Florida has its own coverage thresholds for agriculture: 6 regular employees or 12 seasonal workers. Compare carriers for farms, nurseries, citrus groves, cattle ranches and horse farms, and get the right farm class codes.
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Last updated · Sources: Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, NCCI, and the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation
Florida agriculture workers' comp: quick facts for 2026
Agriculture is one of Florida's largest industries, including citrus in Polk and the southern interior, tomatoes and vegetables in South Florida, nurseries statewide, cattle ranches, sugar cane, and Ocala's horse farms.
Florida law treats agriculture differently from other industries. Farms need coverage with 6 or more regular employees, or 12 or more seasonal workers. That's a higher threshold than other non-construction businesses.
Farm work has serious risks, including tractor rollovers, machinery entanglement, falls from ladders in groves, livestock injuries, heat illness and chemical exposure. Farm class codes are specific to the crop or operation.
These are the NCCI class codes most often used for agriculture & farming in Florida. Rates shown are 2026 Florida manual rates per $100 of payroll and apply statewide. "Quoted" means the rate for that code is provided with your quote. The right code depends on the work each employee actually does.
| NCCI Code | Classification | Rate per $100 | Premium on $100K payroll* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0005 | Farm — Nursery Employees & Drivers | Quoted | Varies |
| 8810 | Clerical / Office Employees | $0.17 | $330 |
* Includes the $160 expense constant, at a 1.0 experience mod, before Drug-Free Workplace (5%) or other credits. See the full Florida rate table.
Florida agricultural employers need coverage with 6 or more regular employees, or 12 or more seasonal workers. Corporate officers can elect exemption, but exemptions don't cover employees.
For 2026, included officers are rated on a minimum payroll of $33,800 each for construction businesses and $67,600 each for non-construction businesses. Operating without required coverage can lead to a Stop-Work Order and penalties based on the premium you should have paid.
Agricultural employers save by using the most specific farm code for each operation, documenting labor-contractor coverage, adopting tractor and heat-safety programs, earning the 5% Drug-Free Workplace credit, and using Pay As You Go for seasonal harvest payroll. Because every Florida carrier starts from the same manual rates, a specialist who knows your industry can make a real difference in how your policy is classified, credited and audited.
Premium is (annual payroll ÷ $100) × class code rate × experience mod, plus a $160 expense constant. Florida agriculture businesses are commonly classified under class 0005 (Farm — Nursery Employees & Drivers), and the rate for your code is quoted with your application. Office-only staff may qualify for clerical class 8810 at $0.17 per $100 of payroll. 2026 Florida rates decreased 6.9% on average.
Florida agricultural employers need coverage with 6 or more regular employees, or 12 or more seasonal workers. Corporate officers can elect exemption, but exemptions don't cover employees.
Florida agricultural employers need workers' comp if they have 6 or more regular employees, or 12 or more seasonal workers. These thresholds are higher than for other businesses: 1 employee for construction and 4 for other non-construction businesses.
Horse breeding and boarding farms are generally treated as agricultural, so the 6-regular or 12-seasonal employee thresholds apply. Riding schools, show barns and training businesses may be classed differently and could fall under the 4-employee rule for non-construction businesses.
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation can issue a Stop-Work Order that shuts down the business until coverage is obtained and a penalty is paid. The penalty is generally twice the premium the employer would have paid over the prior two years, with a $1,000 minimum, and working in violation of a Stop-Work Order adds further daily penalties. Uninsured employers can also be sued directly by injured workers.
Get a free, no-obligation workers' compensation quote for your Florida agriculture business today.
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