GFB News Magazine
Farmers’ voices & votes matter
by Amelia Holland
Advocacy & Policy Development Specialist
Posted on October 13, 2026 11:19 PM
As Georgia prepares for the Nov. 3 General Election, one thing is certain: the decisions made at the ballot box will have a lasting impact on agriculture and our rural communities. Georgia Farm Bureau's I Farm. I Vote (IFIV) campaign is encouraging Georgians to become informed, engaged and active participants in the electoral process.
Visit www.ifarmivotega.com to see a list of candidates and their stance on the major issues affecting agriculture, view GFB’s election guide and access social media resources and other IFIV tools.
This year's election is significant. Georgians will elect leaders at every level of state government, including our governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, commissioner of agriculture, state school superintendent, commissioner of insurance and commissioner of labor. Every seat in the Georgia General Assembly and many local offices are also on the ballot.
Georgia voters will also choose our state’s 14 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and one U.S. Senate seat. With so much at stake this election, it is essential that the agricultural community remains active in choosing our state leaders.
Another issue of particular importance on the ballot this November is the proposed Georgia constitutional amendment, concerning Georgia's Conservation Use Value Assessment (CUVA) program. The proposed amendment, No. 1 on the ballot, would increase the maximum acreage a single owner may enroll in CUVA from 2,000 to 4,000 acres. This increase helps ensure the program continues to meet the needs of today's farming operations while protecting working farmland. If approved by voters, the change would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Elections are about more than casting a vote; they provide opportunities to engage with the candidates as they travel the state seeking votes. Farm Bureau members have an important role to play by asking questions, raising concerns and sharing the issues that matter most to agriculture.
Whether discussing the financial crisis many family farms are experiencing, private property rights, labor challenges, taxes, or regulatory issues, conversations with candidates help ensure they understand the priorities of Georgia’s rural communities and the policies needed to keep family farms viable for future generations.
The success of agriculture depends on elected officials understanding the importance of a strong farm economy. The profitability and sustainability of Georgia's family farms are influenced by decisions made in Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
By staying informed, engaging with candidates and voting, our members can help shape the future of agriculture and advance policies that protect Georgia’s family farms.
Your vote is your voice. Plan to vote this November. Encourage others to do the same and let your voice be heard. Make sure agriculture is heard this November!
Amelia Holland is GFB’s advocacy & policy development specialist. She may be reached at ajholland@gfb.org or 478.474.0679 ext. 5405.
On Nov. 3, Georgia voters will elect 14 people to represent our state in the U.S. House of Representatives and one U.S. senator. /Photo by Logan Thomas