New York State Lost 5,000 Farms Over the Last Decade As Rising Costs Strain Farms Across the Country
Nearly 95% of Farms Across New York Are Family-Owned, Driving a Rapidly Growing Agritourism Industry
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced bipartisan legislation to support family farms and grow agritourism businesses across the country.
Senator Gillibrand’s legislation would support the growth of the agritourism industry by better tailoring federal resources like loans, grants, broadband access, and educational programs that support family-owned and operated farms. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ted Budd (R-NC), Peter Welch (D-VT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) joined Gillibrand in introducing the legislation, and Congressmen Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“With fuel, equipment, and labor costs soaring, our farmers are under extraordinary strain,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Family farms are the backbone of our Upstate economy, and we have to do more to ensure they have the resources they need to thrive. Strengthening agritourism and expanding new opportunities will help keep our farm communities strong and grow our agricultural economy here in New York and across the country.”
“Small family farmers are the backbone of our country’s agricultural sector,” said Senator Wyden. “There’s no question that the federal government needs to step up and support family farmers at a time when most are operating on a shoestring budget and barely making ends meet. Our bipartisan legislation would give family farmers much-needed resources to not only survive, but grow and thrive.”
“Agritourism is essential to keeping working farms afloat, especially in the aftermath of natural disasters. Without it, many of North Carolina’s farms would have been forced to cease operations following Hurricane Helene. I’m proud to lead this legislation alongside Senator Wyden to streamline federal resources for North Carolina’s booming agritourism industry,” said Senator Budd.
The Growth of Rural Innovation and Tourism Opportunities to Uphold Rural Industries and Sustainable Marketplaces (AGRITOURISM) Act would support local, family-owned businesses by designating a senior official in the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the federal agritourism advisor. This role would coordinate with stakeholders and other federal agencies to promote the growth of family-owned farms, and advise the Secretary of Agriculture on this essential industry.
Agritourism is one of the fastest growing industries that serves as a critical lifeline for rural economies nationwide by allowing family farms to offer outdoor recreational services like berry picking, wine tasting, seasonal festivities, bed-and-breakfast accommodations, and event venues.
Agritourism in New York has grown significantly in recent years. Activities such as wine tastings, pick-your-own produce, and hayrides helped nearly 950 farms earn more than $55 million in 2022, representing double the number of farms involved in agritourism and triple the income generated compared to fifteen years prior.
The full text of the legislation can be found here.
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