Understanding Agritourism: Risks and Recommendations for Goat Farms

1. Valerie A. Koenig, DVM Veterinary Medical Officer USDA APHIS Veterinary Services NahmsGoat 2019Study Agritourism Overview

2. Today’s Presentation • Define Agritourism & describe its growth • Specific focus on the goat industry • Discuss the risks involved • Review risk mitigation recommendations • Summarized key elements of the Compendium • Key areas of the agritourism questionnaire • The “whys” behind this important part of the NAHMS study

3. What is Agritourism? • A specific type of tourism on agricultural operations where the public is invited to tour a farm or partake in farm-related activities for the purposes of education, entertainment, and direct-to-consumer sales • Examples include: • Working farm with petting zoo • Farm tours • Pick-Your-Own • Winery tours & tastings • Corn maze

4. Why Agritourism? • Farmers can market their products directly to consumers • Can be more profitable than selling to retail or other indirect means • Shift in mindset of the American consumer: locally grown/raised, sustainable food, good welfare • Consumers value on-farm experiences • Family activity • Educational opportunity • Confidence in “buying local” “According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 1820, 72% of our nation’s workforce was engaged in agriculture…Today, just 2.1%of U.S. residents are engaged in agriculture.” https://www.agupdate.com/iowafarmertoday/opinion/columnists/farm_and_ranch_life/agritourism-benefits-visitors-and-growing-number-of-farm-hosts/article_36454e6e-a60f-11e8-9e3b-f743c9ba4779.html

5. Agritourism: A Growing Trend • A rapidly growing trend, especially in the West and Northeast 135% 116% 141% Farmers Marketing. 2012 Census of Agriculture, Highlights. USDA NASS.

6. “Providing a bridge where farmers and consumers can unite, agritourism is a way for people to experience life in the country and learn where their food comes from and how it is processed.” “These activities are not just leisurely pursuits; they also have a significant economic impact on the farmers.” https://www.discovercentralma.org/articles/why-agritourism-is-a-growing-trend/

7. “…agritourism provides opportunities for diversification and economic incentives for growers, promotes economic development and helps educate the public about the important contributions of agriculture to the county's economy and quality of life.” https://www.sfchronicle.com/travel/article/Agritourism-helps-make-small-farms-viable-12841230.php http://sfp.ucdavis.edu/agritourism/Case_Studies/agritourSD/

9. Why Goat Farms? • Increased demand and popularity of goat cheese, yogurt, other products • Goat cheese sales “have increased every year since 2011.” • The number of herds has increased “61% between 2007 and 2017.” (USDA NASS) • “The number of milk goats in the U.S. has more than doubled from 1997 to 2012” • Less space demands, mature faster, more progeny than dairy cattle https://www.progressivedairy.com/news/industry-news/in-focus-u-s-dairy-goat-numbers-show-continued-growth; http://extension.msstate.edu/news/feature-story/2014/goats-grow-popularity-farmers-diversify: https://www.hobbyfarms.com/usda-census-goats-farms-goat-products-milk-cheese-soap/

10. 2017537,799 https://www.progressivedairy.com/news/industry-news/in-focus-u-s-dairy-goat-numbers-show-continued-growth

11. Why Agritourism Goat Farms? • Goats are less intimidating in size, thus likely more public interaction • Increasing demand for goat milk and cheese • Consumers want to see where it comes from! • Goat contact-related public health events - significant • Greater risks to naïve publicdue to more frequent closer interaction? Especially with younger children? • Snuggling baby goats… https://www.progressivedairy.com/news/industry-news/in-focus-u-s-dairy-goat-numbers-show-continued-growth; http://extension.msstate.edu/news/feature-story/2014/goats-grow-popularity-farmers-diversify

12. How Can Agritourism Be “Risky?” • Risks from animals to people • Risks to animals from people • Pathogens can be spread in different ways – many routes of transmission! • Can survive on fences, gates, buckets, equipment • Visitors may not be aware of the risks

13. http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/food-poisoning-information/pennsylvania-department-of-health-warns-visitors-to-heaven-on-earth-farm-of-cryptosporidium-outbreak/#.WYix9f8Uldghttp://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/food-poisoning-information/pennsylvania-department-of-health-warns-visitors-to-heaven-on-earth-farm-of-cryptosporidium-outbreak/#.WYix9f8Uldg

14. Addressing Agritourism Risks • “Compendium of Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with Animals in Public Settings” • Developed and updated by NASPHV • Latest edition released in December 2017 • Main topic areas • Infectious diseases related to public setting animal contact • Recommendations for disease prevention Compendium for Animals in Public Settings, NASPHV, JAVMA • Vol 251 • No. 11 • December 1, 2017 , pgs. 1268-1292.

15. Addressing Agritourism Risks (cont.) • The Compendium is thorough in information and recommendations • Understanding the risks to understand the mitigation steps • Sets the “gold standard” for risk mitigation • A variety of farm-ready materials derived from this content • Informational handouts • Self-assessment checklists

16. Compendium Disease Information Highlights

17. Disease Pathogen Overview • Some are present in many livestock species • Ex. E. coli • Some are present in certain ages of livestock • Ex. Cryptosporidia in dairy calves • Most are spread when we don’t even realize it • Microscopic amounts – hand-to-mouth activities • Key Enteric Pathogens (% of human cases): • Campylobacter spp. (17%)Salmonella enterica(11%) • Cryptosporidum spp. (16%)E. coli (STEC) (non-O157 8%, O157 6%) Compendium for Animals in Public Settings, NASPHV, 2017; pg. 1270, http://fulperfarms.com/wp-content/uploads/shop-fulper-farms.jpg

18. Pathogen Discussion • Enteric Pathogens • Mainly Bacteria, Parasites • E. coli, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium • Exposure risk = manure contact or contamination • Non-Enteric pathogens • Mainly bacteria, viruses, fungi • Q fever (Coxiella), Brucellaspp., Orf, Rabies, Ringworm • Exposure risk = many routes! • Depends on system affected (Reproductive pathogen = shedding in birthing process)

19. Pathogen Discussion (cont.) • Key points: • Components of pathogens risk: likelihood of exposure, infectivity, severity of illness in people • Not just manure contamination of concern with public health • Some non-enteric pathogens can be of more concern • Understand where risks are coming from • Helps to prioritize changes to be most effective • Cannot mitigate risk well without that understanding!

20. “My Animals Look Healthy” • Pathogens to people are not always pathogens in animals Healthy-looking animals can still make people sick! Mostly asymptomatic Safe Interactions with Animals at Your Agritourism Business – Minnesota Department of Health

21. Compendium Risk Mitigation Recommendations A Common Sense Approach

22. Knowledge is Key • KNOW who is most at-risk • Young children (<5 years), elderly (> 65 years), immunocompromised, pregnant women • KNOW how disease pathogens are spread • Which animal species can carry which pathogens • Stressed animals can shed pathogens in high numbers • Heat, younger animals, lots of people • Animal stress is not our vision of stress! • Introduction to new animal group, New enclosure with other species Compendium for Animals in Public Settings, NASPHV, 2017; pg. 1277, 1290.

23. Farm Layout – Establishing Areas • Examine your operation for best set-up • Non-animal area • Ok to consume food and drink • Transition area • Handwashing stations • Animal area • No food or drink allowed • Signs to designate areas Compendium for Animals in Public Settings, NASPHV, 2013.

24. Examples of Signage https://safeagritourism.org/resources/ https://www.uvm.edu/vtagritourism/?Page=farm-signage.html

25. Farm Layout – Staffing Needs • Examine best areas to position staff • Are staff needed to guide the public? • If using tour guides: ensure appropriate ratio of visitors to guides • If no tour guides: need to have good signage and traffic flow • Handwashing stations are key areas • *Important Staff Notice* • Staff helping with farm animals should NOT be allowed to serve food • Designate certain employees for farm animals and farm animals ONLY Compendium for Animals in Public Settings, NASPHV, 2017; pg. 1280.

26. Farm Layout – Hand Washing • Placement is key! • Exit of animal areas, near food service areas, restrooms • Needs to make sense for visitors to use it

27. Farm Layout – Hand Washing • Placement is key! • Exit of animal areas, near food service areas, restrooms • Needs to make sense for visitors to use it

28. Farm Layout – Hand Washing • Placement is key! • Exit of animal areas, near food service areas, restrooms • Needs to make sense for visitors to use it

29. Farm Layout – Hand Washing • Placement is key! • Exit of animal areas, near food service areas, restrooms • Needs to make sense for visitors to use it • Visible, easy to understand signage • Hand sanitizer is not a replacement for hand washing

30. The Reality of “Hand Sanitizer” • Effective against many pathogens & effective when used correctly • Use guidelines are for health care settings, not livestock operations • Pathogens can be protected by oils from animal hair coat, dirt • Without proper handwashing, alcohol is NOT an effective disinfectant Compendium, NASPHV, 2017; Appendix 3, pg. 1291. CDC: Show Me the Science – Hand Sanitizer, https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html.

31. Overall Livestock Health • Husbandry practices to decrease animal stress • Ventilation • Stocking density • Interspecies housing arrangements • Public contact areas • Extent of public visitor contact • Time limit? • Documentation of treatments, vaccinations, other health events – insurance & liability

32. On-Farm Protocols • Daily animal health assessments • Protocol in place for animals in public contact areas? • If not, work with veterinarian to create one • Removal of animals with diarrhea, respiratory signs, or abortion to areas with no public contact • Pen or Barn cleaning - reducing environmental contamination • Frequency? Product used? Education on SOP purpose • Staff training on the necessary protocols!

33. Birthing Exhibits • Hot topic – exciting for visitors, risky for farmers • Pathogens of concern: • Q Fever (Coxiellaburnetti) • Leptospira spp. • Brucella spp. • Animal stress concerns • High stress period of production cycle • Potential for more pathogen shedding Recommendations: No contact with newborns or birthing products Well-ventilated area Thorough cleaning & disinfection

34. Agritourism Questionnaire Why it’s important

35. Applying Risk mitigation principles • Focus Areas • Animal contact areas • Where are they? • Who can contact the animals? • Food service area placement • Includes food consumption areas! Picnic tables, etc. • Not near animals, barns, or any temporary pens • Transition in between • Distinctly marked? • Hand washing stations – employee to supervise? Logical to use? Compendium for Animals in Public Settings, NASPHV, 2017; pg. 1281. http://www.steubencountyfarmday.com/sample-locally-grown-food/

36. Examining an Operation – Location? Proximity of cars to animals Hand washing station http://www.steubencountyfarmday.com/free-milk-and-cheese/, http://www.steubencountyfarmday.com/pet-friendly-farm-animals/

37. Parents may not be aware of all the risks! Some signage… Petting/feeding goats Where are the closest handwashing/ sanitizing stations? Food samples in very close proximity

38. Knowledge Needed • Need to better understand: • Knowledge of farm operators and their employees • Ability to self-assess the risks • Risk mitigation practices being utilized

39. Desired Accomplishments • Provide farms with an understanding of their specific risks & risk mitigation measures • Risk understanding better risk mitigation • Understand measures implemented • Effective? • Visitor compliance? • Increased safety and public benefit from on farm experiences!

40. All Pieces of a One Health Puzzle • Farm viability relies on the success of many parts Animal Health Public Health Farm Health

41. Questions?