Frederick County Council Votes Down Two Bills On With Agricultural Tourism

They would have put some regulations on ag tourism activities.Frederick, Md (KM) Two bills dealing with agricultural -tourism in Frederick County were voted down by the County Council on Tuesday. The vote was three-to-four on both pieces of legislation with Councilmembers Brad Young, Kavonte Duckett, Steve McKay and Mason Carter voting no;  and Councilmembers Jerry Donald, M.C. Keegan-Ayer and Renee Knapp voting in favor.One would have restricted the number of days farm buildings could be used for agri-tourism to 120 days per year.The second piece of legislation would have put some regulations on agri-tourism activities. It defined ag tourism activities as farm tours, hayrides corn mazes, seasonal petting farms, farm museums, pumpkin patches and cut-your-own or pick-your-own produce. It also would restricted fruit and vegetable cannons between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Fireworks must end by 9:00 PM, and amplified music can only take place between 1:00 PM and 8:00 PM.These bills ran into strong opposition from local farmers who operate agricultural tourism activities.These two bills were put together based on recommendations from an agri-tourism work group put together by the County Executive.By Kevin McManus