In this session we will cover how the ADA applies to agritourism, the general requirements for businesses, and a variety of ways in which your operation could be made more inclusive and accessible to your guests.

A large portion of the session will focus on service animals and emotional support animals, including definitions, appropriate fees, on-farm standards, and how to approach guests accompanied by dogs.

Along with the above, we will touch upon other aspects of ADA compliance including the following:

• Physical Barriers / Structures and pathways
• Digital Accessibility (Website/Social Media)
• Paying for ADA Updates & Tax Benefits
• Dispute Resolution

By the end of this session, you will have gained the understanding of the information needed to create a checklist for ADA compliance, and ways to best implement them into your operation.

Jackie Schweichler is a Staff Attorney at the Center for Agricultural and Shale Law at Penn State University. In this role, she provides legal research, analysis, and education on a wide array of issues impacting agricultural law and policy. Her primary areas of focus include liability, agritourism regulation, seed law, pesticide use and compliance, and rural economic development. Ms. Schweichler is also the Director of Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Mediation Program, a USDA- initiative that facilitates alternative dispute resolution for agricultural producers and landowners throughout the Commonwealth. In this capacity, she oversees mediation services addressing matters such as credit and lending, conservation compliance, and farm transition planning.