‘Farmers and ranchers, when given the opportunity, want to preserve their land and way of life.’
A program designed to protect rural lands is getting more applications from Floridians than ever before.
Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced Monday more than 500 landowners have applied for conservation easements Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP). That represents about 600,000 acres of land valued at an estimated $2.1 billion.
“Florida’s working agricultural lands are under increasing pressure from development, and this record-breaking application cycle shows that farmers and ranchers, when given the opportunity, want to preserve their land and way of life,” Simpson said in a news release.
RFLPP partners with farmers and ranchers to secure easements that block future development while allowing agricultural operations to continue. The program was established in 2001 and has since preserved an estimated 224,000 acres of land.
“Florida agriculture is worth defending, and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program gives our farmers and ranchers a viable path to keep their land protected and productive for generations to come,” Simpson said.
Since becoming Agriculture Commissioner, Simpson has secured about $700 million in state funding for the RFLPP. Prior to holding that post, Simpson was Senate President and championed other conservation projects such as the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act, which increased protections for natural environments and habitats throughout the state.