Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Opening of Application Cycle for Rural and Family Lands Protection Program

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the opening of an application cycle for landowners to apply to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The program partners with farmers and ranchers through rural lands protection easements to preserve working agricultural operations that contribute to Florida's economy and produce our food and fiber. Landowners can now submit their applications online through January 23, 2026. The department will then review the applications for eligibility. More information on the program and the application process can be found at FDACS.gov/RFLPP.

"Florida's working agricultural lands are not just undeveloped fields and pastures - they sustain our economy, support our wildlife, nourish our communities, and protect our natural resources," said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. "Our working agricultural lands are increasingly threatened by development, and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program partners with our farmers and ranchers to ensure these lands are protected and remain productive for generations to come. I encourage landowners to apply and join us in safeguarding Florida's agricultural future."

The program recognizes that working agricultural lands are essential to Florida's economic future. Agricultural lands are increasingly threatened by urban development. To counter this trend, the 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.

Established in 2001 with the passage of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Act, the program has successfully preserved approximately 224,000 acres of working agricultural land, with approximately 158,000 acres preserved during Commissioner Simpson's administration.

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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