Agritourism and Accessibility: NALC webinar will explore Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for farm operators
By Drew Viguet
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture
May 12, 2025
Fast facts:
- NALC webinar highlights Americans with Disabilities Act
- Penn State’s Jackie Schweichler will present
- Registration is online
(352 words)
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — There are a lot of factors for agritourism operators to consider when operating hayrides, pumpkin patches, campsites, orchards and more — with a big one being accessibility for visitors.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s most recent Census of Agriculture, U.S. farms and ranches generated $1.26 billion in income from agritourism services in 2022. This was an increase of almost 13 percent from 2017 after adjusting for inflation.
Jackie Schweichler, a staff attorney at the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, says it is important for owners of agritourism operations to ensure they are following guidelines set forth by the ADA, or the Americans with Disabilities Act. Established in 1990, the ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability.
“Physical accessibility, transportation, signage, guidelines for service animals — these are just some of the factors for agribusiness owners to consider in making sure they are following standards set forth by the ADA,” Schweichler said. “Farmers and agritourism operators who invite the public onto their property may not realize the full scope of their obligations under the ADA.”
Shweichler will review these obligations and what agribusiness operators need to know in a May 21 webinar from the National Agricultural Law Center, or NALC. The webinar, “Navigating ADA Compliance for Agritourism Guests," will begin at 11 a.m. Central/Noon Eastern and is free of charge to attend.
“Agritourism is a unique part of the agricultural sector, and one that is growing tremendously,” said NALC Director Harrison Pittman. “We’re looking forward to hearing Jackie update attendees on some of the key obligations that come with running these types of businesses.”
Pittman emphasized that the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law is a longtime partner of the NALC.
“The NALC was established by Congress to serve as the nation’s leading source of agricultural and food law research and information,” he said. “Our partnership with the team at Penn State is an important and ongoing part of how we help fulfill that mission.”
Registration is available at no cost online at nationalaglawcenter.org/webinars/ada-for-agritourism.
For additional resources on agritourism, visit the NALC’s Agritourism Reading Room at nationalaglawcenter.org/research-by-topic/agritourism-2.
Subscribe online to receive NALC Communications, including webinar announcements, the NALC’s Quarterly Newsletter, and The Feed.
About the National Agricultural Law Center
Created by Congress in 1987, the National Agricultural Law Center serves as the nation’s leading source of agricultural and food law research and information. The NALC works with producers, agribusinesses, state and federal policymakers, lenders, Congressional staffers, attorneys, land grant universities, students, and many others to provide objective, nonpartisan agricultural and food law research and information to the nation’s agricultural community.
The NALC is a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and works in close partnership with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Agricultural Library.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media contact:
Drew Viguet
Communications & Special Projects Coordinator
National Agricultural Law Center
dviguet@uark.edu