Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Permanent Protection of Farmland in Putnam and Madison Counties

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the permanent protection of nearly 1,450 acres of working Florida agricultural land through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Rural lands 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.

"Florida's future depends on our ability to protect the land that feeds, fuels, and supports our state, and that starts with keeping working lands in production," said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. "At a time when growth and outside pressures are threatening to reshape Florida, this program ensures our agricultural lands stay in the hands of Florida families, strengthens our domestic food supply, and protects the natural resources that make this state strong and self-reliant."

Since its inception, the department's Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has permanently preserved approximately 234,000 acres of working agricultural land, with approximately 168,000 acres preserved during Commissioner Simpson's administration.

The properties are enrolled in FDACS Best Management Practices and are located within the Florida Ecological Greenways Network or within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, which was established in state law in 2021 through the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act as a priority of then-Senate President Wilton Simpson.

Etoniah Creek Tract

Etoniah Creek Tract, an approximately 390-acre cattle and timber operation in Putnam County, has been permanently preserved from development through a rural lands protection easement, totaling $1,130,000. The property is located less than 2 miles east of Etoniah Creek State Forest, and consists of pasture, natural forested uplands, natural forested wetlands, and planted timber. The project provides a riparian buffer to Etoniah creek, which borders the property. To the west, surrounding lands are undeveloped and comprised of similar land cover. To the east, pasture and low-density residential housing is present. About one-third of the property is projected to develop by 2040 in the UF development projections. This property overlaps a strategic corridor within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

Palustris Partners

Palustris Partners, an approximately 430-acre timber operation in Madison County, Florida, has been permanently preserved from development through a rural lands protection easement, totaling $583,000, with $290,000 being provided through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The property consists of extensive mixed hardwood forested wetlands and is primarily composed of stands of longleaf and loblolly pines. There are mature, diverse forested wetlands hosting sweetgum, tupelo, water oak, and bay trees. Gopher tortoises exist in the high portions of the property.

MAS Pines

MAS Pines, an approximately 626-acre timber operation in Madison County, Florida, has been permanently preserved from development through a rural lands protection easement, totaling $589,000, with $294,500 being provided through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's Regional Conservation Partnership Program. With extensive mixed hardwood forested wetlands, the property is primarily composed of stands of slash pine, and the forested wetlands are diverse, featuring oaks, sweetgum, cypress, tupelos, bays, and pines.

About the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program

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.

Rural lands protection easements prevent future development of the land and allow agricultural operations to continue contributing to Florida's economy and the production of food, timber, and other resources vital to the state's prosperity. Additionally, by purchasing development rights through a rural lands protection easement, the program does not impose an additional burden on the taxpayer by having to maintain state-owned lands.

Since 2022, Commissioner Simpson has helped to secure more than $700 million in state funding for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, including $250 million in the 2025/2026 state budget.

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.

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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