Tourism Through Fields Of Green
Blegay Seeks To Increase Agritourism in County
For generations, the rolling fields, family farms and vineyard rows of Prince George’s County have represented a quieter but deeply rooted part of the county’s identity. While much attention is often focused on development along the beltway, another economic engine continues to flourish in the county’s rural south: agriculture and agritourism.
That engine may soon receive a significant boost.
Wala Blegay has introduced Council Resolution CR-39-2026, a measure designed to strengthen agritourism by encouraging partnerships among local farms, wineries, economic development organizations and educational institutions. The legislation seeks to expand public awareness of the county’s agricultural destinations and attract more visitors from across the Washington metropolitan region.
“Prince George’s County is home to so many amazing local farms, farm-based businesses, wineries, and other forms of agritourism,” Blegay said in announcing the resolution. “The problem is, not enough people in our county, or throughout the DMV region, know about them.”
The proposal calls on organizations such as the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, the University of Maryland Extension, the Prince George's Soil Conservation District and the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation to collaborate on initiatives that promote farm tours, wineries, seasonal festivals and farm-to-table experiences.
Agritourism already contributes millions of dollars annually to Prince George’s County. The county’s farms, wineries, pumpkin patches, equestrian centers and harvest festivals draw tens of thousands of visitors each year, supporting local businesses and generating an estimated $15 million to $20 million in annual economic activity through visitor spending, product sales, and hospitality-related purchases.
Industry experts say a coordinated marketing campaign and infrastructure improvements could significantly increase those figures. Over time, stronger promotion, better signage and enhanced visitor amenities could potentially double agritourism revenues, creating new jobs and expanding opportunities for family-owned farms to remain economically viable.
The timing is especially significant as wineries such as Clyopatra Winery & Vineyard and other rural attractions continue to invest in Prince George’s County.
For Blegay, the legislation is about more than tourism. It is about preserving a century-old agricultural legacy while transforming it into a vibrant economic asset for future generations. In a county known for innovation and growth, the countryside may prove to be one of its most promising frontiers.
