Co-authored by Peggy Kirk Hall, OSU Agriculural & Resource Law Program and Wayne Dellinger, OSU Extension Educator in Union County and member of the OSU Ag Safety Team.
The upcoming solar eclipse on April 8 is a rare event that could bring a half-million people into the 124-mile eclipse path across Ohio, according to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. For months, we’ve been hearing about eclipse issues ranging from eye safety to best viewing locations. But for farmers and farmland owners within the eclipse viewing area, the solar eclipse raises unique issues and concerns. Should we take steps to secure the farm? Will it delay our farming activities? What if we have trespassers or want to invite people to the farm to view the eclipse?
With the eclipse quickly approaching, now is the time to address the safety and legal questions it creates for the agricultural community. To provide guidance on these questions, our Agricultural & Resource Law Program partnered with the OSU Ag Safety Team. We offer these five steps farmers and farmland owners can take now to prepare for the solar eclipse:
- Secure the farm property.
- Understand trespass laws.
- Know responsibilities for invited guests.
- Plan ahead for farming activities.
- Be prepared to react to an incident.
For each step, we provide explanations of the concerns and issues that might arise, any laws that apply, and actions farmers and farmland owners can take to reduce their safety and legal concerns. Read the entire article at https://farmoffice.osu.edu/solar-eclipse-2024.
Ohio Agricultural Law Blog 