The Prince George’s County Council is advancing a new effort to promote local wineries, farms, and agritourism destinations through targeted marketing, partnerships, and tourism initiatives.

The County Council’s Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee this week advanced two resolutions that would encourage greater coordination among agricultural, tourism, conservation, and economic development organizations while launching a new Prince George’s County Agritourism and Winery Promotion Pilot Program.

The initiative, introduced by Council Members Tom Dernoga and Wala Blegay, includes an initial $50,000 investment to increase public awareness of local wineries and agricultural destinations. The funding could support promotional materials, signage, events, and other activities designed to attract visitors and bolster the County’s agricultural and tourism sectors.

The resolutions also encourage partnerships among organizations, including the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, University of Maryland Extension, the Soil Conservation District, and Destination Prince George’s.

The proposal reflects a broader trend among Maryland counties to support agriculture not only through traditional land preservation programs, but also through economic development and tourism strategies that help farms remain financially viable.

Agritourism has become an increasingly important part of that effort. Farm tours, wineries, seasonal festivals, educational programs, pick-your-own operations, and other agricultural experiences can generate additional revenue while introducing residents and visitors to local agricultural businesses.

Counties support those efforts in several ways. Local governments make land-use and zoning decisions that accommodate agritourism activities, promote agricultural destinations through tourism programs, invest in supporting infrastructure, and administer local tax structures that recognize the importance of preserving working farms and agricultural land.

The General Assembly has also enacted legislation over the years to support agritourism and help farmers diversify income streams. Counties have generally supported those efforts while advocating for local flexibility and fairness in applying statewide policies across Maryland’s diverse agricultural communities.

Agricultural operations, tourism markets, transportation networks, and neighboring land uses vary significantly from one county to another. As a result, MACo encourages lawmakers to provide tools and flexibility rather than impose one-size-fits-all requirements that may not reflect local priorities and community input.

The Prince George’s County proposal follows that approach. Rather than creating new mandates, the resolutions focus on partnerships, promotion, and targeted investments designed to build on existing agricultural assets and increase visitation to local farms and wineries.

If approved by the full County Council, the pilot program would add another local tool for supporting agriculture, tourism, and economic development while highlighting the growing role agritourism plays in many Maryland communities.

Visit the Prince George’s County Council website for more information.