Pictured: Wedding day at Farmview Event Barn in Berlin, Wisconsin. https://farmview-event-barn.business.site/
The Alcohol Modernization Act is moving through the state Legislature to update some old rules. It expands opening hours for wineries until midnight. And the bill allows brew pubs to operate as stand-alone retail stores.
But there are other provisions that have the agricultural tourism industry paying close attention.
The bill includes some more stringent rules for agricultural venues, such as wedding barns, that the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association argues doesn’t make sense. It would require those venues to have liquor licenses — which may require special zoning — or else get a permit that would only allow six events a year.
Jean Bahn of Farmview Event Barn in Berlin says if the bill passes as written, she would have to get commercial zoning in order to obtain a liquor license.
“My farm and many of our other member farms are in ag land preservation,” she explains, speaking of Farmland Preservation Agreements that keeps land in agricultural use. “We cannot have spot zoning on ag land preservation. I would be restricted to one (event) a month, six a year, and be done.”
Bahn tells listeners that event venues, such as hers, are not providing alcohol illegally. These events are private parties like one you’d have at your own home. She adds that the bill doesn’t have a provision allowing Farmview Event Barn to fulfill its contracts. This means, for example, four of five weddings scheduled in June 2024 would need to reschedule.
“And where do all these other brides and families go?” she asks.
But it doesn’t just impact the bride-to-be. Bahn says it would cause immediate economic turmoil for rural Wisconsin impacting local bakeries, vendors, hotels, caterers… everyone involved in putting on a life celebration.
“Thousands of people across Wisconsin will certainly notice a change when they’re not allowed to hold their private event; when these small rural businesses aren’t getting the business anymore,” she says.
Take Action
WATA opposes AB 304 & SB 332 as written, arguing it needs amended. WATA is asking the Legislature to remove all venue language from these bills and move the bill forward in the best interest of wineries, breweries and distillers.
The association warns that if this bill passes as written, there’s no stopping other sectors of agriculture from getting targeted when it comes to private property rights and zoning.
WATA encourages its members to contact their state senator, oppose the bills as written, and ask for amendments.
As of now, the Committee on Universities and Revenue is not scheduled to hear the bill. No movement will take place until after the Fourth of July holiday.
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