Wisconsin farms, of all sizes, struggle to make ends meet every year, and many don't make it. In fact, the state loses more than 3 farms a day due to market pressures, rising input costs, consolidation, and urban development. It added up to a loss of 6,272 family farms between 2017 and 2022. The US Department of Agriculture also confirmed that farm income would record a 25% decline for 2023-2024. That trend continues.

But there is hope! This petition asks you to support a strategy that will help meet two needs: sustainable income for farmers, and the public's rising demand for over-night stays on working farms. 

More and more small-scale farmers are looking for new ways to remain economically viable. Instead of getting big or getting out, many are implementing agricultural tourism to generate critical revenue for today, and for the future. Agritourism helps rural businesses as well.

Public demand for on-farm experiences is climbing, and requests for opportunities to spend the night on a farm, known as farm stays, are increasing as well. Unfortunately, Wisconsin farm stays are discouraged by heavy licensing processes. This has got to change.

As small-scale farmers in Wisconsin, my husband and I have welcomed hundreds of visitors to our farm, Bull Brook Keep, for pasture walks, classes and other events. These guests are enthusiastic, curious, and eager to connect with farmers and the land. Many drive hours and from other states, and numbers have asked about camping overnight - enjoying a farm stay. Due to current laws, this is not possible for us, or for hundreds of other Wisconsin farmers.

A farm stay would mean operating one small campground on our property, with a maximum of three campsites. This would be a very workable solution that would add to visitors' on-farm experience, while providing needed income.

Interestingly, farm stays are not a new idea. Nearby states and foreign countries are creating policies and incentives for farmers to expand their agritourism activities, and to include overnight camping. Why? Because it contributes to the rural economy, enhances agritourism, and allows urban dwellers to experience an agricultural way of life. 

An effort was made to achieve this change in 2023, thanks to the efforts of Wisconsin Senator Rob Stafsholt (Senate Bill 319), then-Representative Gae Magnafici (Assembly Bill 328), and other sponsors. We ask the Wisconsin legislature to take up and pass this legislation in 2025. It would serve to meet public demand and help Wisconsin farmers increase their revenues during these challenging economic times.

With more than 58,500 farms covering about 13.8 million acres, the rural economic development potential for Wisconsin is significant (USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2023). We believe that voting for farm stay legislation will add value not only to our farms, but to rural businesses such as gas stations, health care facilities, beauty salons, cafes, thrift stores, and more. It would also help bridge the gap between our rural and urban communities.

We are Wisconsin family farmers, and supporters. By signing this petition, we express our strong support for this legislation to be passed in this session. We support farm stays on  Wisconsin working farms as a way to promote a better future for our state's farming and rural business communities.