Florida Agriculture Department Protects 4,500+ Acres Through Land Preservation Program

Florida's Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced today that the state has permanently protected more than 4,500 acres of working agricultural land through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, bringing the statewide total to over 251,000 acres since the program's inception.

The preservation happens through rural lands protection easements that prevent future development while allowing farms and ranches to continue operating and contributing to Florida's economy. Properties remain in private ownership and on tax rolls, avoiding new state costs. Commissioner Simpson said the program represents "smart conservation" that protects Florida's food supply and rural communities without the traditional burden of public land acquisition.

Two Lake County properties were among those approved in today's Cabinet action: Blandford Farm & Ranch, a 349-acre sod and hay operation that secured a $7.5 million easement, and Encore Farms, a 194-acre horse and cattle operation that received a $5.4 million easement. Nearly 186,000 of the program's 251,000 preserved acres have been protected during Simpson's tenure as agriculture commissioner.