AGRITOURISM Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
- Committees
- Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Dec 9, 2025
Bottom line
The bill establishes a dedicated Agritourism Advisor within the USDA to centralize and enhance federal support for agritourism, aiming to boost rural economies and farm diversification.
What it actually does
This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to designate a senior official within the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development to serve as the Agritourism Advisor. This Advisor will be responsible for encouraging and promoting agritourism activities and businesses across all States and on Indian Tribal lands, coordinating efforts within the Department of Agriculture and with other federal agencies to support this sector.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that agritourism offers significant financial, educational, and social benefits to communities, including supplemental income for agricultural enterprises, economic development in rural areas, and the preservation of agricultural heritage. Establishing a dedicated Agritourism Advisor will streamline federal resources, provide technical assistance, and ensure a comprehensive approach to maximizing these benefits.
Opponents contend
Direct opposition to this bill is unlikely, as it aims to support an existing industry without imposing new regulations or significant costs. However, potential critics might argue that creating a new advisory position could lead to increased administrative overhead without a clear demonstration of added value beyond existing USDA programs, or that it represents an unnecessary expansion of federal bureaucracy.
The bill is short and clearly written, making it highly accessible for a reader to understand its provisions and implications within a short timeframe.
Section 3, adding Section 237(b) to 7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.
Establishment of the Agritourism Advisor Position
This provision mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture designate a senior official within the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development to serve as the Agritourism Advisor. This designation ensures a dedicated federal point person is responsible for agritourism initiatives within the Department of Agriculture, providing a clear leadership role for this sector.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue that establishing a dedicated Agritourism Advisor will provide a focused and consistent voice for agritourism within the USDA, ensuring that the unique needs and opportunities of this growing sector are adequately addressed and integrated into federal policy and programs.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against the creation of an advisory position, though some might generally question the necessity of adding new roles if existing staff or departments could absorb the responsibilities, citing potential for increased administrative costs.
Tradeoffs
The primary tradeoff involves balancing the benefits of dedicated leadership for agritourism against the potential for increased administrative costs or redundancy with existing departmental functions.
Section 3, adding Section 237(c) and (d) to 7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.
Duties and Means of Achieving for the Agritourism Advisor
This section outlines the comprehensive responsibilities of the Agritourism Advisor. These duties include actively encouraging and promoting various agritourism activities—such as educational experiences, outdoor recreation, entertainment, direct sales, and accommodations—across all U.S. states and on Indian Tribal lands. The Advisor is also tasked with coordinating with USDA agencies, advising the Secretary, updating programs, conducting outreach to stakeholders, facilitating interagency cooperation, improving business planning resources, and consolidating access to federal assistance for agritourism businesses.
This subsection technically amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 by redesignating an existing section 225 (7 U.S.C. 6925), which relates to the Food Access Liaison, as section 224A.
Section 3(b)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to prevent numbering conflicts when new sections are inserted into existing law, ensuring the U.S. Code remains organized and coherent. It is not intended to be evasive.
Case for: The case for this amendment is purely administrative: it ensures proper statutory organization and avoids confusion in legal referencing, which is essential for the clarity and functionality of federal law.
Case against: There is no substantive case against a technical renumbering amendment, as it does not alter policy or create new obligations.
Estimated impact: The impact is administrative, ensuring correct legal referencing within the U.S. Code. It has no direct policy or fiscal impact.
This subsection makes a conforming amendment to section 296(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)), adding the authority of the Secretary to carry out the newly established section 237 (the Agritourism Advisor section).
Section 3(c)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to ensure that the Secretary of Agriculture has explicit legal authority to implement the new Agritourism Advisor role and its associated duties, maintaining consistency across related statutes. It is not evasive.
Case for: This amendment is crucial for legal clarity, ensuring that the Secretary's authority to establish and support the Agritourism Advisor role is explicitly recognized within the broader framework of USDA's organizational act.
Case against: There is no substantive case against a conforming amendment that merely clarifies the Secretary's authority to implement a new, approved program.
Estimated impact: The impact is administrative, clarifying the legal authority for the Secretary to implement the new Agritourism Advisor role. It has no direct policy or fiscal impact.