Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) this week introduced the bipartisan Accelerating the Growth of Rural Innovation and Tourism Opportunities to Uphold Rural Industries and Sustainable Marketplaces (AGRITOURISM) Act to support economic development and the growth of agritourism nationwide by increasing access to federal resources such as loans, grants, broadband, and educational programs to small family farmers.
“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.
“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.
Senators Budd and Wyden were joined by U.S. 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 introducing the legislation.
U.S. Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-Wash-04) and Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.-10) introduced the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
The AGRITOURISM Act is endorsed by the Brewers Association, American Craft Spirits Association, and WineAmerica.
Read the full bill text HERE.
BACKGROUND
The AGRITOURISM Act would support local, family-owned businesses by designating a senior official at the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the federal agritourism advisor. This role would coordinate with stakeholders and other federal agencies to promote the growth of family-owned farms and advise the Secretary of Agriculture on this essential industry.
Agritourism is one of the fastest growing industries that serves as a critical lifeline for rural economies nationwide by allowing family farms to offer outdoor recreational services like beer tasting, berry picking, seasonal festivities, bed-and-breakfast accommodations, and event venues.
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