Farmers need to explain to legislators why a proposed cap on property taxes is bad public policy, according to Indiana Farm Bureau President Don Villwock.

“I don’t know what more I can say or do to get you motivated enough – no, make that angry enough – to call your state legislators,” Villwock said, speaking at the IFB convention during his annual address to members. “We need to let them know we think it is extremely unfair to treat classes of property taxpayers differently.”

Villwock was referring to a proposed constitutional amendment that would eventually cap taxes on homesteads at 1 percent of assessed value, farmland and rental property at 2 percent of assessed value, and business property and personal property at 3 percent.

“I ask you, why is a $200,000 house any different than a $200,000 piece of farmland?” Villwock said. “Why should homeowners, who demand all of the local services that are paid for by our property taxes, get all of the relief? They are the ones using all these services.” Meanwhile, Villwock said, “Our bare farmland, which requires few if any services, gets no relief. Remind your representative or senator that the property tax reforms passed last year are untried and the results are still unknown.”

“With today’s unstable market, is it wise to lock in an unproven concept by amending it into our state Constitution?” Villwock also talked about how important it is for farmers to remember that all of agriculture needs to stand up for each other. “We are supplying the world with the cheapest, most nutritious and safest food, feed, fiber and fuel,” he said. “We can do it all if we stick together,” he added.