July 2025
The 2025 legislative session was a standout year for Florida agriculture—fueled by decisive legislative leadership, the unwavering commitment of Commissioner Wilton Simpson, the strong approval of Governor Ron DeSantis, and the relentless advocacy of Florida’s farmers, ranchers and agricultural champions.
Legislative Wins
Health Coverage by Nonprofit Agricultural Organizations
SB 480 by Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R–Indian Rocks Beach) and HB 497 by Rep. JJ Grow (R–Inverness)
We are proud to share that Governor DeSantis signed SB 480 into law, marking a historic milestone for Florida’s agricultural families. This legislation enables the Florida Farm Bureau to offer tailored health coverage options to farmers and ranchers—meeting a long-standing need in our industry.
We’re grateful for the unwavering leadership of Sen. DiCeglie and Rep. Grow and for the dedication of our members, whose advocacy was instrumental in making this achievement possible. Special thanks to Governor DeSantis for recognizing the importance of this legislation and moving it forward.
Florida Farm Bill
SB 700 by Sen. Keith Truenow (R–Tavares) and HB 651 by Rep. Kaylee Tuck (R–Lake Placid)
Governor DeSantis also signed the historic Florida Farm Bill into law—one of the most comprehensive legislative packages for agriculture in recent years. This bill strengthens protections for Florida-grown products, facilitates housing for legal agricultural workers, and invests in youth programs through Department-sponsored dues.
We thank Rep. Tuck, Sen. Truenow, Rep. Alvarez, Commissioner Simpson, and the many stakeholders who supported this effort. This legislation is a major step forward for Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
Ad Valorem Tax Exemption (Joint Resolution)
SJR 318 by Sen. Keith Truenow and HJR 1215 by Rep. Alvarez
After years of advocacy, we are thrilled that the Legislature approved this key measure. The joint resolution paves the way for a 2026 ballot initiative that would exempt agricultural equipment from the burdensome tangible personal property (TPP) tax.
While this marks only the beginning, securing legislative approval was a major milestone. The next step is voter education and engagement to achieve the required 60% support at the ballot box in 2026.
Priority Policy That Fell Short
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Reform
HB 1133 by Rep. Jason Shoaf (R–Port St. Joe)
HB 1133 aimed to restructure the FWC Board regionally and align officer authority with other law enforcement agencies. While this bill did not receive the Governor’s approval, it elevated important discussions around accountability and consistency within the Commission. We anticipate continued work on this initiative in future sessions to address concerns and refine the approach.
Overview of the 2025-2026 Budget
Total State Budget: $117.4 billion
Key Priorities:
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)
• Rural & Family Lands Protection Program: $250 million ($200 million recurring)
• Marketing of Florida Agricultural Products: $19 million
• Regional Water Projects: $20 million recurring
• Disaster Recovery Loan Program: $40 million
• Animal Industries Lab Study (IFAS): $1 million
• Reforestation Efforts: $4 million
• Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs): $40 million
• Forestry Equipment & Land Management: $35 million total
• Agricultural Restoration Projects: $20 million
• FDACS Conner Complex: $170 million to modernize facilities, expected to save $50 million annually in lease costs
Youth Agricultural & Education Programs
• Florida 4-H (Camp Cherry Lake): $5.6 million
• Farm Bureau Career Education Pathway: $92,500
• CAPE Certifications: Continued support for industry credentials
University of Florida – IFAS
• NFREC Marianna Expansion: $2 million
• AI Research Center: $2.2 million
• IFAS Workload Support: $3.5 million
• Animal Sciences Research: $2.275 million
• Microbiology Studies: $3.5 million
• Fertilizer Rate Study: $4 million
• Cattle Enhancement Board: $4.5 million
Citrus Industry Support
• Citrus Research & Replanting: $100 million
• Packing Cost-Share Program: $10 million
Farmers Feeding Florida / Feeding Florida
• $38 million to enhance partnerships between Florida farmers and food recovery organizations, improve access to fresh produce for food-insecure communities, and strengthen both farm viability and hunger relief.
Final Note
The 2025 legislative session delivered meaningful progress and historic wins for Florida’s agriculture community. With strong collaboration between state leaders, industry advocates, and grassroots supporters, we secured vital investments that will benefit our farms, ranches, rural communities, and future generations.
We are proud of the role our organization played in these successes and look forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead.