JEB S. SMITH

PRESIDENT/CEO, FLORIDA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION, GAINESVILLE

Florida Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest, non-profit general agricultural organization. Serving more than 133,000 member families, its grassroots structure ensures the future of family farms and rural communities through its advocacy, community service and agricultural awareness. It employs 50 staff members who support the organization’s mission, “to increase the net income of farmers and ranchers, and to improve the quality of rural life.” Smith has been president/CEO since 2021.

EDUCATION: University of Florida (BS, JD)

FIRST JOB: Working on my family’s potato farm.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: I have always wanted to be a farmer.

MENTEE IMPACT: My favorite impacts have been seeing the youth that I taught years ago come back to visit and share how they are serving God in their lives. Many are serving in their own churches as pastors or volunteers, some own their own businesses, some work in agriculture, one works for the Dallas Cowboys, and I am blessed when they return to reveal the small part I had in impacting their lives for Christ.

PASSION PROJECT: My faith is my passion. In 2005, I founded God’s Way Baptist Church in my hometown of Hastings. We just celebrated 20 years of preaching the Bible and sharing the gospel in our community.

INDUSTRY TREND: In order to address some of agriculture’s most notable challenges, advancements in technology, mechanization and artificial intelligence are imperative. Plant breeding, irrigation advancements, automation and drones are a few examples.