In 1993, Ronks farmer Jack Coleman was struggling to make a decent profit with his herd of 60 dairy cows and was looking for extra income.

He read a magazine article about Midwestern corn mazes and the rise of "agri-tainment" — the blending of traditional farming with entertainment.

The result was Cherry Crest Farm, a 37-activity site complete with a corn maze with 2½ miles of trails, plus slides, animals and numerous opportunities to learn about farming. It is completing its 13th season Saturday.

As elementary school students from Coatesville wandered the property, Coleman was joined Wednesday by local politicians and agriculture representatives to talk about legislation that will be introduced next year to help farmers more easily set up agri-tainment ventures.

"It's an honor to be able to teach kids about agriculture," Coleman said. "It's really missing in our society now — the knowledge of agriculture and what it means to their lives."

State Sen. Mike Brubaker and state Rep. Bryan Cutler unveiled legislation that would protect farm owners from civil liability in cases where no party is at fault in venues such as Cherry Crest Farm.

Brubaker said many of the activities involved in the agri-tainment industry are not covered by customary farm liability policies, making it difficult for farmers to get the necessary insurance needed to start the new business.

"Agri-tainment activities involve inherent risks that are impossible to eliminate," Brubaker said. "It is only reasonable that those who choose to participate in these activities should assume some of the liability on a voluntary basis."

Cutler and Brubaker worked with the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau to draft the legislation, largely at the suggestion of Coleman.

Brubaker said more farmers are finding additional revenue sources for their farms through the rise in agri-tainment.

He said it is essential to keep agriculture in Pennsylvania for economic, social and aesthetic reasons, and he pointed to Coleman's endeavor as an example of the ingenuity of a local farmer to stay viable.

Cherry Crest Farm annually brings tens of thousands of visitors from all over the country and world, Coleman said. There is a world map on the property dotted with colored pins marking the homes of attendees.

Coleman said the agri-tainment site he built has not only allowed his 300-acre farm to stay profitable and grow into a beef cow and calf and 250,000 broiler chicken operation, but he also is able to teach the public about life on the farm in an entertaining fashion.

Gary Swan, director of governmental relations and communications of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, said the increasing numbers of sites such as Cherry Crest are part of the agri-tourism push going on in Pennsylvania, especially in Lancaster County.

Swan said farmers are known for taking risks, from the planting season to harvest time, but the risk of starting a business for which it is hard to get insurance is even greater. He said the legislation will allow farmers to better manage the risk and have an additional income source.

"There are things that farmers can't take risks with, and that is the uncertainty in a litigious society, knowing that despite their best efforts they could open themselves up to literally losing the farm because of some kind of a happenstance that could occur in an enterprise like this," Swan said.

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