Simpson Announces the Protection of 13,371 Acres of Ranchland Through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program By Morning AgClips

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the protection of of 13,371 acres of Florida ranchlands through the the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. With today’s approval by the Governor and Cabinet, approximately 13,371 acres of working agricultural lands will be preserved through cost-effective agricultural conservation easements totaling $36,754,000. Agricultural conservation easements prevent future development of the land and allow agriculture operations to continue to contribute to Florida’s economy and the production of food, timber, and other resources vital to the prosperity of Florida.

“Today’s partnerships with Buck Island Ranch and Adams Ranch protect over 13,000 acres of agriculturally productive, economically significant, and environmentally rich Florida ranchlands,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “These partnerships also represent a historic moment for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, as nearly 100,000 acres of working agricultural lands, and their economic and environmental benefits, have been preserved for future generations. I appreciate Governor DeSantis and my fellow Cabinet members for their support of this program and the preservation of these critically important lands.”