The Senate Study Committee on the Preservation of Georgia’s Farmlands, chaired by Sen. Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro), has adopted its final report, offering recommendations lawmakers say will “support and preserve Georgia’s farmland.”
Created by Senate Resolution 470 during the 2024 Legislative Session, the committee was charged with exploring ways to address the challenges facing Georgia’s agricultural sector, with input from experts in agricultural economics, tax policy, land management and environmental law.
In addition to Hickman, who is also Vice Chair of the Senate Economic Development Committee, the Farmland Preservation Study Committee included:
- Sen. Jason Anavitarte
- Sen. Brandon Beach
- Sen. Jason Esteves
- Sen. Russ Goodman
- Sen. Freddie Powell Sims
- Sen. Sam Watson
Committee members met across the state to hear testimony from various members of the agriculture community. Five meetings were held Statesboro, Clarkesville, Moultrie, Cedartown and Atlanta and lawmakers heard testimony on conservation use valuation assessment (CUVA), alternative siting for solar farming, disaster relief and farmland preservation policy.
The final report was not published with the announcement Tuesday, but TheGeorgiaVirtue.com requested a copy from the Senate Press Office. You can read the complete report here.
A summary of the findings and recommendations include:
- Expanding efforts to relieve tax burdens on farmers and farm communities to make farming financially viable across all regions of Georgia.
- Increase the maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation as a bona fide conservation use property from 2,000 acres for a single owner to 4,000 acres. This will require a state constitutional amendment, similar to SR 670, proposed by Senator Sam Watson in 2024, as well as enabling legislation
- Reform CUVA to remove a limitation that prohibits leased properties from qualifying for the preferential assessment. This will require legislation similar to HB 1052, proposed by Representative Chas Cannon in 2024.
- Continue state financial investments in the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund to better leverage USDA matching grants.
- Continue seeking new opportunities to accelerate cuts to the state income tax or return surplus funds to taxpayers
- Remove sunset on 2023 legislation relating to truck weights and allow additional truck weight capacity under that law to be used for more products.
- Establishing a state-level disaster relief package for farm and rural communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
- In addition to relief loans, this could include expanding the state tax credit that is based on receipt of state and federal disaster assistance funds.
- Advocating for a federal Farm Bill that incentivizes farmland conservation.
- Expand farmers’ access to credit
- promote a level playing field for farmers to compete with foreign producers
- provide adequate crop insurance and disaster assistance for farmers affected by adverse weather events
- support agriculture research
- continue assistance for rural development
- Increasing state investments in workforce development initiatives to support rural Georgia’s future.
- Continue the state’s investment in Georgia Grown and the Georgia Grown Innovation Center.
- Supporting opportunities for farm-based education in school systems statewide.
- to increase awareness of the importance of farming to the state and national economy and promote agriculture as a career choice
- Direct one or more state agencies to determine how many acres of Georgia land currently have solar energy projects on them and to provide annual reporting to the General Assembly and the public as to the growth of farmland utilization for solar power generation.
- Expanding rural veterinary services to bolster cattle, dairy and equine operations.
- Continue working with cities, counties, school systems, and development authorities to study incentives for new housing and economic development projects to preserve existing farmlands and consider the impact of new development on farms.
- The state should also study additional measures to incentivize development along existing infrastructure patterns and redevelopment of existing properties when new growth opportunities arise.
- Promote technical education for agriculture and water and resource management.
- Provide for a North Georgia Hay Specialist through the University of Georgia extension service and continue investments in innovation and support services provided by the extension services.
- Explore either amending the Constitutional Gratuities Clause or any existing exceptions to the Clause.
Senator Billy Hickman, who chaired the committee and is also the Vice Chair of the Senate Economic Development Committee, said this of the findings:
“These findings are the culmination of nearly four months of valuable discussions and input from Georgia’s farming community. Our recommendations aim to ensure that Georgia’s farmland, the backbone of our economy and culture, is preserved for future generations. We must continue to invest in rural communities, provide critical disaster relief and support farmers by reducing tax burdens and expanding opportunities for education and workforce development. I’m grateful to the committee members, legislative staff and the many experts and community members who contributed to this effort.”
Lawmakers are paid a per diem daily rate of $247 when they meet for study committees, plus reimbursement of expenses.
The 2025-26 legislative session begins in January.
