Tag Archives: Agritourism

Agritourism rules dust-up highlights need for better engagement, say Senate ag leaders

Washingtonians continue to cope with the COVID-19 impacts often made worse by unclear, inconsistent and hastily drafted executive orders. The most recent victims of such rushed rules were agritourism businesses.

Late last week, the governor’s office issued rules that essentially shut down the industry, while letting other similar activities take place elsewhere. Farms would have been forced to shutter other attractions such as mazes, hayrides and even letting visitors see animals. Thanks to pressure from industry groups and agritourism businesses, the state reversed course and issued amended rules. Now, leaders on agricultural issues in the state Senate are highlighting the need for increased engagement and a more thoughtful approach.

“This isn’t the first time that the executive’s office has gone far beyond what makes sense,” said the ranking member on the Senate’s ag-related committee, Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake. “Though well-intentioned, the outreach from the governor’s office isn’t there, nor the understanding just what the impacts will be on hardworking families. I’m glad that there has been some resolution for this important part of our state’s agricultural industry, but it shouldn’t have happened to begin with.”

The updated guidance applies only to counties in Phases 2 and 3. Industry groups are still waiting for clarification from the governor’s office on how agritourism can proceed in counties currently in a modified Phase 1. Seemingly safe outdoor farm activities would still not be permitted even with safety protocols in place in Yakima, Benton, Franklin, Chelan and Douglas counties.

“The people in our state deserve consistency,” echoed Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, the Senate Republican Floor Leader. “It doesn’t make any sense to shut down family farms trying to make a living but allow the same activities in other places. My hope is that the governor’s office does a better job actually engaging with people who are going to be impacted by his decisions, rather than this confusing process we’ve experienced.”

Senators Jim Honeyford, Warnick, and Short continue to push for the Legislature to reconvene and comprehensively address the state’s post-COVID recovery. Facing a budget shortfall of more than $3 billion, legislators have grown increasingly concerned with executive overreach and spending decisions.

“The governor needs to provide fair and common sense agritourism rules for modified Phase 1 counties. There’s no reason why corn mazes and animal viewing can’t be done safely and responsibly by our farmers,” said Honeyford, R-Sunnyside. “The arbitrary nature of these rules highlights why legislators ought to be in Olympia in some form to provide oversight. Too many important decisions are being made with zero legislative input that affect our constituents’ mental and physical health, and the health of our local economies. The people we represent deserve to have their voices heard on these decisions. That’s our job.”

Governor signs Warnick agritourism legislation

Friday, Gov. Jay Inslee signed legislation sponsored by Sen. Judy Warnick to limit liability for agricultural businesses that open their operations to the public for agritourism activities. Senate Bill 5808 received near-unanimous approval in the Legislature.

“The new law gives needed clarity to our ag-producers when they open their operations to the public,” said Warnick, R-Moses Lake, chair of the Senate agriculture committee. “Farms can now be better protected when they share the valuable work they do with their neighbors in a fun and safe environment.”

Kittitas County, in Warnick’s district, is home to at least 15 such agritourism operations. Twenty other states have similar laws aimed at clarifying and limiting liability for agritourism, which provides millions of dollars to the local economies in Washington.

“We needed this clarification to help family farms be more economically viable, engage with broader audiences, and have some protections when they are acting responsibly,” Warnick added.

The new law goes into effect July 22.

Warnick agritourism bill garners Legislature’s approval

Sen. Judy Warnick’s legislation to limit liability for ranchers and farmers engaged in agritourism activities cleared its final legislative hurdle Monday. Minor changes made to Senate Bill 5808 by the House of Representatives received near-unanimous approval from the Senate. The measure now goes to the governor to be signed.

“Agritourism, in the form of opening up farming operations to the public, represents an increasingly popular and viable revenue stream for our agricultural producers,” said Warnick, R-Moses Lake, chair of the Senate agriculture committee. “Farm work can be dangerous, and this bill clarifies liability when they open up their operations to the public to cut down their own Christmas trees, or pick their pumpkins for Halloween.”

Twenty other states have similar laws aimed at clarifying and limiting liability for agritourism. The industry provides millions of dollars to the local economies. Kittitas County, in Warnick’s district, is home to at least 15 such agritourism operations.

“Getting insurance for these kinds of activities can be unduly expensive,” said Warnick. “We need this clarification to help family farms be more economically viable, engage with broader audiences, and have some protections when they are acting responsibly.”

Warnick agritourism legislation approved by Senate

Bill would expand protections for agricultural producers who host tourists

Today the state Senate approved Senate Bill 5808, sponsored by Sen. Judy Warnick, chair of the Senate agriculture committee, that would limit liability for ranchers and farmers engaged in agritourism activities. The legislation was approved 42 to 6 and goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“We want to promote our agriculture industry and agritourism as a great way for people to learn more about where their food comes from, and create better understanding of the life of our agricultural producers for those in urban communities,” said Warnick, R-Moses Lake. “Life on a farm is hard, sometimes dangerous work, and this bill clarifies liability when they open up their operations to the public to cut down their own Christmas trees, or pick their pumpkins for Halloween.”

Public testimony on the legislation indicated that in Kittitas County alone there are at least 15 such agritourism operations, providing millions of dollars to the local economy. Twenty other states have similar laws on the books aimed at clarifying and limiting liability for agritourism.\

“Insurance premiums for this industry have become very expensive, increasing by 400 percent in two years,” said Warnick. “We need this clarification to help family farms be more economically viable, engage with broader audiences, and have some protections when they are acting responsibly.”