120 Is that something you can address? 633 00:32:34,120 --> 00:32:35,670 - I'm not very well. 634 00:32:35,670 --> 00:32:40,670 Community gardens are a very tough category to ensure. 635 00:32:41,520 --> 00:32:43,183 So you would have to have the right agent 636 00:32:43,183 --> 00:32:47,440 with the right contacts and insurance options. 637 00:32:47,440 --> 00:32:50,130 And it would probably not be a standard market. 638 00:32:50,130 --> 00:32:53,660 It would probably be an excess or surplus lines, 639 00:32:53,660 --> 00:32:56,613 company that would be interested in sharing line. 640 00:32:58,030 --> 00:32:59,870 - All right, any other, let's see, 641 00:32:59,870 --> 00:33:03,180 I think there was a question in chat way at the beginning. 642 00:33:03,180 --> 00:33:06,950 And again, I don't know if this is something you can answer. 643 00:33:06,950 --> 00:33:09,870 We are having difficulty finding workers' comp, 644 00:33:09,870 --> 00:33:12,020 suggestions on what to do there. 645 00:33:12,020 --> 00:33:13,500 And I'm gonna say, 646 00:33:13,500 --> 00:33:17,260 well, I'm directing these questions to Stuart. 647 00:33:17,260 --> 00:33:20,820 All of you may have experience and answers yourself. 648 00:33:20,820 --> 00:33:23,320 So feel free to type into chat 649 00:33:23,320 --> 00:33:25,160 or raise your hand and we'll unmute you 650 00:33:25,160 --> 00:33:26,950 and help us out here, 651 00:33:26,950 --> 00:33:30,098 especially when we're not sure of the answers. 652 00:33:30,098 --> 00:33:34,280 - So as far as worker's camp and finding it, 653 00:33:34,280 --> 00:33:37,660 it's the same question as to 654 00:33:37,660 --> 00:33:39,260 how do you find farm insurance 655 00:33:39,260 --> 00:33:40,710 in the right agent ethics thing. 656 00:33:40,710 --> 00:33:43,180 So you've got to find somebody that you can work with, 657 00:33:43,180 --> 00:33:45,970 somebody who's interested in helping you. 658 00:33:45,970 --> 00:33:49,580 Usually the farm insurance specialists, 659 00:33:49,580 --> 00:33:51,740 elite farm certified people with nationwide 660 00:33:51,740 --> 00:33:55,050 or other companies are going to be the ones 661 00:33:55,050 --> 00:33:56,253 that know what you need. 662 00:33:57,860 --> 00:34:00,890 If you just asking, you know, 663 00:34:00,890 --> 00:34:01,860 run of the mill agent, 664 00:34:01,860 --> 00:34:05,280 they may not have any experience with farming specific 665 00:34:05,280 --> 00:34:07,950 and may not be interested in helping. 666 00:34:07,950 --> 00:34:10,603 So their initial answer is no, I don't have that. 667 00:34:11,640 --> 00:34:14,740 Yeah, I would recommend finding agent 668 00:34:15,860 --> 00:34:18,930 that specializes or knows farming. 669 00:34:18,930 --> 00:34:20,270 Then, they can help you a little better. 670 00:34:20,270 --> 00:34:23,440 But that's a question that's gonna depend on your state 671 00:34:23,440 --> 00:34:25,960 and what the requirements there are. 672 00:34:25,960 --> 00:34:28,760 Some states have exemptions 673 00:34:28,760 --> 00:34:32,460 where they don't require workers' comp 674 00:34:32,460 --> 00:34:35,870 within the first amount of payroll 675 00:34:35,870 --> 00:34:38,930 and some states require it for the first dollar paid. 676 00:34:38,930 --> 00:34:41,530 So it's going to depend on the state that you're in. 677 00:34:42,980 --> 00:34:45,740 There was another question about whether insurance, 678 00:34:45,740 --> 00:34:47,360 if insurance is mandatory, 679 00:34:47,360 --> 00:34:52,360 or if customers need to have a sign, a waiver, 680 00:34:55,150 --> 00:34:58,290 to address whether or not you need insurance, 681 00:34:58,290 --> 00:35:01,120 that's between you and maybe your lender. 682 00:35:01,120 --> 00:35:03,750 So if you have a bank involved 683 00:35:03,750 --> 00:35:06,820 that requires you to have insurance on buildings 684 00:35:06,820 --> 00:35:08,993 or an activity of, 685 00:35:10,650 --> 00:35:14,280 like if you have a farm and you owe money on the home, 686 00:35:14,280 --> 00:35:17,210 but everything else is owned free and clear, 687 00:35:17,210 --> 00:35:19,410 you may have a homeowners policy. 688 00:35:19,410 --> 00:35:21,580 Not all homeowners companies 689 00:35:21,580 --> 00:35:23,700 are interested in ensuring a farm operation. 690 00:35:23,700 --> 00:35:28,700 So it's important to know upfront with your insurer, 691 00:35:28,930 --> 00:35:31,680 if they allow those businesses to be run from the home. 692 00:35:32,890 --> 00:35:37,000 As far as insurance being mandatory in general, 693 00:35:37,000 --> 00:35:38,050 it depends on what you're doing. 694 00:35:38,050 --> 00:35:39,700 If you're selling at a farmer's market, 695 00:35:39,700 --> 00:35:42,180 that market may require insurance. 696 00:35:42,180 --> 00:35:46,200 If you're selling wholesale to a business 697 00:35:46,200 --> 00:35:50,250 and your strawberries are to the local store, 698 00:35:50,250 --> 00:35:52,310 they may require you to have insurance 699 00:35:52,310 --> 00:35:55,270 and supply them with proof of insurance. 700 00:35:55,270 --> 00:35:58,690 But in general, it's a good idea, I think, 701 00:35:58,690 --> 00:36:00,603 to have insurance for your business. 702 00:36:01,490 --> 00:36:04,340 If you think of your farm as a business, in every case, 703 00:36:04,340 --> 00:36:06,570 then that would be the answer that I would say. 704 00:36:06,570 --> 00:36:09,230 But I think a lot of people, 705 00:36:09,230 --> 00:36:12,260 if you're just selling cucumbers in the season, 706 00:36:12,260 --> 00:36:13,640 cause you have an overabundance 707 00:36:13,640 --> 00:36:16,830 when they start ripening on the vine, 708 00:36:16,830 --> 00:36:20,840 then your homeowners may cover that, 709 00:36:20,840 --> 00:36:23,263 but again, you would need to ask your agent. 710 00:36:24,490 --> 00:36:27,390 As far as a waiver, 711 00:36:27,390 --> 00:36:29,753 I think waivers are our great tool, 712 00:36:30,810 --> 00:36:33,600 and they certainly serve a need. 713 00:36:33,600 --> 00:36:38,600 And you should review the waiver with maybe some counsel, 714 00:36:40,360 --> 00:36:43,680 if you have a lawyer that you know and trust, 715 00:36:43,680 --> 00:36:48,680 or maybe I know that the extension has been involved 716 00:36:48,750 --> 00:36:52,890 in some cases with helping people with waivers 717 00:36:52,890 --> 00:36:54,670 and discussing the details on that. 718 00:36:54,670 --> 00:36:56,950 But waivers are very specific to each state. 719 00:36:56,950 --> 00:36:59,820 If you don't have the right wording in each case, 720 00:36:59,820 --> 00:37:03,360 then they can absolutely serve no purpose whatsoever, 721 00:37:03,360 --> 00:37:06,400 but I think it's important to get good advice 722 00:37:06,400 --> 00:37:09,670 from somebody that's knowledgeable about what it says 723 00:37:09,670 --> 00:37:10,870 and how it protects you. 724 00:37:11,730 --> 00:37:14,370 - One of the questions that showed up in chats 725 00:37:14,370 --> 00:37:17,980 that's relatively specific, but is an important one, 726 00:37:17,980 --> 00:37:21,330 is how would a guest be covered while volunteering 727 00:37:21,330 --> 00:37:23,853 at say a nonprofit tree nursery? 728 00:37:27,050 --> 00:37:29,747 - That's a case that I've actually had happen. 729 00:37:30,650 --> 00:37:32,460 I think it's a state specific question, 730 00:37:32,460 --> 00:37:36,160 as well as a specific insurance company question. 731 00:37:36,160 --> 00:37:41,160 Some companies require if they're writing your workers' comp 732 00:37:41,220 --> 00:37:42,930 or farm insurance, 733 00:37:42,930 --> 00:37:47,930 they may require you to ensure your volunteers as employees. 734 00:37:48,630 --> 00:37:52,050 So you really need to know what their requirements are 735 00:37:52,050 --> 00:37:53,970 and how they deal with that. 736 00:37:53,970 --> 00:37:55,120 Some companies don't. 737 00:37:55,120 --> 00:38:00,120 So if you're paying your volunteers with some produce 738 00:38:00,910 --> 00:38:05,560 and maybe I don't know, maple syrup is a common one, 739 00:38:05,560 --> 00:38:07,270 then that's a form of pay. 740 00:38:07,270 --> 00:38:09,330 If they're truly just a volunteer 741 00:38:09,330 --> 00:38:11,013 and they get nothing in return, 742 00:38:14,019 --> 00:38:15,240 it may be okay in that state 743 00:38:15,240 --> 00:38:17,750 and your farm policy 744 00:38:17,750 --> 00:38:22,280 may have some ability to pick up some liability on that. 745 00:38:22,280 --> 00:38:24,950 But you would have to really have a good discussion 746 00:38:24,950 --> 00:38:28,200 with your agent and figure out what is covered 747 00:38:28,200 --> 00:38:31,023 and what isn't and how you need to address that. 748 00:38:32,430 --> 00:38:34,233 But volunteers in general, 749 00:38:35,330 --> 00:38:38,556 there isn't any way to say, oh yeah, volunteers are great. 750 00:38:38,556 --> 00:38:39,670 Volunteers are great. 751 00:38:39,670 --> 00:38:42,380 There aren't enough volunteers in the world, I don't think. 752 00:38:42,380 --> 00:38:46,430 But it's a good way to get people familiar with farming. 753 00:38:46,430 --> 00:38:47,770 And they fall in love with it. 754 00:38:47,770 --> 00:38:49,610 They get their own farm, that type of thing. 755 00:38:49,610 --> 00:38:52,927 But yeah, it's specific to the state 756 00:38:52,927 --> 00:38:55,860 and the companies that you're involved with. 757 00:38:55,860 --> 00:38:58,540 - Here's another question that came in early, 758 00:38:58,540 --> 00:39:00,780 came in through an email, 759 00:39:00,780 --> 00:39:04,480 is our board needs a clear definition of insurance. 760 00:39:04,480 --> 00:39:09,480 We should have sources for waivers of liability forms, 761 00:39:10,020 --> 00:39:15,020 because we are starting with a specific nonprofit mission. 762 00:39:16,520 --> 00:39:21,520 So recommendations for a board of a non-profit farm 763 00:39:22,280 --> 00:39:24,833 do not leave themselves vulnerable. 764 00:39:26,030 --> 00:39:28,273 What are your suggestions there? 765 00:39:29,660 --> 00:39:31,960 - Again, nonprofits are a very different 766 00:39:31,960 --> 00:39:35,260 than a mom and pop owned a facility. 767 00:39:35,260 --> 00:39:39,960 So I think 98% of farms in the United States 768 00:39:39,960 --> 00:39:41,560 are owned by individuals. 769 00:39:41,560 --> 00:39:46,560 So a nonprofit is not the common farm view. 770 00:39:48,960 --> 00:39:51,590 I mean, it's not the one that you find in every case. 771 00:39:51,590 --> 00:39:53,550 So it's specific to your state 772 00:39:53,550 --> 00:39:55,660 and it'll be specific 773 00:39:55,660 --> 00:39:57,900 to the company that's looking and ensuring it. 774 00:39:57,900 --> 00:39:59,150 You would have to work with them 775 00:39:59,150 --> 00:40:02,030 to find out what they'll accept 776 00:40:02,030 --> 00:40:03,510 and what they were willing to ensure 777 00:40:03,510 --> 00:40:06,040 as far as protecting the board. 778 00:40:06,040 --> 00:40:10,660 Anytime you have a board and a nonprofit, 779 00:40:10,660 --> 00:40:12,720 whether it's for-profit or non-profit, 780 00:40:12,720 --> 00:40:14,770 a board needs protections on their own. 781 00:40:14,770 --> 00:40:16,640 So there are insurance coverages 782 00:40:16,640 --> 00:40:20,550 where the board itself directors and officers coverages, 783 00:40:20,550 --> 00:40:24,920 in addition to the activity of the farm itself. 784 00:40:24,920 --> 00:40:28,710 It adds another layer of complication to ensuring a farm, 785 00:40:28,710 --> 00:40:33,033 but certainly doable with the right agent. 786 00:40:33,890 --> 00:40:37,000 I know that's not gonna answer the question (laughs) 787 00:40:38,198 --> 00:40:39,031 That one's a tough one 788 00:40:39,031 --> 00:40:41,187 cause it really depends on where you are. 789 00:40:42,387 --> 00:40:45,540 - And I have another question I'll ask that came in early 790 00:40:45,540 --> 00:40:46,840 in the registration. 791 00:40:46,840 --> 00:40:48,840 Someone asked, I would like to know the basics 792 00:40:48,840 --> 00:40:51,010 about liability coverage for farm education 793 00:40:51,010 --> 00:40:52,953 and what is recommended or necessary. 794 00:40:54,360 --> 00:40:56,290 - I think Working, you know, 795 00:40:56,290 --> 00:40:59,113 previous work history on a farm is certainly helpful. 796 00:41:00,700 --> 00:41:01,780 If you're gonna grow vegetables 797 00:41:01,780 --> 00:41:05,200 and you worked on a vegetable farm for a year or two, 798 00:41:05,200 --> 00:41:07,500 that's certainly going to help in saying, 799 00:41:07,500 --> 00:41:11,810 you have experience, if I think that's the question. 800 00:41:11,810 --> 00:41:13,640 But anytime you have experience 801 00:41:13,640 --> 00:41:17,320 in doing whatever you're looking to start a business in, 802 00:41:17,320 --> 00:41:18,510 whether it was your business 803 00:41:18,510 --> 00:41:20,360 or somebody else's that you work for, 804 00:41:21,659 --> 00:41:25,990 that's going to be what a company is gonna be looking for. 805 00:41:25,990 --> 00:41:28,490 If you have college experience 806 00:41:28,490 --> 00:41:33,050 and you majored in something like herd health, 807 00:41:33,050 --> 00:41:36,920 or, you know, those things are gonna go a long way. 808 00:41:36,920 --> 00:41:40,170 I know companies now and insurance companies 809 00:41:40,170 --> 00:41:42,253 also look for certifications. 810 00:41:43,270 --> 00:41:45,590 So anytime you get certified in activity, 811 00:41:45,590 --> 00:41:50,220 whether it's food safety, FISMA, HASEP, GAP, 812 00:41:52,830 --> 00:41:54,670 yeah, all those things are gonna go a long way 813 00:41:54,670 --> 00:41:57,653 in helping the insurance company feel comfortable. 814 00:41:59,520 --> 00:42:02,430 - Another question that came in earlier was, 815 00:42:02,430 --> 00:42:04,830 are there special considerations 816 00:42:04,830 --> 00:42:07,260 for visits by special needs youth 817 00:42:07,260 --> 00:42:09,040 or traumatized youth 818 00:42:09,040 --> 00:42:13,543 visiting through their nonprofit service providers? 819 00:42:15,080 --> 00:42:19,200 - So I think there are special circumstances 820 00:42:19,200 --> 00:42:23,590 that you need to work with them, work with that provider 821 00:42:23,590 --> 00:42:27,130 and find out what you need to do to accommodate. 822 00:42:27,130 --> 00:42:29,303 I do ensure some horse operations, 823 00:42:29,303 --> 00:42:33,640 I do special needs lessons 824 00:42:33,640 --> 00:42:36,093 with hands-on experience with horses, 825 00:42:37,977 --> 00:42:39,200 they work very closely 826 00:42:40,637 --> 00:42:43,710 with the services that they're providing the service for, 827 00:42:43,710 --> 00:42:46,896 as well as the understanding the kids, 828 00:42:46,896 --> 00:42:50,170 or the adults that they're they're doing in that activity. 829 00:42:50,170 --> 00:42:55,170 I think you really have to plan that type of activity. 830 00:42:55,460 --> 00:43:00,460 You have to plan a bit more in that type of activity 831 00:43:00,670 --> 00:43:02,540 than you would otherwise. 832 00:43:02,540 --> 00:43:06,603 Just to understand what is involved and what you need to do. 833 00:43:09,290 --> 00:43:12,210 But I don't see it as a, 834 00:43:12,210 --> 00:43:13,560 I don't see it as the roadblock. 835 00:43:13,560 --> 00:43:15,320 I would say that that's definitely something 836 00:43:15,320 --> 00:43:18,493 that you can plan and accommodate. 837 00:43:19,540 --> 00:43:22,053 If you can do it in a horse operation, 838 00:43:22,053 --> 00:43:24,503 she should be able to do it with pick your own strawberries, 839 00:43:25,869 --> 00:43:26,869 but they don't bite. 840 00:43:28,630 --> 00:43:31,430 - All right, I don't see any more questions 841 00:43:31,430 --> 00:43:32,893 in the chat right now. 842 00:43:34,730 --> 00:43:37,740 So we have a survey for you. 843 00:43:37,740 --> 00:43:38,850 We wanna check in with you 844 00:43:38,850 --> 00:43:41,070 and find out how this worked out for you. 845 00:43:41,070 --> 00:43:44,140 So Carrie is gonna drop the survey link 846 00:43:44,140 --> 00:43:45,670 into the chat right now. 847 00:43:45,670 --> 00:43:48,960 And if you're willing to take just a couple of minutes 848 00:43:48,960 --> 00:43:51,610 to fill out this survey link. 849 00:43:51,610 --> 00:43:52,850 While we're doing that, 850 00:43:52,850 --> 00:43:54,930 I'll make some closing remarks. 851 00:43:54,930 --> 00:43:57,600 And Stuart, do you wanna make any closing remarks? 852 00:43:57,600 --> 00:43:59,867 - Yeah, I think there was a question... 853 00:44:00,809 --> 00:44:02,309 While people are doing the survey, 854 00:44:02,309 --> 00:44:05,330 there was some comment earlier in, 855 00:44:05,330 --> 00:44:07,200 one of the other questions I didn't address 856 00:44:07,200 --> 00:44:08,620 about walking trails. 857 00:44:08,620 --> 00:44:12,750 I know lot of farms have a lot of acreage. 858 00:44:12,750 --> 00:44:16,080 It's wonderful when they share that with people. 859 00:44:16,080 --> 00:44:20,110 And I think it gives a lot of goodwill 860 00:44:20,110 --> 00:44:25,110 for people to see and understand farms 861 00:44:25,330 --> 00:44:27,870 and that they're trying to educate. 862 00:44:27,870 --> 00:44:29,870 So walking trails are great. 863 00:44:29,870 --> 00:44:33,610 And again, signage, that type of thing is important, 864 00:44:33,610 --> 00:44:35,930 but if you do a walking trail, 865 00:44:35,930 --> 00:44:38,117 make sure your insure understands that you're doing it 866 00:44:38,117 --> 00:44:40,350 and that it's open to the public. 867 00:44:40,350 --> 00:44:42,070 If you're doing cross country skiing 868 00:44:42,070 --> 00:44:45,150 or any other activities on those trails, 869 00:44:45,150 --> 00:44:47,690 a lot of insurance companies allow it 870 00:44:47,690 --> 00:44:50,070 and may not even charge for it. 871 00:44:50,070 --> 00:44:52,950 But if they don't know about it, 872 00:44:52,950 --> 00:44:55,743 they don't even have a chance to help you with it. 873 00:44:56,600 --> 00:45:01,600 I think it's necessary to talk about all those things 874 00:45:01,620 --> 00:45:05,300 whether you think it's insignificant or significant. 875 00:45:05,300 --> 00:45:07,930 But I think those things need to be discussed, 876 00:45:07,930 --> 00:45:10,830 but walking trails, I think are fantastic. 877 00:45:10,830 --> 00:45:13,250 Bicycles are getting more and more popular 878 00:45:13,250 --> 00:45:17,300 also as on-farm activity. 879 00:45:17,300 --> 00:45:21,240 And I think more and more farmers are actually using that 880 00:45:21,240 --> 00:45:23,660 to their advantage of selling product 881 00:45:23,660 --> 00:45:26,460 as well as charging for the trails that they might have. 882 00:45:28,083 --> 00:45:30,640 - And I think there's always a little bit of tension 883 00:45:30,640 --> 00:45:33,960 as a farmer when you're opening up your farm too. 884 00:45:33,960 --> 00:45:36,200 Well, should I mention this to my insurance agent? 885 00:45:36,200 --> 00:45:39,440 It's just people coming here for a walk or, 886 00:45:39,440 --> 00:45:41,240 and, you know, if I mentioned it, 887 00:45:41,240 --> 00:45:43,110 how much more are they gonna charge me? 888 00:45:43,110 --> 00:45:45,640 So I think there's a little bit of a tension of, 889 00:45:45,640 --> 00:45:47,900 do I really have to bring it up 890 00:45:47,900 --> 00:45:52,620 or can it just kinda happen and everything will be okay? 891 00:45:52,620 --> 00:45:54,350 - Well, I'm glad you brought that up 892 00:45:54,350 --> 00:45:56,420 because quite frankly, 893 00:45:56,420 --> 00:45:59,670 I've been hearing that more lately than I had ever before. 894 00:45:59,670 --> 00:46:03,480 If you don't have an open dialogue with your agent, 895 00:46:03,480 --> 00:46:06,110 the worst question that could be asked is, 896 00:46:06,110 --> 00:46:07,300 was I covered for that? 897 00:46:07,300 --> 00:46:10,110 And to have that to be no, 898 00:46:10,110 --> 00:46:12,720 which could be the answer, 899 00:46:12,720 --> 00:46:14,600 means you're paying out of pocket for that. 900 00:46:14,600 --> 00:46:16,730 And the whole purpose of having insurance 901 00:46:16,730 --> 00:46:17,900 is to share in the risks. 902 00:46:17,900 --> 00:46:21,060 So if you're not gonna be open 903 00:46:21,060 --> 00:46:24,473 and discuss those risks with your agents, 904 00:46:24,473 --> 00:46:28,170 then I think that you're missing the mark on 905 00:46:28,170 --> 00:46:29,860 why you have it in the first place. 906 00:46:29,860 --> 00:46:34,860 So if you want to share that risk, 907 00:46:35,000 --> 00:46:38,140 then I think that to be honest is the best policy 908 00:46:38,140 --> 00:46:39,520 on that one. 909 00:46:39,520 --> 00:46:43,840 But, yeah, the insurance companies are gonna charge 910 00:46:43,840 --> 00:46:47,323 for everything individually and for the most part. 911 00:46:49,050 --> 00:46:51,790 - Say, I'm gonna give one final bit of advice 912 00:46:51,790 --> 00:46:54,190 that I don't know, Stuart how you feel about this, 913 00:46:54,190 --> 00:46:56,590 but I always tell farm shop around, 914 00:46:56,590 --> 00:46:59,030 especially when they're looking for, you know, 915 00:46:59,030 --> 00:47:00,670 looking for their insurance. 916 00:47:00,670 --> 00:47:02,100 Call a few different agents, 917 00:47:02,100 --> 00:47:05,710 and talk to your neighbors, talk to farmers, 918 00:47:05,710 --> 00:47:08,150 see who they like, have a few agents come over, 919 00:47:08,150 --> 00:47:10,230 visit your farm, talk to them, 920 00:47:10,230 --> 00:47:12,150 look at the policies and the prices, 921 00:47:12,150 --> 00:47:15,570 and also look at, you know, which agents you feel, 922 00:47:15,570 --> 00:47:18,370 have your back and really understand what you're doing. 923 00:47:18,370 --> 00:47:21,800 - So as a service to my clients, 924 00:47:21,800 --> 00:47:23,910 if they get a quote from somebody else 925 00:47:23,910 --> 00:47:28,910 and they they're thinking about taking it, I offer a review. 926 00:47:30,270 --> 00:47:32,860 I'm probably an oddity in that regard. 927 00:47:32,860 --> 00:47:35,180 Cause I'd rather have somebody happy 928 00:47:35,180 --> 00:47:37,013 and to have the right coverage 929 00:47:37,013 --> 00:47:39,600 than to not have it at all. 930 00:47:39,600 --> 00:47:41,720 I offer them a review, 931 00:47:41,720 --> 00:47:43,920 whether they're coming to me or leaving me, 932 00:47:43,920 --> 00:47:48,020 but I wanna make sure that they have the right coverage 933 00:47:48,020 --> 00:47:50,230 and that they're comparing apples to apples. 934 00:47:50,230 --> 00:47:52,363 A lot of agents, I wouldn't say a lot. 935 00:47:54,026 --> 00:47:55,140 I've run into a few agents 936 00:47:55,140 --> 00:47:58,740 that may not have been above board with the coverages 937 00:47:58,740 --> 00:48:00,450 and not every company is the same. 938 00:48:00,450 --> 00:48:04,740 So I would say if you can find a mutual insurance company, 939 00:48:04,740 --> 00:48:07,560 that would be the first thing I would look for. 940 00:48:07,560 --> 00:48:11,520 And then they're more likely to pay on a claim 941 00:48:11,520 --> 00:48:15,830 than for-profit stockholder owned company. 942 00:48:15,830 --> 00:48:18,560 It's not easy to pick those types of things 943 00:48:18,560 --> 00:48:20,580 when there were only a few providers out there 944 00:48:20,580 --> 00:48:21,623 for farms anyway. 945 00:48:22,610 --> 00:48:25,820 - All right, well, Stuart, I'm gonna put up a final slide 946 00:48:25,820 --> 00:48:27,730 with a couple of closing remarks, 947 00:48:27,730 --> 00:48:29,710 unless you have anything you want to add 948 00:48:29,710 --> 00:48:31,870 or any questions that we missed? 949 00:48:31,870 --> 00:48:36,140 - Would it be great to see the results of this poll. 950 00:48:36,140 --> 00:48:37,860 - Okay, yes, oh, and I should mention 951 00:48:37,860 --> 00:48:40,030 this survey is anonymous. 952 00:48:40,030 --> 00:48:42,850 So say whatever you want. 953 00:48:42,850 --> 00:48:45,090 We don't know who's answering yet. 954 00:48:45,090 --> 00:48:47,240 The link is in chat. 955 00:48:47,240 --> 00:48:49,200 I got to move to the next slide here. 956 00:48:49,200 --> 00:48:52,010 Let's say, yeah, the link for the survey is in chat. 957 00:48:52,010 --> 00:48:55,050 So please take a moment now to fill it out. 958 00:48:55,050 --> 00:48:58,340 We are recording this and we will send an email afterwards, 959 00:48:58,340 --> 00:49:00,650 as soon as the recording is posted. 960 00:49:00,650 --> 00:49:01,700 And in that email, 961 00:49:01,700 --> 00:49:03,590 we'll also send out a bunch of links 962 00:49:03,590 --> 00:49:05,363 that we put into chat today. 963 00:49:06,380 --> 00:49:07,790 The link to the signage 964 00:49:07,790 --> 00:49:10,790 and the limited liability statute, 965 00:49:10,790 --> 00:49:13,720 and some of the other resources that we posted 966 00:49:13,720 --> 00:49:16,780 will include that information in the email. 967 00:49:16,780 --> 00:49:20,883 We do have a few more of these weekly sessions coming up. 968 00:49:21,730 --> 00:49:23,710 Next week on June 1st, 969 00:49:23,710 --> 00:49:26,020 again, a Tuesday, these are all Tuesdays, 970 00:49:26,020 --> 00:49:28,040 we'll be back in the evening 971 00:49:28,040 --> 00:49:30,207 talking about cultivating farm 972 00:49:30,207 --> 00:49:32,010 and food safety for visitors, 973 00:49:32,010 --> 00:49:34,840 and we've got a food safety expert 974 00:49:34,840 --> 00:49:38,440 and some others that University of New Hampshire Extension 975 00:49:38,440 --> 00:49:41,820 that have taken some videos of farms there, 976 00:49:41,820 --> 00:49:43,920 and there'll be showing some of the best practices, 977 00:49:43,920 --> 00:49:45,760 and you'll also hear from the farmers. 978 00:49:45,760 --> 00:49:48,400 And then the following week June 8th, 979 00:49:48,400 --> 00:49:49,620 time to be determined, 980 00:49:49,620 --> 00:49:51,940 we'll be talking about farm-based education 981 00:49:51,940 --> 00:49:53,840 in a post COVID world. 982 00:49:53,840 --> 00:49:56,670 And that will be led by Vera Simon-Nobes 983 00:49:56,670 --> 00:50:00,790 from Shelburne Farms and the Farm-Based Education Network. 984 00:50:00,790 --> 00:50:03,840 And then the following Tuesday, 985 00:50:03,840 --> 00:50:06,760 we've got Penn State Extension 986 00:50:06,760 --> 00:50:09,530 organizing another session and that's at 2 O'clock 987 00:50:09,530 --> 00:50:13,210 and that will be on Overnight Farm Stays 988 00:50:13,210 --> 00:50:14,270 and Farm Tours. 989 00:50:14,270 --> 00:50:16,980 And the got another great speaker. 990 00:50:16,980 --> 00:50:20,280 They kicked off this series on pick your own 991 00:50:20,280 --> 00:50:21,840 and they've got another great speaker 992 00:50:21,840 --> 00:50:25,860 who's also a farmer that's lined up for June 15th. 993 00:50:25,860 --> 00:50:29,810 And then, you know, we'll see if you have ideas for topics. 994 00:50:29,810 --> 00:50:30,643 Let us know. 995 00:50:30,643 --> 00:50:33,290 We know this is a really busy time for everyone. 996 00:50:33,290 --> 00:50:35,980 So we may take a break from these, 997 00:50:35,980 --> 00:50:40,160 but we'll be continuing with the on-farm visits. 998 00:50:40,160 --> 00:50:43,100 Some of you may have already met with Chadley Hollis, 999 00:50:43,100 --> 00:50:44,860 who I think is here with us. 1000 00:50:44,860 --> 00:50:47,940 And Chadley are you around to say a couple of words 1001 00:50:47,940 --> 00:50:51,170 about the on-farm visits that you've been doing? 1002 00:50:51,170 --> 00:50:54,620 - [Chadley] I am, thank you for introducing me. 1003 00:50:54,620 --> 00:50:56,530 I am Chadley. 1004 00:50:56,530 --> 00:50:59,060 I am doing on-farm assessments 1005 00:51:00,190 --> 00:51:03,740 regarding safety in the Northeast region. 1006 00:51:03,740 --> 00:51:06,780 So wherever you are in the Northeast, 1007 00:51:06,780 --> 00:51:08,330 if you're on this call, 1008 00:51:08,330 --> 00:51:10,940 I am able and willing to come see you. 1009 00:51:10,940 --> 00:51:14,630 I believe a link was put into the chat 1010 00:51:14,630 --> 00:51:17,493 where you can sign up for a visit. 1011 00:51:18,580 --> 00:51:21,260 Currently, I've got a long trip plan to Maine, 1012 00:51:21,260 --> 00:51:22,770 that's actually already sewed up, 1013 00:51:22,770 --> 00:51:24,230 but I'm planning a second trip, 1014 00:51:24,230 --> 00:51:27,200 because we've got so many farms in Maine 1015 00:51:27,200 --> 00:51:29,080 that are interested. 1016 00:51:29,080 --> 00:51:30,950 Yeah, gonna keep planning things. 1017 00:51:30,950 --> 00:51:33,770 I'll likely be coming to your state 1018 00:51:33,770 --> 00:51:35,670 in the next few months. 1019 00:51:35,670 --> 00:51:39,233 Fill out the signup form and I'll be in touch with you. 1020 00:51:39,233 --> 00:51:41,150 Thank you, Lisa. 1021 00:51:41,150 --> 00:51:44,320 - All right, and I wanna close by thanking Stuart 1022 00:51:44,320 --> 00:51:47,130 and thanking all of you for joining us today 1023 00:51:47,130 --> 00:51:49,530 and sending us those questions in advance 1024 00:51:49,530 --> 00:51:50,883 and putting them in chat. 1025 00:51:52,140 --> 00:51:53,310 We hope this was helpful 1026 00:51:53,310 --> 00:51:55,300 and hope to see you next week. 1027 00:51:55,300 --> 00:51:56,133 - Thank you.