895.524 Participation in an agricultural tourism activity; limitations on civil liability, assumption of risk.

(1) Definitions. In this section:

(a) “Agricultural tourism activity" means an educational or recreational activity that takes place on a farm, ranch, grove, or other place where agricultural, horticultural, or silvicultural crops are grown or farm animals or farmed fish are raised, and that allows members of the general public, whether or not for a fee, to tour, explore, observe, learn about, participate in, or be entertained by an aspect of agricultural production, harvesting, or husbandry that occurs on the farm, ranch, grove, or other place.

(b) “Agricultural tourism provider" means a person who operates, provides, or demonstrates an agricultural tourism activity.

(c) “Participant" means an individual, other than an agricultural tourism provider, who observes or participates in an agricultural tourism activity.

(d) “Property" means the real property where an agricultural tourism activity takes place and the buildings, structures, and improvements on that real property.

(e) “Risk inherent in an agricultural tourism activity" means a danger or condition that is an integral part of an agricultural tourism activity, including all of the following:

1. The surface and subsurface conditions of land and the natural condition of vegetation and water on the property.

2. The unpredictable behavior of wild, domestic, or farm animals on the property.

3. The ordinary dangers of structures or equipment ordinarily used where agricultural, horticultural, or silvicultural crops are grown or farm animals or farmed fish are raised.

4. The possibility that a participant in an agricultural tourism activity may act in a negligent manner, including by failing to follow instructions given by the agricultural tourism operator or by failing to exercise reasonable caution while engaging in the agricultural tourism activity, that may contribute to the injury to that participant or to another participant.

(2) Immunity from liability.

(a) Subject to par. (b), an agricultural tourism provider is immune from civil liability for injury to or the death of an individual who is participating in an agricultural tourism activity on property owned, leased, or managed by the agricultural tourism provider if all of the following apply:

1. The participant is injured or killed as a result of a risk inherent in an agricultural tourism activity.

2. The agricultural tourism provider posts and maintains, in a clearly visible location at each entrance to the property where the agricultural tourism activity takes place or at the location of each agricultural tourism activity, a sign that contains the following notice in black lettering, each letter a minimum of one inch in height, on a white background: “Notice: A person who observes or participates in an agricultural tourism activity on this property assumes the risks inherent in the agricultural tourism activity. Risks inherent in the agricultural tourism activity may include conditions on the land, the unpredictable behavior of farm animals, the ordinary dangers associated with equipment used in farming operations, and the potential that a participant in the agricultural tourism activity may act in a negligent way that may contribute to injury or death. The agricultural tourism provider is not liable for the injury or death of a person involved in an agricultural tourism activity resulting from those inherent risks."

(b)

1. Subject to subd. 2., an agricultural tourism provider is not immune from civil liability for injury to or the death of a participant if any of the following applies:

a. The agricultural tourism provider acts with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of the participant. In this subd. 1. a., “willful or wanton disregard" means conduct committed with an intentional or reckless disregard for the safety of others, such as by failing to exercise ordinary care to prevent a known danger or to discover a danger.

b. The agricultural tourism provider intentionally causes the participant's injury or death.

2. Any person who asserts that the acts or omissions of an agricultural tourism provider satisfy the elements under subd. 1. a. or b. has the burden of proving that assertion by clear and convincing evidence.

(3) Appreciation of conditions and risk of participation in an agricultural tourism activity. A participant in an agricultural tourism activity engaged in on property owned or leased by an agricultural tourism provider who offers facilities to the general public for participation in agricultural tourism activities accepts the risks inherent in the agricultural tourism activity of which the ordinary prudent person is or should be aware.

(4) Effect on related provision. Nothing in this section affects the limitation of a property owner's liability under s. 895.52.

History: 2013 a. 269.