As an agri-business owner in Washington County, I recognize the potential of our agricultural spaces not only in producing quality local foods but also in contributing to Maryland tourism.  A shared perspective among many agri-business owners in the county view our current laws as out-of-touch and aim to see our farms thrive in new, dynamic ways. 

Some deregulation of agricultural-related activities would promote the locally-grown movement in a way we all would like to encourage it- small-scale but high-quality and in a creative manner which offers diversity in products and services provided back to the community.  

Current laws in Washington County require strict limitations on agricultural events and activities as well as agricultural structures by forcing them adhere to commercial code, which limits farms from utilizing their spaces for agritourism.  Our county has numerous farming properties which could benefit greatly from these changes. 
 
We respectfully request that legislators revise Washington County planning and zoning policies to: 

*Deregulate Agriculturally Themed Events – Lets encourage rather than strictly limit. Examples of these events include bouquet-building workshops, farmer's markets, farm-to-table dining, and goat yoga.  
* Legalize Farm Stays which offer a more hands-on and small-scale, seasonal option to enjoy the rural countryside.   Popular platforms like HipCamp and Harvest Hosts attract visitors who will contribute to our local niche economy by visiting area towns and businesses.   
* Deregulate Agricultural Structures – Current laws force ag buildings in good condition to adhere to commercial code, impeding farms from freely allowing their spaces to be utilized for agritourism. Such spaces, we suggest, should be exempt from needing to get a building permit to be used for agritourism. 
 

Allowing these changes would enable agripreneurs like me to use our space creatively, enhancing not just farm and local small business but also the community's identity as a destination for agritourism.

 Personally, for my farm, this could mean transforming an old carriage house into a floral studio where customers could experience the joy of floral design by attending an on-farm workshop in the studio while spending the weekend enjoying the farm and neighboring towns.   

Agritourism is growing in the US with an increase of almost 42% from 2012 to 2017, as reported by the USDA. This shows its potential as a profitable and sustainable form of tourism. If Washington County can deregulate agricultural structures and activities in a beneficial and conservative way, we could tap into this growth, benefitting our local economy while continuing to maintain community support.
 
**We urge the law-makers of Washington County to consider this appeal. Allow farmers to use our agricultural structures for agritourism, bring more travelers directly to our farming operations and allow us to GROW and enrich the local economy.  

And, we ask our Washington County community, please sign this petition and support this change.  ..Its long overdo in Washington County as much of the state is already supporting these changes.   

Thank you for listening, Erin 

We ask you to vote YES to Senate bill 580. 
Mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/sb/sb0580F.pdf