Agritourism on the Rise: Ensuring Safe and Sustainable Farm Venues

As agritourism transforms farms into hubs for entertainment and education, legal and compliance questions remain. 

Agritourism is evolving as farms increasingly diversify their offerings to include entertainment and educational activities to boost income while preserving rural character. However, legal definitions and tax considerations are being examined as agritourism expands beyond traditional activities like hayrides and petting zoos to include weddings, concerts, and other ventures that blur the line between agriculture and commercial use.

Experts discussed these trends at the University of Maryland’s 10th annual Agriculture and Environmental Law Conference. Experts emphasized that agritourism should remain an accessory used to produce agriculture. They also highlighted the importance of liability protections and evolving state and local laws addressing marketing, land use, food licensing, and property tax treatments.

Stephanie Jones, a Queen Anne’s County planner, shared how agritourism has grown substantially, supported by the county’s comprehensive plan. The plan promotes agritourism to preserve rural life, expand farm-based businesses, and increase direct farm sales. It also calls for zoning updates and regulatory adjustments to support the industry’s growth while maintaining consistency. The next steps in Queen Anne’s County include a study on land use policy, an economic report, and recommendations for policy changes, demonstrating a proactive approach to integrating agritourism with rural preservation goals.

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At the 2024 MACo Winter Conference affiliate session, “From Fields to Festivities: Navigating Environmental Health in Farm Venues,” an esteemed panel of state and local experts will explore the unique environmental health needs of event-based farm businesses, and the role local governments play in ensuring compliance. The 2024 MACo Winter Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, MD from December 11-13. This year’s theme is “Anticipate, Adapt, Achieve: Thriving Through Turbulent Times.”

Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference: