Why farms ask you to book
The Ontario government's guidance on visitors to livestock facilities says many important hazards can be carried on contaminated clothing, boots, equipment and vehicles. It advises visitors to call ahead so the farm can prepare, and it says farms should keep a visitor log of names, dates and vehicles.
That guidance is written for livestock farms in Canada, and a vineyard has different risks. The principle is the same, though. A farm is a working place and a food source, and every visitor brings something in from outside.
Plan before you go
- Call or message the farm and agree a day and time. Do not arrive unannounced.
- Ask what the farm's visitor rules are and what you should wear.
- Tell the farm if you have recently been to another farm. The Ontario guidance suggests allowing 48 hours between livestock farm visits.
- Postpone if you are unwell. This is our own request as hosts, and it is simply good manners on a food farm.
What to wear and bring
The University of Minnesota Extension advises a 'clean clothes, clean shoes' approach, especially for guests who have recently visited other farms. Closed shoes are also sensible on uneven ground. Many farms will offer boot covers or ask you to sanitise your footwear.
Bring drinking water, a hat and sunscreen. If you have children, plan to supervise them closely. These are practical comforts, not rules from the sources.
Hygiene on the farm
Minnesota Extension says farms should provide plenty of well-stocked handwashing stations, so guests can clean up regularly. Please use them, especially before and after eating and after touching any animals or equipment.
Ontario advises washing hands before leaving, especially after animal contact. It also says to avoid direct contact with animals unless essential, and to keep vehicles away from animal facilities and feed areas.
Respect the boundaries
Farms often separate visitor areas from working areas. Minnesota Extension recommends a distance of at least 30 feet, and ideally 50 feet or more, between visitors and animal housing, using fences, gates or cones.
On a grape or processing site, the same idea applies to drying areas and packing rooms. Please stay in the areas you are shown, do not touch drying fruit or open containers, and follow the guide's directions. Ontario's guidance asks visitors to follow all reasonable directions from the farm operator.
Food and photographs
Ontario advises visitors not to bring food of animal origin onto livestock premises. On any farm, ask before eating in fields or processing areas, and ask before photographing people.
Why this helps everyone
Minnesota Extension suggests using the visit to explain the farm's precautions and why they protect animals and human health. Done well, a farm visit becomes part of the story of how food is grown. It works best when the visitor and the farm plan it together.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I just drop in to see a farm?
Hazards can arrive on clothing, boots and vehicles, and farms need to prepare, keep a visitor log and plan safe areas, according to the Ontario guidance.
What should I tell the farm before visiting?
Tell them if you have recently visited other farms, and ask about their visitor rules and what to wear.
Are these guidelines specific to grape farms?
No. The sources are written for livestock and agritourism farms, so we have adapted the general principles of clean clothes, clean hands and staying in visitor areas.