November 6, 2026 | By Josh McGill
Florida Farm Bureau Federation President Jeb Smith says the defeat of Amendment 2 in Tuesday’s general election was disappointing, but he remains hopeful that agricultural property tax relief could return to voters in the future.
In an interview with the Southeast AgNet Radio Network, Smith discussed the narrow failure of the proposed agricultural equipment tax exemption, the organization’s priorities heading into the 2027 legislative session, uncertainty surrounding the next federal farm bill and the financial pressures facing Florida farmers and ranchers.
Despite those challenges, Smith expressed optimism about the agricultural industry’s ability to weather difficult economic conditions, emphasizing the importance of strong federal safety nets and continued advocacy for producers.
Listen to the Full Interview: Jeb Smith, Florida Farm Bureau President
Southeast AgNet Radio Network | Interview with Josh McGill
Amendment 2 Falls Short Despite Majority Support
Amendment 2 would have exempted qualifying agricultural equipment and other tangible personal property used in agricultural production or agritourism from annual property taxes.
Although the measure received approximately 58.25% support, it fell short of the 60% approval required to amend Florida’s Constitution.
Smith said the outcome was frustrating, particularly because he believes many voters did not fully understand the proposal or its potential benefits to Florida agriculture.
“I’m disappointed. I was hopeful that we would get to the 60 percent threshold,” Smith said.
He suggested that confusion surrounding the ballot language, along with another property tax proposal appearing on the same ballot, may have contributed to the result.
According to Smith, Florida agricultural producers collectively pay an estimated $31 million annually in tangible personal property taxes.
He explained that farmers can continue paying taxes on older equipment, including machinery that is no longer actively used in production.
Smith said eliminating those recurring expenses could have helped farmers retain more operating capital at a time when production costs remain elevated.
Despite the defeat, he believes the issue will eventually return to voters. Because the exemption would require a constitutional change, another statewide vote would be necessary.
Smith did not identify a specific election cycle for another attempt, saying the organization would need to consider the most favorable timing.
Florida Farm Bureau Looks Toward 2027 Legislative Session
With the election behind them, Florida Farm Bureau is preparing to establish its policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
Smith said the organization recently completed its annual convention and expects to finalize its priorities during a December board meeting.
Although those priorities have not yet been formally established, he identified several continuing concerns for Florida agriculture, including agricultural labor, federal farm policy and farmland preservation.
One program he specifically highlighted was Florida’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which helps preserve working agricultural lands through conservation easements.
Smith said Farm Bureau hopes to see continued funding for the program following what he described as a successful year.
Agricultural labor also remains a major concern, particularly as producers continue struggling with workforce availability and rising employment expenses.
Smith pointed to federal agricultural workforce legislation as an area where Farm Bureau has supported efforts to address the industry’s labor challenges.
Another emerging policy issue involves federal funding for domestic aquaculture and commercial seafood production. Smith said Florida Farm Bureau may pursue policy language intended to ensure that funding opportunities for wild-caught seafood do not come at the expense of domestic aquaculture producers.
Farm Bill Uncertainty Continues Following Midterm Elections
The next federal farm bill remains another major priority for Florida Farm Bureau.
Congress has struggled to complete a new comprehensive farm bill to replace the legislation originally enacted in 2018, creating continued uncertainty for agricultural producers.
During the interview, Smith expressed hope that lawmakers could reach a bipartisan agreement during the lame-duck session before the new Congress takes office in January.
He said discussions involving agricultural leaders from both parties could provide an opportunity to move legislation forward before the end of the year.
However, Smith acknowledged that failure to complete a farm bill during the current Congress could require lawmakers to revisit major policy disagreements, including those surrounding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
For Florida agriculture, the stakes extend beyond traditional commodity programs.
Smith emphasized the importance of agricultural safety nets that support a broad range of producers, including specialty crop growers who face significant financial risks from weather disasters, market disruptions and rising production expenses.
Rising Costs and Farm Financing Among Biggest Concerns for 2027
Looking ahead to the next growing season, Smith identified inflation and rising agricultural input costs as some of the greatest challenges facing Florida farmers.
He said those expenses are increasing financial exposure for agricultural operations and raising concerns among lenders.
As a result, some producers may find it more difficult to secure the operating capital needed to finance another growing season.
Smith expressed particular concern for younger farmers and ranchers, who may have fewer financial resources available to absorb losses or withstand prolonged periods of reduced profitability.
The challenges extend across multiple agricultural sectors.
Smith noted that row crop producers continue facing difficult economic conditions, while the cattle industry has experienced its own challenges involving trade and market conditions.
However, he expressed optimism about continued consumer demand for beef and the opportunities that could create for cattle producers.
He also identified the proposed Buy American Cotton Act as a potential opportunity for cotton growers, depending on whether the legislation advances in the new Congress.
Smith Encourages Farmers to Remain Optimistic
Despite the uncertainty surrounding agricultural policy and farm profitability, Smith said Florida Farm Bureau’s recent annual convention demonstrated that producers remain committed to finding solutions.
He acknowledged that agriculture is experiencing a particularly difficult period but encouraged farmers to focus on surviving the current economic challenges.
“We’ve all been through dips in markets and dips in profitability, and I think, this one will pass,” Smith said.
He stressed that securing a new farm bill and maintaining effective agricultural safety nets will be important to helping producers remain financially viable.
Smith said those protections should extend to specialty crop producers as well as traditional commodity growers, ensuring that Florida agriculture has an opportunity not only to survive difficult conditions but eventually return to profitability.
The full conversation with Smith, including his reaction to Amendment 2 and outlook for Florida agriculture, is available in the interview audio above.
For more agricultural news and interviews, follow the Southeast AgNet Radio Network.