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Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Protection of Over 2,000 Acres of Ranchland Through Rural and Family Lands Protection Program

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the protection of over 2,000 acres of Florida ranchland through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. With today’s approval by the Governor and Cabinet, approximately 2,101 acres of working agricultural lands will be preserved through a cost-effective rural land protection easement totaling $8,195,000. Rural land protection 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 approval to partner with Syfrett Ranch to preserve over 2,000 acres of productive ranchlands through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is a triple win for the state,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “These rural land protection easements strengthen our food security though the protection of prime agricultural land, keep the protected property on the local tax rolls, and require every property owner to maintain the land and its natural resources according to state standards.”

Once finalized, this project represents the 70^th Rural and Family Lands Protection Program easement, with nearly 100,000 acres preserved through the program.

Syfrett Ranch

Syfrett Ranch is a cow-calf operation in Highlands County and Glades County. The easement consists of approximately 2,101 acres, is located along the C-41A canal, and is part of the Lake Okeechobee Watershed. The project site is enrolled in the FDACS' Best Management Practices program and is located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

Established in 2001 with the passage of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Act, the program recognizes that working agricultural lands are essential to Florida's economic future. Agricultural lands are being increasingly threatened by urban development. To counter this trend, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program partners with farmers and ranchers to ensure sustainable production practices while protecting natural resources.

Commissioner Simpson recently highlighted the historic interest in the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and the results of the 2023 application cycle. Landowners from over 180 properties – representing over 200,000 acres – submitted new applications to be considered for funding. Today, the Governor and Cabinet also formally approved the program’s project acquisition list, which ranks over 250 eligible properties for acquisition.

Commissioner Simpson has been involved in Florida’s land conservation policy issues long before becoming Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture. As Senate President, Commissioner Simpson championed the successful passage of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act, which directed the state of Florida to better protect and connect Florida’s natural areas and wildlife habitats and to preserve working agricultural lands from future development. As Senate President, Commissioner Simpson also secured $300 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

A story map of all completed Rural and Family Lands Protection Program projects can be viewed here: FDACS.gov/RFLPPMap.

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.

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