In an effort to support small farmers in Central Washington, U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) last week introduced a bipartisan bill that would promote the development of agritourism as it expands as an industry across the country.
“Central Washington is proud to be the home of world-class wineries, breweries, farms, dairies, farmers’ markets, and more that all serve as vital parts of the agritourism industry and make our region so special,” said Rep. Newhouse.
The congressman introduced the Accelerating the Growth of Rural Innovation and Tourism Opportunities to Uphold Rural Industries and Sustainable Marketplaces Act, also known as the AGRITOURISM Act, H.R. 5203, along with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA).
The bill would create an Office of Agritourism within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to elevate the voices of agritourism businesses in the federal government. It would also consolidate federal resources, such as loans, grants, and broadband connectivity programs, to help sustain agritourism businesses.
“I am proud to introduce the Agritourism Act to ensure that these local businesses have an advocate within USDA, which will, in turn, help preserve our important agriculture traditions and honor our way of life,” Rep. Newhouse said.
Establishing an Office of Agritourism would provide an advocate for those businesses within the federal government and promote the development of agritourism activities across the country. Citing the most recent Census of Agriculture, Rep. Newhouse’s office noted that agritourism-related income rose to $949 million in 2017 from $202 million in 2002.
“I’ve heard from too many small business owners in our region about how hard it is to get connected with the resources that they need to grow their agritourism businesses, which is why I’m proud to be leading the bipartisan AGRITOURISM Act…,” Rep. Wexton added.
H.R. 5203 is supported by the International Agritourism Association, American Craft Spirits Association, Brewers Association, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, WineAmerica, and Wine Institute.