County to evaluate agritourism policies

Nelson County:

“In the past decade, the Virginia General Assembly has passed several pieces of legislation that create a more lax environment for agritourism businesses — such as wineries and breweries — in terms of zoning and building regulations. In the same time frame, the agritourism industry has grown throughout the state, including in Nelson County.

Now, in response to such bills, Nelson County staff is in the preliminary phase of drafting proposed amendments to the Nelson County Code that will re-evaluate existing policies in agriculture zones. The proposals are slated to be presented to the Nelson County Board of Supervisors at their May 13 meeting. The proposed amendments are aimed to establish ‘updated zoning policies that respond to the growth and operations of the agritourism industry, and to provide a framework for establishing consistent and efficient land-use decisions,’ said Nelson County Planning & Zoning Director Tim Padalino.

He said in an email Monday that ordinance amendments typically only affect applications submitted after the amendments are enacted and would not affect existing businesses or projects, but ‘that important detail will have to be addressed by the board of supervisors.’”

~Writes Katherine Lacaze of the Nelson County Times

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New bill could impact agritourism

Orange County:

“A new law regarding agritourism could cause some confusion in Orange County. The law, commonly referred to as the Boneta Bill, protects certain activities at agricultural operations from local regulation providing those activities don’t have a substantial impact on the public welfare. Under the new legislation, localities can’t subject agritourism activities, the sale of agricultural and horticultural products or related items, the preparation of foods that otherwise comply with state law and other customary activities to special use permit requirements unless they have a substantial impact on health, safety or public welfare.

Proponents of the bill, which grew out of legislation developed by Thornburg delegate Bobby Orrick and Montross delegate Richard Stuart, say it will increase consumer access to locally produced goods while also giving farmers new markets and a more favorable regulatory climate. The bill is the product of more than a year of discussion by a working group assembled by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore. Virginia Farm Bureau was one of several interest groups participating in discussions. The working group was assembly following a 2013 failed attempt to amend the state’s right-to-farm law.

The new legislation is named after Martha Boneta, a farmer who in 2012 was accused by Fauquier County zoning officials with multiple permitting violations and threatened with fines for activities on her farm, including pumpkin carvings, yoga classes and a child’s birthday party.”

~Writes Gracie Hart Brooks of the Orange County Review

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Fields of Gold Receives Chamber Tourism Award

Central Shenandoah PDC:

“On April 8th, Bonnie Riedesel and Elizabeth McCarty accepted the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Tourism Business award for the Fields of Gold agritourism program.  The awards were given at the Chamber's Annual Business and Awards Ceremony held at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel.  The Chamber awards recognize outstanding individuals, businesses, and organizations in the community.  Awards were presented to: Outstanding Industry; Outstanding Small Business; Outstanding Community Organization; Outstanding Tourism Business; Outstanding Citizen; Outstanding Agriculture Business;Sponsor of the Year; Volunteer of the Year; and Ambassador of the Year.”

~Central Shenandoah PDC

Fields of Gold: February News Letter

Fields of Gold:

“The second edition of the Fields of Gold Insider, a quarterly newsletter created for agribusinesses participating in the Fields of Gold agritourism program was published during February. Filled with information, tips and educational opportunities, the Insider is currently distributed to more than 200 agritourism operators, tourism partners and government agencies.”

~ Central Shenandoah PDC

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Update on HB 268 & 1173

General Assembly:

“The Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday approved HB 268, the companion to SB 51, which has passed the House and Senate and is on its way to the governor for signing. These are the bills which expand various agritourism activities and additional value-added sale, preparation and processing opportunities. The Committee also endorsed the House version of the omnibus stormwater management bill (HB 1173). The bill is identical to the Senate version, SB 423, which passed the House unanimously. Both bills contain an emergency clause, meaning they take effect upon approval by the governor. Recall that the bills allow non-MS4 localities to opt out of establishing and running a local stormwater management program and to have DEQ manage it.”

~ David Blount, TJPDC Legislative Liaison

Agritourism Bill

General Assembly

“Earlier this week, the House approved HB 268, which expands various agritourism activities and additional value-added sale, preparation and processing opportunities. While a number of localities have successfully worked with agricultural operations to expand such opportunities while maintaining local authority, this bill creates a one size-fits-all land use policy regarding agricultural operations and creates inflexibility at the local level. It allows all “usual and customary” agritourism activities unless the activity causes substantial impact on the health, safety, or general welfare of the public, while putting restrictions on local tools such as special permits and exceptions that can be beneficial in assuring proper balance of activities among various land use types. On Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee followed suit by approved a nearly identical, substitute version of SB 51. It will be on the Senate floor for a vote next week.”

~Writes David Blount TJPDC Legislative Liaison