Sponsors (16)
The bill aims to boost rural incomes and small agritourism businesses through USDA-supported promotion and technical assistance, but does so at the cost of new federal spending, potential regulatory burdens and local environmental pressures, and risks to tribal sovereignty if not carefully implemented.
Farmers and small or family farm owners will be able to earn supplemental income and diversify revenue through promoted agritourism activities (events, direct sales, accommodations), helping keep farms operational and boosting rural economic activity.
Small agritourism business owners and farmers will receive coordinated federal technical assistance, mentorship, and enterprise-development resources (financial literacy, marketing) to grow revenue and market services.
Rural communities, children, and families will gain more educational and recreational opportunities (farm tours, outdoor activities, on‑farm events), increasing tourism and local amenities.
Taxpayers will likely bear increased federal administrative and USDA operating costs to create and staff agritourism roles and programs.
Small farms and agritourism operators may face higher regulatory, permitting, and compliance costs (for lodging, food service, events) as agritourism expands.
Rural host communities and local governments could experience increased infrastructure and environmental pressures (traffic, waste, resource strain) from higher visitor traffic.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Establishes a USDA Agritourism Advisor to promote, coordinate, and provide outreach and technical assistance for agritourism across States, territories, and Tribal lands.
Introduced December 9, 2025 by Ronald Lee Wyden · Last progress December 9, 2025
Establishes a senior Agritourism Advisor position within USDA's Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development to encourage, promote, and coordinate agritourism activities across States, territories, and Tribal lands. Directs the Advisor to provide outreach, technical assistance, program updates, interagency coordination, and consolidated access to federal resources to help farms and rural businesses expand agritourism opportunities. Declares findings about the economic, educational, and community benefits of agritourism and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the new advisory role and related activities within the Department.