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 6,200 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 was built by generations of farmers and ranchers who worked the land, cared for it, and passed it on better than they found it. That legacy is worth protecting,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “These properties aren’t just acres on a map. They’re family operations that produce food, support jobs, protect water resources, and provide vital habitat for Florida wildlife. I’m grateful to Governor DeSantis and my fellow members of the Florida Cabinet for continuing to support this mission. With today’s approval, more than 6,200 additional acres or working agricultural land will remain in production and protected from future development, ensuring Florida’s rural heritage remains a part of our future, not just our past.”
Since its inception, the department’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has permanently preserved over 240,000 acres of working agricultural land, with nearly 175,000 acres preserved during Commissioner Simpson’s administration.
Source : fdacs.gov