agritourism

Last week, the Washington state Department of Agriculture announced it was offering grants to small agriculture-related businesses that have suffered economically due to the pandemic, and have been left out of earlier relief programs. The WSDA’s Laura Raymond said the Relief and Recovery grants are a joint effort with the state Department of Commerce, are intended to help businesses in four secto

For the first time in 20 years, the top three on the list of industries viewed most positively by Americans are 1.) farming and agriculture, 2.) the grocery industry, 3.) restaurants. Betsy Huber, president of the National Grange, says this is very encouraging news ...

As we look ahead to 2021, David Flaherty with the Washington state Wine Commission takes a look at what marketing opportunities exist for the local wine industry. If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia... Read More ...

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has released new guidance that will permit agritourism activities this fall for counties in a modified Phase One. The five counties currently under a modified Phase One, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin and Yakima, will be able to offer corn mazes, hay wagons, fire pits and more, similar to counties that are currently in Phase Two and Three counties ...

In late August, Governor Jay Inslee issued a coronavirus proclamation specific to the agritourism industry across Washington. And within hours the farm community cried foul. Many took issue with the fact that not only would this proclamation shutdown many farms just as the agritourism season starts to ramp up, but also pointed out that similar activities in other economies were not prohibited by

While the Washington economy continues to cope with the coronavirus pandemic, many in the farming sector feel they were unfairly targeted by Governor Jay Inslee. Late last week, the governor’s office issued rules that many say essentially shut down the agritourism industry. And ...

The USDA Announce Tuesday 58 grants to help farmers and rural businesses to reduce energy costs.  The grants, awarded in 17 states and Puerto Rico, are provided through the Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP.  Congress allocated $50 million for REAP grants and loan guarantees in 2019.  Tuesday’...

We're close to reaching the peak of agritourism season, what with corn mazes, pumpkin patches, Christmas trees, etc. and some businesses are still unsure of whether they should jump in on agritourism.   Executive Director of the World Food Travel Association Erik Wolf said the Columbia Basin has a great selling point to food tourists.  ...

A new law was passed by the Washington State Legislature that provides some protections to farms and other ag businesses that also participate in agritourism.   Washington State Farm Bureau Government Policy Director Tom Davis said the bill will provide extra protections against frivolous lawsuits.  ...

What makes a farmer decide to get into the agritourism game?  Well, for Jim Jamison of Jamison U-Pick Cherries in Richland, it’s a mater of passion.  Jamison, who grew up on a large farm in Nebraska started farming outside of Richland in the mid-1980s.  But, he says ...