The state Senate recently approved three bills, which had been advanced last week by the Senate Judiciary and Appropriations committees, aimed at promoting agritourism activities and protecting dairy farmers.
The first bill, S.B. 819, would authorize activities such as corn mazes, hay rides and farm tours on farms that are part of the state’s farmland preservation program. Currently, agritourism activities are banned in many counties on preserved farmland.
“More farmers are turning to agritourism as a way to supplement farm income, and these kind of events provide a mutual benefit to the community,” Sen. Ryan Aument (R-Landisville), the bill’s sponsor, said. “My goal is to provide uniformity and certainty about the laws governing these activities and protect farm owners who want to host these types of educational and entertaining events.”
Agritourism benefit communities and supplement farm incomes, Aument said.
The second bill, Senate Resolution 382, encourages the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent the misleading labeling of nondairy products, while the third bill, Senate Resolution 384, directs the state’s Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study on initiatives to assist dairy producers.
The dairy industry contributes $14.7 billion to the state’s economy and supports 52,000 jobs, Aument said. The state needs to support our dairy farmers, he said.
Aument sponsored 382 and cosponsored 384.