WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined Senate colleagues to introduce the Accelerating the Growth of Rural Innovation and Tourism Opportunities to Uphold Rural Industries and Sustainable Marketplaces (AGRITOURISM) Act, bipartisan legislation to support the economic development and growth of agritourism businesses in New Mexico and nationwide.
“New Mexico family farmers and rural communities have been hit hard by Trump’s tariffs and affordability crisis. We need to do everything we can to support and expand opportunities for these New Mexicans,” said Heinrich. “I’m proud to cosponsor legislation that will give family farmers much-needed resources to not only survive but also grow and thrive.”
From McGinn’s PistachioLand in Alamogordo to Los Poblanos Inn and Organic Farm in Albuquerque, Agritourism is an important and growing business strategy for small farms in New Mexico to diversify their income streams by offering outdoor recreational services like beer tasting, berry picking, seasonal festivities, bed-and-breakfast accommodations, and event venues. New Mexico farmers generated over $20.3 million in revenue in 2022 from agritourism, up from $18.6 million in 2017. However, without action, the number of participating farms is diminishing: the number of farms providing agritourism and recreational services in New Mexico has gone down from 465 in 2017 to 326 in 2022.
The AGRITOURISM Act will support local, family-owned businesses by designating a senior official at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the federal agritourism advisor. This role will coordinate with stakeholders and other federal agencies to promote the growth of family-owned farms and advise the USDA Secretary on this essential industry.
The AGRITOURISM Act is led by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C). Alongside Heinrich, the legislation is cosponsored 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.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.). The House companion legislation is led by U.S. Representatives Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.) and Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.).
The AGRITOURISM Act is endorsed by the Brewers Association, American Craft Spirits Association, and WineAmerica.
The text of the bill is here.
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