Call to Action: AGRITOURISM Act
Good Reads: America 250 Fundraising | Analysis on How Tourism Became a Core Economic Engine for Macon | Trump Administration Boost H-2B Visas | Canadian Tourism
Congress is beginning work on a Farm Bill, which authorizes the federal programs for agriculture and rural development. This effort is a reset. Congress has struggled to reach agreement on a Farm Bill for several years, the programs have been operating under short term reauthorizations. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) has reached out to this network to ask for our help in getting AGRITOURISM Act included in the Farm Bill.
Accelerating the Growth of Rural Innovation and Tourism Opportunities to Uphold Rural Industries and Sustainable Marketplaces (AGRITOURISM) Act, H.R. 3470, which would create an Office of Agritourism within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, tasked with advising the Secretary of Agriculture on agritourism-related policy matters, promoting agritourism activities, and ensuring that information about federal resources available to agritourism businesses is easily accessible. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Subramanyam and Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), and Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC).
Rep. Subramanyam has requested that the AGRITOURISM Act be written into the Farm Bill and has received some interest but Members of the Committee are not signing off because they have not heard from their constituents that this is important legislation. We been advocating for this bill for 5 years and this is a strong opportunity to establish dedicated tourism resources with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
We need to weigh in with a target group of Representatives, the House Agriculture Committee, over the next week. Congress is not in session next week, which makes it a good time to flood inboxes with emails and voicemail messages. Check the membership of the House Agriculture Committee to see if your Representative is on the list. If they please call or email them to ask them to support including the AGRITOURISM Act in the 2026 Farm Bill.
Talking points are attached. Let me know if you have questions or get response.
Good Reads
The New York Times reported on the funding raising operation President Trump has put in place for America 250. Note: I’ve been tracking fundraising and sponsorship developments to look for opportunities to request funding for tourism communities.
Georgia Insider took a look at How Tourism Became A Core Economic Engine for Macon — And Where It Is Headed Next. The report is authored by legendary tourism leader Peter Bowden.
New York Times: Trump Officials Move to Double Number of H-2B Guest Visas This Year.
Sierra Sun Times: Nevada US Senator Catherine Cortez Masto Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Tourism Between United States, Mexico, and Canada.
CBS News: Canada travel to Florida dips amid U.S. tensions, sparking new outreach by state tourism leaders
Travel Pulse: Colorado Tourism Bets on Canada Amid U.S. Travel Slowdown