Howard County Paves Way for Increased Agritourism

Oct 16, 2025
By Farms.com

Zoning amendment expands farm flexibility and innovation

Howard County is strengthening its agricultural roots through Zoning Regulation Amendment (ZRA-217), endorsed unanimously by the County Planning Board. The amendment aims to expand agritourism and ensure farming remains a key part of the county’s economy.

The update aligns with HoCo By Design, Howard County’s General Plan that promotes agricultural innovation and sustainability. By eliminating unnecessary restrictions, such as owner-residency requirements on agritourism sites and shared driveway limits, the amendment provides farmers with new opportunities to diversify their businesses.

Farmers will now be able to host festival events for up to three days on holiday weekends and explore ventures such as small-scale agritourism, outdoor stays, and bed-and-breakfasts. These new land-use flexibilities help boost income streams and make farms more resilient in changing market conditions.

“Aligning our zoning code with the policy direction provided by HoCo By Design is an important step toward ensuring the long-term vitality of agriculture in Howard County. By updating our zoning framework, we’re giving farmers the flexibility they need to grow, diversify, and adapt in an industry facing both fiscal and environmental challenges,” said Calvin Ball Howard County Executive.

Local officials emphasized that agriculture remains the county’s cornerstone. Lynda Eisenberg, Director of Planning and Zoning, noted the amendment reaffirms the county’s commitment to its farming community. Councilmember David Yungmann added that agritourism plays a critical role in sustaining future farm generations.

ZRA-217 now moves to the County Council for legislative adoption, marking a major step toward a stronger, more sustainable agricultural economy for generations to come.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-kali9

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.