Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces State Approval to Protect Over 2,800 Acres of Working Agricultural Land

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that the Governor and Cabinet, sitting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, have approved the preservation of more than 2,800 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.

"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," said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. "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."

Since its inception, the department's Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has permanently preserved over 230,000 acres of working agricultural land, with over 165,000 acres preserved during Commissioner Simpson's administration.

Both properties approved today are enrolled in FDACS Best Management Practices and are located 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.

The Governor and Cabinet approved rural lands protection easements for the following projects:

Square One Ranch

Square One Ranch is a 1,500-acre cattle ranch in Highlands County. The approved easement is for approximately 1,500 acres for $6,100,000, with $2,000,000 being provided through the U.S. Air Force Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program. The ranch consists of pasture and natural forested uplands with a patchwork of natural unforested wetland inclusions. Several wetlands reserve program easements lie adjacent to the property. A small tributary of Fisheating Creek bisects the property. The ranch is enrolled in the FDACS Best Management Practices program and is entirely located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

Buckhorn Ranch

Buckhorn Ranch is a 1,326-acre cattle ranch for $5,300,000 on Buckhorn Creek in Hardee County located west of Charlie Creek within the Upper Charlie Creek sub basin which is part of the larger Peace River drainage basin which flows west into Charlotte Harbor. The property is primarily composed of improved pasture, with patches of sod, citrus and areas rotated as row crops along with some natural areas. The ranch is enrolled in the FDACS Best Management Practices program and it is entirely located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

In addition to today's protection of agricultural lands, Commissioner Wilton Simpson voted to approve a 450-acre conservation easement within the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Florida Forever Project in Volusia County. Located within the Ocala to Osceola Wildlife Corridor, preservation of the property will safeguard against future development. The property also lies within a wildlife corridor of the Florida Ecological Greenway Network.

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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