U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) have introduced the Accelerating the Growth of Rural Innovation and Tourism Opportunities to Uphold Rural Industries and Sustainable Marketplaces (AGRITOURISM) Act. The bipartisan bill aims to support economic development in rural areas by improving access to federal resources such as loans, grants, broadband, and educational programs for small family farmers.
Senator Budd emphasized the importance of agritourism for sustaining farms after natural disasters. “Agritourism is essential to keeping working farms afloat, especially in the aftermath of natural disasters. Without it, many of North Carolina’s farms would have been forced to cease operations following Hurricane Helene. I’m proud to lead this legislation alongside Senator Wyden to streamline federal resources for North Carolina’s booming agritourism industry,” said Senator Budd.
Senator Wyden highlighted the challenges faced by small family farmers. “Small family farmers are the backbone of our country’s agricultural sector. There’s no question that the federal government needs to step up and support family farmers at a time when most are operating on a shoestring budget and barely making ends meet. Our bipartisan legislation would give family farmers much-needed resources to not only survive, but grow and thrive,” said Senator Wyden.
The bill was also introduced with support from Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). In the House of Representatives, companion legislation was introduced by Dan Newhouse (R-Wash-04) and Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.-10).
The AGRITOURISM Act has received endorsements from several industry groups including the Brewers Association, American Craft Spirits Association, and WineAmerica.
If enacted, the legislation would designate a senior official at the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a federal agritourism advisor. This position would coordinate efforts with stakeholders and other agencies to promote growth among family-owned farms and provide guidance to the Secretary of Agriculture regarding agritourism.
Agritourism has become an important part of rural economies across the United States by allowing family farms to diversify through activities such as beer tasting, berry picking, seasonal events, bed-and-breakfast accommodations, and hosting venues for gatherings.
