Law allows counties to authorize limited agri-tourism events on exclusive farm zoned lands.

El Dorado County’s Ag Commission reported wide variation across agricultural sectors and urged short‑term tools to support struggling wineries, including temporary use permits, tourism‑business‑improvement districts (TBIDs) and ag‑lodging pilot programs to spur visitation and business retention.

Lawmakers held bill 36-0087, which would require a 30-acre government-run orchard on St. Croix, after testimony from the Department of Agriculture, UVI and the Local Food & Farm Council that supported the goal but urged phased implementation, secured funding, farmer partnerships and a data-driven crop list.

After extended debate over statutory limits and ownership, commissioners voted 5‑0 to allocate $600,000 of North Walton tourist development tax reserves toward tractors for a proposed Walton County tractor museum/agribusiness center, directing staff to draft a funding agreement with reverter and performance conditions.

Committee endorses rezoning from R2 to Ag2 for agritourism at 452 Old Cemetery Road.

HB 2129 would broaden authorization and protections for agritourism activities on farmland; agricultural associations and some farmers supported expanded options to diversify farm income, while conservation groups, several county officials and production farmers warned the bill’s broad language could convert productive farmland to commercial venues and undercut local land-use protections.

Commissioners finalize agenda items and discuss quorum for upcoming agritourism hearing.

Planning staff updated the board on progress implementing Envision Washoe 2040 and asked commissioners to confirm a revised list of priorities. Commissioners kept countywide attainable housing first, moved equine business code updates and agritourism higher, and added heat‑mitigation work and dark‑skies as priorities; public commenters representing

Officials propose new definitions and lower regulatory barriers to enhance local farm stands.

Industry, farmers and planning staff discussed expanding allowed food service at agritourism venues, clarifying VDACS vs health‑department rules, and whether to allow food trucks as interim or longer‑term options. Stakeholders favored incentives for local sourcing rather than strict percentage mandates.

Senate fails to pass agritourism bill while advancing multiple education reform measures.

The Soil Conservation District reported 102 new cooperative agreements over two years, nearly 60,000 acres of county farmland (about 40,000 privately owned), and a jump in federal conservation contracts — 78 contracts in 2025 obligating about $1.78 million to local producers. Staff also discussed agritourism zoning challenges and a feasibility study for an Ag & Food Security Innovation Center.

Event organizers in Indianapolis request legal oversight on compliance issues regarding past events.

After hours of testimony about traffic, water and notice, Doña Ana County commissioners conditionally approved a rezoning from low‑density residential to C2 for an 18.35‑acre winery project, excluding a long list of heavy commercial uses; the decision followed a closed‑session deliberation and drew an abstention on the final roll call.

County board focuses on enhancing tourism with new staff and innovative event strategies.

The county accepted a state pass-through grant to host a tourism and business development workshop focused on agritourism, film heritage and voluntourism; staff will open a separate accounting line and perform a budget opening for the unbudgeted revenue.