Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Support Agritourism Businesses in Virginia

Washington, DC – Yesterday, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) and Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced the bipartisan Accelerating the Growth of Rural Innovation and Tourism Opportunities to Uphold Rural Industries and Sustainable Marketplaces (AGRITOURISM) Act. This legislation would create an Office of Agritourism at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to represent the interests of agritourism businesses in federal policymaking and consolidate federal resources to sustain agritourism businesses, such as loans, grants, and broadband connectivity programs. Congressman Subramanyam is the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Agritourism Caucus along with Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC), who is also supporting the legislation.

“Agritourism is a booming industry and critical to our local economy,” said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam. “Farmers across Virginia would benefit from streamlined access to resources, which is why I’m introducing the AGRITOURISM Act to establish a dedicated Office of Agritourism within the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make sure that our local farmers and ranchers have everything they need to be successful.”

“Agritourism is a huge industry in Central Washington, with world-class breweries, wineries, and farmers markets attracting thousands of visitors every year. This legislation gives our local agritourism industries a voice in D.C. and elevates the challenges, and successes, of the industry to the federal level. I commend Rep. Subramanyam for spearheading this effort in support of our local economies,” said Congressman Dan Newhouse. 

“I'm proud to co-lead this bipartisan initiative to strengthen and promote agritourism—a vital part of North Carolina’s economy. Agritourism creates meaningful opportunities for our hardworking farmers to diversify and grow their income, while also offering visitors a firsthand experience of the rich agriculture which defines our state,” said Congressman David Rouzer.

Agritourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the country and has become the lifeblood of many rural local economies. Between 2002 and 2022, income from agritourism businesses rose from $202 million to $1.2 billion. The creation of an Office of Agritourism within the USDA would promote the growth and development of agritourism businesses across the country by giving them a much-needed voice at the federal level, advising the Secretary of Agriculture on agritourism-related policy matters, and ensuring that information about federal resources available to agritourism businesses is easily accessible. 

“Agritourism continues to be a key component of rural economic development and the NAFDMA International Agritourism Association supports the reintroduction of this legislation. We appreciate the awareness it brings to the industry and look forward to USDA's incorporation of agritourism into their service model.  Agritourism is a pathway for saving family farms, and incorporating more generations into a family operation,” said Suzi Spahr, Executive Director of the NAFDMA International Agritourism Association.

The AGRITOURISM Act is supported by Virginia Farmers Market Association, International Agritourism Association (NAFDMA), the Wine Institute, WineAmerica, the Brewers Association, the American Craft Spirits Association, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, the Mount Airy Tourism Development Authority, the Tourism Partnership of Surry County, and Visit Greenville NC.

The legislation is also cosponsored by Representatives Becca Balint (D-VT), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), Josh Harder (D-CA-9), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), and Chellie Pingree (D-MI-1).

The full text of the AGRITOURISM Act can be found here.

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