Florida’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) has received a record number of applications from agricultural landowners seeking to preserve their land from development. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that over 500 applications were submitted, representing more than 600,000 acres valued at over $2.1 billion. This marks a significant increase of over 90% in conservation funding applications since the previous cycle in 2023.
Commissioner Simpson emphasized the importance of protecting Florida’s agricultural lands amid growing development pressures. “Florida’s working agricultural lands are under increasing pressure from development, and this record-breaking application cycle shows that farmers and ranchers, when given the opportunity, want to preserve their land and way of life,” he said. The RFLPP offers a path for farmers and ranchers to maintain their land for future generations.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will review the applications for eligibility before submitting a ranked list to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund for final approval. The program partners with farmers through rural lands protection easements, allowing agricultural operations to continue without state ownership burdens.
Since its inception in 2001, RFLPP has preserved approximately 224,000 acres of agricultural land. Under Commissioner Simpson’s leadership, about 158,000 acres have been protected. He has also secured over $700 million in state funding for the program since 2022, including $250 million in the upcoming state budget.
Simpson has been an advocate for land conservation policies prior to his current role as Commissioner. As Senate President, he supported the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act aimed at safeguarding natural areas and wildlife habitats while preserving agricultural lands.
For more details on completed projects under RFLPP, visit FDACS.gov/RFLPPMap. Additional information about Commissioner Simpson and the department can be found at FDACS.gov.
