Kansas Agritourism Promotion Program
Agritourism is when the public visits a working farm, ranch, winery or any agricultural operation or active agricultural heritage site for enjoyment, outdoor recreation, activities, education, shopping, dining or lodging. These visits generate income for the operators, which can help sustain the rural way of life and help keep more producers on our Kansas lands.
What this program does
The Kansas Agritourism Promotion Act, KSA 74-50, was passed by the Kansas Legislature in 2004. The purpose of the act is to promote the growth of the agritourism industry in Kansas. This is achieved by the following:
- The creation of a registration process through which the state can assist in the promotion of agritourism operations
- Limiting liability through signage, which advises visitors of inherent risks
How this program works
Eligible entities include all Kansas working farm, ranch, winery or agricultural operations or active agricultural heritage sites that open their property to the public for enjoyment, outdoor recreation, activities, education, shopping, dining or lodging.
The act requires a voluntary registration process of agritourism operations in Kansas to be kept by the Kansas Department of Commerce. The registration must include a description of the agritourism activity/activities conducted and the location of the agritourism operation. There is no fee for registration, and the list will be made available to the public by the Department of Commerce. All registered operations will be promoted by the Department of Commerce in conjunction with all other tourism and rural development promotions. Registration is valid for five years.
Limited liability is afforded through signage. Warning signage must be prominently posted at each agritourism location. The posted warning signage must be the specific language as set forth in the act. The warning signage provides that participants are assuming responsibility of inherent risks. The agritourism promotion act does NOT limit the liability of willful or wanton conduct by any agritourism operators.
Agritourism operations must be registered with the Kansas Department of Commerce to be afforded the limited liability through signage.
Below is a list of applications and additional publications:
For more information, please contact Becki Rhoades at (785) 296-1847 or brhoades@kansascommerce.com.