Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that the Governor and Cabinet have approved the preservation of more than 2,800 acres of working agricultural land through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
The approval aims to prevent future development on these lands while allowing ongoing agricultural operations. The program is designed to support Florida’s economy by maintaining food production, timber resources, and other vital outputs. According to the official website, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services promotes agriculture, environmental protection, and consumer safety throughout Florida.
“These Rural and Family Lands Protection Program easements represent a lasting investment in Florida’s future, and I was proud to support their approval today (…) By protecting working agricultural lands, we are preserving our food supply, conserving critical natural resources, and supporting the farmers and ranchers who drive our state’s economy – all without adding new costs for taxpayers,” Simpson said.
The two properties approved are Square One Ranch in Highlands County—1,500 acres with an easement valued at $6.1 million—and Buckhorn Ranch in Hardee County—1,326 acres with an easement valued at $5.3 million. Both are enrolled in Best Management Practices programs and are located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. In addition to these approvals, Simpson voted for a conservation easement within the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Florida Forever Project in Volusia County.
The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program was established in 2001 to counter threats from urban development by partnering with farmers for sustainable practices while protecting natural resources. Since its inception, it has preserved over 230,000 acres statewide; more than 165,000 acres were preserved during Simpson’s administration. According to the official website, the department manages extensive state forests spanning over 1 million acres through its Forest Service.
The Commissioner of Agriculture leads the department, advancing initiatives for farmers and consumer protection across all regions of Florida. The department supports community welfare by protecting consumers and environmental resources statewide (official website).
For further details about this announcement or information about completed projects under this program, visit the official press release.
