U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), who serves as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Agritourism Caucus, has expressed his support for the introduction of a Senate companion bill to his AGRITOURISM Act. The Senate version was introduced by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ted Budd (R-NC).
“I thank Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ted Budd (R-NC) for introducing the companion to my legislation for the first time in the Senate. I look forward to working with my House and Senate colleagues to pass this legislation to support our agritourism farmers and contribute to the resiliency of small-town America. Agritourism is a booming industry in Virginia and critical to our local economy. From wineries to ranches, breweries, distilleries, and farm stands, our farmers deserve dedicated resources within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make sure they have everything they need to be successful,” said Rep. Subramanyam.
The Accelerating the Growth of Rural Innovation and Tourism Opportunities to Uphold Rural Industries and Sustainable Marketplaces (AGRITOURISM) Act was introduced earlier this year by Rep. Subramanyam on a bipartisan basis. The proposed legislation aims to establish an Office of Agritourism at the U.S. Department of Agriculture that would advocate for agritourism businesses in federal policy decisions. It also seeks to streamline access to federal resources such as loans, grants, and broadband programs for these businesses.
The bill reflects ongoing efforts at both the House and Senate levels to address challenges faced by family farmers engaged in agritourism across rural America.
