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a policy for handling it. For example, use a whistle, a cow bell, or a toy that makes an animal sound (moo) to focus everyone’s attention if there is too much background noise.

Set minimum revenue from each tour by either setting the minimum number of students or the minimum revenue you need before doing a tour. Make sure your minimum revenue covers all your tour costs (e.g. staff members, tractor, wagon and driver, hand washing stations, increased insurance premiums, etc.).

Charging $5 per student with a minimum number of paying participants of 15 says that you need a minimum of $75 to host a tour. So, if a group of 10 home-schooled children ask for a tour you can accommodate them but your minimum charge will be $75. For that they can have 15 people come. If more than 15 people come each will be charged $5. A $100 minimum is common with many established farms.

The more children you have in a group, the greater your potential income is. Encourage larger tour groups; 30 to 35 students is ideal. The group is small enough to maintain the students’ attention, hear the tour guide and ask questions. Combine classes in the same grade to create your ideal tour size. Often the school itself will do this to reduce the cost of the bus.

Wagons are commonly used to move tour participants around the farm. A 24’ wagon has a capacity of around 50 and gives fexibility when daycares come with parents and grandparents. To build the wagon yourself expect to pay $1,000 for the wagon chassis and $2,000 for the lumber. Custom built cost is about $5,000.

Hand washing stations are required. It is a good policy for the children to wash their hands before eating and after visiting animal pens, playing in soil, using the washroom, and before leaving the farm at the end of the tour.

Alcohol based gel hand sanitizers, available at any drug store, are an option if hands aren’t soiled but the best way to clean hands is with soap and warm water. Two or three hand washing stations should allow 30 people to wash their hands in a reasonable time. It is more economical to buy portable hand washing stations than to rent them.

The tour should be educational and fun. Hands-on activities for the children increases the element of fun. Start with a high energy activity, particularly if the students have ridden a long way to your farm.

Tie each activity back to the core curriculum for that age group. For example, if the curriculum deals with the environment, talk about the importance of sun, rain, and healthy soil. Show how plants use photosynthesis to take in gases that are building up in our air like carbon dioxide and produce both oxygen that we need to breathe and energy (sugar/starch) that is stored in the plant. The level of sophistication and the terms you use will depend on the age of the students.